Can I incorporate a simulated sine wave UPS into my setup?
Can I incorporate a simulated sine wave UPS into my setup?
Hi,
I’m thinking about purchasing a UPS for my PC to ensure power during outages, especially since power issues are common in my area. Here are my current specs:
Gigabyte A520M K V2
AMD Ryzen 5 4500
XFX RX 580 GTS XXX Edition 8GB
MSI MAG A550BN
16GB memory
I’ve heard that Simulated Sinewaves can affect PC performance, but I’m curious—would it be okay to rely only on battery power for about 30 seconds between power cuts and generator activation?
I wouldn't anticipate any major issues at all.
Just buy a recognized and highly rated UPS device and ensure a timely shutdown whenever you're connected to UPS power.
I'm concerned more about potential electrical surges if the generator activates.
Will the surge protectors safeguard the PC against voltage spikes, or is a TV protector necessary?
I am not accustomed to Litewave products.
It would be wise to search online for recent UPS reviews.
(Current: I limit the search to the past year.)
Take into account the size, safeguards, and capabilities you require.
Generally, you don’t need flashy features. What matters is that the UPS allows sufficient time for a smooth shutdown and possibly built-in surge defense. My availability is limited to about five minutes. If I’m not there, the system usually powers down automatically. I also shut it off during storms or when electrical issues arise.
Surge protectors safeguard against sudden voltage increases. Their protection capacity is measured in Joules and adds up. A single intense spike or several smaller ones will eventually render them ineffective. The quality of surge protectors can differ based on design, materials, and construction. Any testing usually yields minimal results.
Reviews often mention calculators meant to assist in choosing a UPS. Be mindful these may bias toward pricier options.
Find two or three UPS models available and explore the manufacturer’s sites.
Review the Installation Guides, User Manuals, FAQs, and user comments.
Notice what is omitted as well as what is discussed.
Many products come with installation restrictions and caution about connecting devices in a chain.
Review all diagrams and fine print carefully.
Check the warranty information on both the unit and its battery.
Replacing batteries eventually becomes more expensive than buying new.
Other ideas and suggestions are welcome.
In my opinion, every PC should have an UPS.
UPSes can output 3 different kinds of waveform:
1. square wave - cheapest of the three. ONLY good for robust hardware, like power generators and motors.
2. simulated sine wave (aka stepped-approximated sine wave) - mediocre price. Good for most home appliances (e.g fridge, washing machine, lights).
3. true/pure sine wave - high price. It is the same as you get out of the wall socket. ONLY waveform good for sensitive electronics, like medical equipment, TVs, PC PSUs.
So, you want to have true/pure sine wave UPS. Simulated sine wave UPS may also work, but it may not. More of that below;
When looking for an UPS, there are 2 things to look out:
1. Output waveform (square wave, simulated sine wave and true/pure sine wave)
2. Design (stand-by, line-interactive and online)
From here you can read about the differences between output waveform,
link:
https://suvastika.com/why-choose-a-sinew...erter-ups/
And here are explanations about the UPS design,
link:
https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1272971
Waveform and design
For PCs, line-interactive UPS would be more than enough since PSUs can easily handle the 2ms to 5ms transfer time of line-interactive UPS.
As far as output waveform goes, true/pure sine wave UPS is best used. While simulated sine wave UPSes are cheaper than true/pure sine wave UPSes, PSUs with Active PFC aren't compatible with simulated sine wave. You might get simulated sine wave UPS running with Active PFC PSU but there can be some major issues. Here's what, how and why.
How do you know which PSUs have Active PFC and which ones don't?
Simple, every PSU that has 80+ certification (e.g 80+ Bronze or 80+ Gold) has Active PFC.
What is Active PFC?
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_fact...near_loads
What can happen when using simulated sine wave UPS with Active PFC PSU?
When simulated sine wave UPS switches over to the battery power, one of 3 things can happen:
1. UPS displays error resulting PC to shut down immediately.
2. UPS shuts down resulting PC to shut down immediately.
3. UPS switches to battery power resulting PC to power off from UPS (PC stays on).
Why it happens?
Simulated sine wave UPS produces a zero output state during the phase change cycle resulting in a power “gap”. This gap may cause power interruption for active PFC PSUs when switching from AC power output to simulated sine wave output (battery mode).
What to do next?
As stated above, your PC can run off from simulated sine wave UPS but be prepared when you face issues with it. When issues do rise, your best bet would be returning the simulated sine wave UPS and getting true/pure sine wave UPS. Or you can go with true/pure sine wave UPS off the bat.
Wattage
As far as UPS wattage goes, you need to consider the power draw of your PC and monitors. Maybe speakers and wi-fi router too if you plan to plug those into the UPS as well. Though, printers, scanners and other such hardware (full list on your UPS manual) don't plug to the UPS since their startup power draw (inrush current) is way too much for UPS to handle and you can fry your UPS.
Taking PSU's max wattage as a baseline is good idea since it will give your UPS more headroom and you can get longer runtime out of your UPS. Since your PSU is 550W, at least one monitor is added on top of it. Depending on the monitor size, they use between 23W to 52W. Wi-fi routers don't consume much power. For example, my Cisco EPC3940L consumes 12V at 3A which means 36W.
Good UPS brands to go for are CyberPower, TrippLite/Eaton, APC and Delta Electronics. While there are other UPS brands as well, those are the best out there.
Note: The more powerful UPS you have, the longer UPS can keep your PC running before it's battery is empty.
My 2x PCs (Aurora and Astral, specs/pics in my sig) do have their own UPS, 1x UPS per PC.
I have two of these in use: CyberPower CP1300EPFCLCD (1300VA/780W, true/pure sine wave, line-interactive),
specs:
https://www.cyberpower.com/hk/en/product...300EPFCLCD
While you state that you need the backup for ~30 seconds, don't get the smallest capacity UPS you can find. Since when UPS isn't rated for more wattage than your PSU is, the PSU's inrush current on power-on, can be more what the UPS is capable to deliver.
I'm currently in the process of getting myself a new UPS: CyberPower CP1600EPFCLCD (1600VA/1000W, true/pure sine wave, line-interactive) alongside new GPU and PSU. And while i'd like to go with 1300W or 1600W PSU, i can not, since those PSUs have too high inrush current (100+A), which my new UPS can not handle. So, i have to get lower capacity (lower inrush current) PSU.
As for you, 1000VA/550W UPS or bigger capacity should do.