An Uninterruptible Power Supply’s (UPS) battery backup runtime varies greatly depending on a number of parameters, such as the load attached to the UPS, the battery capacity, and the UPS model.
Important Factors Influencing UPS Runtime
Load
Runtime is directly impacted by the combined power usage of all connected devices to the UPS. For example, a common design for a UPS may provide it ten to fifteen minutes at full load. This is usually enough for orderly shutdowns or to bridge brief outages until a generator starts up.
Battery Capacity
One important factor is the UPS’s battery capacity, which is expressed in ampere-hours (Ah). A UPS with a 14Ah battery set, for example, may run for about 15 minutes at full load (10 kVA/8 kW), but at lower loads, it could run for up to 30 minutes.
Additional Batteries
External battery packs can be added to many UPS systems, which can greatly extend runtime. This is especially helpful for programs that need extended backup durations.
Manufacturer Details
The runtimes of various UPS types vary according to their intended application and design. Runtime calculators and graphs showing how long a unit will last under various load circumstances are frequently supplied by manufacturers.
Common Runtime Conditions
Short Outages
A UPS is often made to supply power for 5 to 10 minutes during brief power outages, giving systems enough time to safely shut down or for generators to start up.
Prolonged Usage
It makes more sense to combine a UPS with a generator rather to relying only on battery power when longer runtimes (such as hours) are required.
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