Battery back up for a Desktop PC?

Richard_T_

Ive been suffereing from a series of micro powercuts, where the power goes off briefly for a few seconds, or just flickers then comes back on.
on the odd ocaision however its been off for a couple of minutes.

This ususaly seems to happen when im doing somehting on my P.C has any one got any expeirience of those battery back up packs (UPS) that you can get, do they work, and which one would i need for a desktop P.C.
ive seen prices from £40 to over £300.
I have measured its power requirements, and it usualy pulls around 150 watts when idle, rising to 250 watts at peak ( average is 200 watts )

any recomendations?

j2011

I have measured its power requirements, and it usualy pulls around 150amps when idle, rising to 250 amps at peak ( average is 200amp )

I don't think so, somehow.

victor2

Richard_T_ wrote: »

I have measured its power requirements, and it usualy pulls around 150amps when idle, rising to 250 amps at peak ( average is 200amp )

Do the street lights go dim when you switch it on then?
I think you mean watts.

I've only ever used a UPS to power a server and have always used ones from APC, with their Powerchute software, which will cleanly shut your computer down if the power isn't restored after a set time.
Something like this.
Not too expensive and gives you the added advantage of providing a clean mains supply to the computer. Batteries in them should be good for at least 3 years of normal use.

The example shown is rated at 300VA, so should easily run your computer through most interruptions. I would just power the system through it though, not even the monitor. You can stop working when there's a power outage!

Mista_C

Richard_T_ wrote: »

I have measured its power requirements, and it usualy pulls around 150amps when idle, rising to 250 amps at peak ( average is 200amp )

any recomendations?

I think you may mean Watts?

A UPS is supposed to provide enough time for you to safely power down equipment in the instance of a power failure. Depending on the capacity of the UPS and the number of devices plugged in that time will vary. We used to calculate our needs on the basis of 20 minutes.

If it's just a few minutes at a time then a basic UPS should serve your needs but you will also need to take into consideration that over time the charge capacity of the batteries will diminish.

Richard_T_

j2011 wrote: »

I don't think so, somehow.

should have been Watts, not amps, post edited.

bengalknights

UPS are used within business for allowing time to power down servers etc or turn on generators but they do work.

neilwoods

victor2 wrote: »

Do the street lights go dim when you switch it on then?
I think you mean watts.

I've only ever used a UPS to power a server and have always used ones from APC, with their Powerchute software, which will cleanly shut your computer down if the power isn't restored after a set time.
Something like this.
Not too expensive and gives you the added advantage of providing a clean mains supply to the computer. Batteries in them should be good for at least 3 years of normal use.

The example shown is rated at 300VA, so should easily run your computer through most interruptions. I would just power the system through it though, not even the monitor. You can stop working when there's a power outage!

Are you sure that would run his PC, at idle it would be fine. But he has indicated that at peak power it is running 250w, most UPC only give 60% of the rated VA. so 350va will give 210w.

victor2

neilwoods wrote: »

Are you sure that would run his PC, at idle it would be fine. But he has indicated that at peak power it is running 250w, most UPC only give 60% of the rated VA. so 350va will give 210w.

Good point (it is rated at 350VA, not 300 as I incorrectly wrote). APC do say it can supply a max of 210W, which is usually more than a typical desktop will use. That's partly why I said to only connect the system unit. Worth checking the power consumption again OP, and deciding if you want to carry on working with no power!

spud17

victor2 wrote: »

Good point (it is rated at 350VA, not 300 as I incorrectly wrote). APC do say it can supply a max of 210W, which is usually more than a typical desktop will use. That's partly why I said to only connect the system unit. Worth checking the power consumption again OP, and deciding if you want to carry on working with no power!

Isn't the 550VA from the same link less than £5 more?