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ITFrequently Asked Questions · UPS
How much runtime does a UPS give my equipment?
Runtime is the time the UPS gives you to save your data and shut down your devices, from the moment the UPS starts supplying power. For example, a 1000 VA UPS with a runtime of up to 10 minutes (at 50% load) can power 500 VA of equipment for 10 minutes. For demanding needs, runtime can be extended by adding batteries and an extra battery cabinet.
Runtime depends mainly on two things: the energy stored in the batteries and the load you connect. The relationship is not linear: if you halve the load, runtime usually more than doubles, while at full load it can drop to just a few minutes. That is why manufacturers give runtime tables or curves for different load levels rather than a single figure.
This time does not stay constant. Battery capacity declines over the years, and faster in a warm room, so a UPS that gave ten minutes when new may give much less after a few years. Batteries usually need replacing every 3–5 years, depending on temperature and use.
In practice, first decide what you want the UPS to do: ride through short outages, give time for a proper shutdown, or keep equipment running until a generator starts. Install the management software so that the computer or server shuts down automatically when the battery runs low, and run a controlled runtime test periodically so you know what you actually have.
