An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) has a battery built-in to provide emergency power during an outage. Companies manufacturing UPS usually rate the electrical power their units can provide during a power outage in Volt-Amperes (VA).
The VA rating shows how much electrical power a UPS can supply to all connected devices in an emergency. The higher the VA rating, the more electrical power the UPS can provide. Some UPS units provide 1000 VA while others provide 1500 VA of electrical power.
We will compare the two UPS units and discover the key benefits and limitations of each choice.
Importance of VA Rating
UPS systems rate the electrical power supplied to connected devices in Volt-Ampere (VA). This rating multiplies the voltage provided by the UPS system by the amperes drawn by the connected devices.
A UPS system with a higher VA rating provides more electrical power and is a perfect choice for sustaining more devices in a power emergency. There’s always a need to ensure your UPS system can safely provide the power demanded by the connected devices.
The power demand shouldn’t exceed what a UPS system can provide. Your UPS unit should always have a VA rating that exceeds the combined power consumption of the connected devices. If your devices need a combined power of 800 Watts, the UPS system has to provide 1,000 Watts or more.
How Volt-Amperes Relate with Watts and Real Power Consumption
The volt-ampere (VA) rating shows how much electrical power a UPS system applies to a circuit. However, some of this power is lost because a UPS system doesn’t supply 100% of its electrical power to your connected devices.
VA rating shows the apparent power supplied by the UPS, which includes the power consumed by the connected devices(real power) and power lost due to UPS inefficiencies (reactive power).
If you connect devices drawing a total of 300 Watts from a UPS, the real power consumption by the devices is 300 Watts. However, a UPS loses power when converting battery energy into electrical power.
Most UPS systems have a power factor of less than one (usually 0.8). Real power consumed by your devices is the VA rating multiplied by the power factor. A UPS with a 1000VA rating and 0.8 power factor, it supplies 800 Watts to the connected devices.
Why Choosing the Right Volt-Ampere Rating for a UPS is Important
During a power outage when you still need to power essential devices, you want to avoid overloading your UPS system. Choosing the right VA rating for your needs is very important for a few reasons:
Adequate Power Supply
When choosing between 1000 and 1500VA UPS systems, you have to assess your power needs first. Fewer devices will need a 1000VA UPS system. However, more devices need a more powerful UPS that can sustain the devices throughout the power outage duration.
Optimal Performance in An Emergency
A UPS with the correct VA rating can also provide sufficient power to prevent unexpected shutdown of the connected devices. If you choose the right UPS system, your devices will continue working normally throughout the emergency period.
Cost-Saving Operation
Additionally, a UPS with the right VA rating ensures you avoid paying more money to power your devices in an emergency. Buying a low VA-rating UPS will force you to supplement the UPS power with other UPS systems. Also, purchasing a UPS with more VA rating than needed will make you pay a higher price.
Sensitive Device Protection
Most importantly, a UPS with the right VA rating supplies the required amount of electrical power to sensitive devices like smartphones and laptops. These devices won’t experience power surges, spikes, and power drops that can damage them.
Down to 1000 VA UPS Systems
A 1000VA UPS system provides electrical power in an emergency and protects the connected devices from power surges if power comes back on. These systems provide electrical power in Watts (W), depending on the power factor.
The power factor is the ratio of real power supplied to apparent power. Real power is usable power that the connected devices consume, while apparent power is the sum of real power and power lost due to inefficiencies.
More real power and less power loss result in a power factor close to one. Such a unit can sustain devices for longer because it provides more power in Watts. It’s important to know the power factor of a UPS before buying it to get a system with a higher capacity to provide electrical power.
Key Features of The UPS Systems
Finding the right 1000VA UPS system means looking out for beneficial features of the UPS unit. These are some key features to have in a UPS system:
- Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR): You’ll protect the connected devices from voltage fluctuations to prevent damage. This feature protects sensitive electronics from overvoltage or undervoltage.
- Power Surge Protection: A sudden voltage change (power surge) can damage sensitive electronics like laptops. UPS systems with a surge protector power surge ensure all systems remain online even if power comes back on with sudden voltage fluctuations.
- Electrical Noise Filtration: UPS systems have to provide clean power free of disturbances from radio frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
- User Interface: A UPS system has to have a user-friendly interface for easy control. An LCD screen on your UPS allows you to monitor your power backup system.
Benefits of 1000VA UPS System
You can get the most out of a 1000VA-rated UPS system while spending affordable money to run your system in an emergency. This UPS system has a lower price point than its counterpart rated at 1500VA.
What’s more, this UPS has surge protection and voltage regulation to protect the connected devices. If you own a few light-duty devices like a computer, router, and modem, you can power them to keep your system online in a power outage.
However, this UPS system can’t power heavy-duty devices drawing more electrical power. Since this UPS has a limited power supply, it has a limited runtime.
1500 VA UPS Systems
This UPS unit is more powerful to power devices that require more electrical power to keep online in an emergency. Businesses with servers and communication systems will find 1500 VA UPS systems more useful than 1000 VA UPS units.
Key Features of 1500 VA UPS Units
Usually a more advanced UPS unit, this system has additional features that a 1000 VA unit might not have:
- Standard AC Outlet: You can power common devices like a TV set off a 1500 VA UPS unit since it has several 120V AC outlets.
- Data Ports: These ports can serve important functions like allowing communication between the UPS and the connected device for efficient power management. This connection can also grant you remote control of the UPS system.
- Battery Backup Outlet: The AC outlets can only provide power for a limited time. Battery backup outlets are connected directly to the UPS battery pack to continue providing power to the connected devices for longer periods. You want to connect critical devices like servers to the battery backup outlet to prevent data loss.
Benefits of a 1500 VA UPS
A 1500 VA UPS system provides more electrical power of up to 1000 Watts. As a result, it can power more devices simultaneously. It’s an ideal power backup unit for computers, monitors, routers, and peripheral devices.
Aside from a higher capacity to provide more electrical power, this UPS system boasts a longer runtime. It can support more devices at full capacity for up to 25 minutes. That’s significantly longer than the 9 minutes its smaller counterpart provides at full load capacity.
Since it has battery outlets that provide constant electrical power, it’s an ideal unit for running emergency devices like medical equipment and small servers.
However, this UPS is generally more expensive. It also takes up more space because it features a larger battery. And it’s heavier, too. The UPS system also draws more electricity from a wall outlet because it has additional features.
Comparison of Key Features: 1000VA vs. 1500 VA UPS
Choosing between 1000 and 1500 VA UPS systems requires comparing key features that set them apart.
Power Output and Capacity
A 1500 VA UPS system provides more wattage, usually 1000 Watts while a 1000 VA unit supplies 800 Watts. You’ll need a higher VA rating to power more devices.
Backup Time (Runtime)
The backup time of a 1500 VA UPS lasts well over 20 minutes at full load capacity, while a 1000 VA unit lasts only 9 minutes. You can double the runtime at half the load capacity.
Size and Portability
Your 1500 VA-rated UPS is bigger and heavier as it has a larger built-in battery.
Price Tag
A 1500 VA UPS is more powerful and has a higher price tag. This unit costs between $200 and $400. On the other hand, a 1000 VA UPS costs between $100 and $200.
Which UPS Between The Two Works for You?
Finding a UPS that serves its purpose between the 1000va UPS and 1500 VA UPS depends on considering these factors:
Combined Wattage Consumption
A UPS system has to provide more Watts than the total Watts of the connected devices. If your devices draw a combined Wattage of 600 Watts, a UPS that provides at least 800 Watts is an ideal choice.
The UPS Runtime
The duration of the backup power supply before mains electricity comes back on is also an important consideration. A unit that supplies twice the needed power runs longer than a UPS supplying just what’s needed.
You can either buy a more powerful UPS or connect devices at half the load capacity to get longer runtimes during an emergency.
Budget
You’ll pay more to get a UPS system with a higher Volt-Ampere rating. While trying to buy an affordable UPS, ensure it supplies enough power to supply electricity to your essential electronics.
Since 1000 VA UPS systems are less powerful, they’re ideal for powering fewer electronics and personal devices. 1500 VA UPS systems are a great choice for businesses since they can power heavy-duty devices like servers and communication devices.
Conclusion
Choosing between a 1000 and 1500 VA UPS system comes down to buying the right unit for the job at hand. A 1000 VA UPS provides fewer Watts than what a 1500 VA UPS provides.
That makes the 1000 VA UPS ideal for powering personal electronics and devices like smartphones and a laptop during a power outage. On the other hand, a 1500 VA UPS system provides more power to support many devices and more demanding electronics.
