A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system has many benefits. They will help in case of a power interruption. You can power essential appliances like your light or computer during an emergency. 

Also, these systems will help protect your gadgets from sudden power outages. See the post on the benefits of UPS systems. But what size of UPS is best for you? This will depend on the load. This article will help you choose. 

What Size UPS Do You Really Need?

Calculate the total power consumption (in watts) of the connected devices. Then, add a 25 - 30% safety margin. The result is the UPS power capacity for you, whether at home or in the office. You want a UPS that can last through a short outage or at least give you enough time to safely shut down your gadgets and prevent damage or data loss.

What should you be checking for when choosing the correct UPS size? We see the factors that can help you decide on the UPS size for you, whether it's for business or personal use.

What Is UPS Capacity?

UPS capacity is the maximum load a UPS can handle. The unit for this quantity is Watts (W) or Kilowatts (KW). The VA (volt-amps) unit can also indicate capacity. But VA measures apparent power which is a little higher than the actual wattage. 

This capacity also decides how many devices you can power at once and for how long.

Factors that Can Affect UPS Capacity

You should consider these factors when shopping for a UPS device:

Power Rating

A UPS battery is rated in watts (W) or kilowatts (KW). This is how much load or appliance the UPS can support. It is smart to buy a UPS system with more capacity than you need. This will ensure it accommodates all your appliances. 

Battery Capacity

This is how much energy your battery can store. This measure is linked to your battery's power. The unit of measurement is watt-hour (Wh) or ampere-hour (Ah). A UPS with large capacity is often heavier and costlier.

Device Runtime Requirements

The runtime is how long you wish to keep your devices on during an outage before switching to an alternative power source. Higher capacity UPS units can handle longer runtimes. 

Assessing Power Requirements

You do not want to overload your UPS, or it will be unreliable. To assess your power needs, list all the devices you wish to connect at home or in the office. Ensure the UPS power rating can support the load. Here is how to do so:

Check the Power Needs of Your Devices

Before selecting a UPS for your needs, verify how much power your devices need. 

Identify Critical Devices: What device must always be on? List them out. They could be computers, networking hardware, or your NAS system. Even if the device will only use a little power, list it.

Estimate the Power Need of the Devices: Find out how many watts (W) each device uses. Usually, the manufacturer will include this information in the guide or on the pack. 

Calculating Total Load on the UPS

After gauging your power needs, you are ready for the next steps:

Add up the Power Needs of all the Devices: What amount of wattage can carry your load? Add the power needs of all the devices that you have selected.

Make Room for Potential Power Spikes: During a power spike, a device may use more power. So, we recommend you shop for a UPS that is just over your power needs by 25%. This will accommodate any power spikes when using your appliances at a high capacity.

How to Select a UPS Size

What type of UPS should you buy? This section will help you decide when you go shopping.

Match the UPS Capacity to Your Power Needs

The UPS power capacity should meet your needs. Better still, it should be a little above your power needs. Here is how this will help you:

Ensure the UPS Capacity Carries Your Load: This will give you enough time to turn off the devices. Or you may simply switch to a different power source. When the UPS is not carrying too much load, the battery life will last longer. And as a bonus, the money you will cough up for maintenance will be less.

Allow Future Expansion: You most likely will be interested in expanding your setup in some months' time. If your current UPS capacity exceeds its total load, you won't have to worry about an immediate replacement with a new one.

Considerations for Specific Applications 

Where will you be needing a UPS? This can help you buy the right device. 

Home or Small Office

Some common devices you will find here include printers, routers, monitors, computers, and other small office equipment. They typically require light power and may range between 50W to around 500W, depending on each device's complexity. You can get our 800W-rated UPS for this purpose.

A UPS with a capacity between 600W and 1000W would be ideal for a home or small office setup. But if your setup requires a larger capacity, you should consider a higher unit. 

Enterprise or Commercial

Work environments can demand more power. You may need to support servers, networking equipment and storage devices. So these setups typically require a higher UPS capacity unit. 

In this case, choose the 1500VA/1200W or 2000VA/1600W UPS unit for more power. 

UPS Sizing Guide Chart

See the chart below to help you choose the correct UPS unit:

Why Choose Goldenmate UPS?

Our advanced UPS systems offer more than just backup power. Here are other reasons you should choose a Goldenmate UPS.

Superior LiFePO4 Batteries 

The UPS uses LiFePO4 batteries. They are safer and more durable than many other battery types. With over 5000 cycles, it will save you power expenses for at least one decade. Also, the batteries do not require maintenance. 

Also, the battery chemistry is stable. So it does not overheat and is safe for use even in the home. No wonder LiFePO4 is the preferred battery technology for backup power systems.  

Premium Surge Protection Against Spikes and Lightning 

The UPS units have surge protection. So, your sensitive electronics are safe from power spikes, lightning, and voltage drops that are common during an outage. A UPS will eliminate the surprise and frustration of finding out your costly gadget no longer works due to electrical faults. 

Instant Switchover

After an outage, the UPS switches over in just 20ms. So there are no sudden crashes that could shut down servers or computers. Hence, your work is always safe. 

Quiet Operation and Cooling System

Nobody wants a noisy UPS system. They can disturb creative work, especially when the noise is within ear range. But our units operate and cool quietly. Also, there is a mute button to silence the beeps. So, they will fit your personal and office spaces. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained what UPS capacity is and how to choose one that is best for you. Having this information will help you make an informed choice that suits your needs. 

We also discussed some features to look out for in a standard UPS, like surge protector or battery type.

Our many thousands of users are happy with their GoldenMate Energy UPS units. The devices do not just perform; they are sleek and lightweight. They will beautify your space, and you can move them anytime. You can own one when you order today.