UPS shows continuous coil whine even when idle and the fan remains on, is this typical or a fault?
UPS shows continuous coil whine even when idle and the fan remains on, is this typical or a fault?
Thank you for your feedback! I explored the UPS you suggested, and it appears to be quite effective. Had I known sooner, I might have chosen the same model.
The unit I purchased is brand new. My main concern was the noise level. I expected it to be quiet, as the manufacturer claims it operates below 35 dB at one meter.
I also checked the noise using a phone decibel app (without professional equipment). After adjusting my measurement method, I discovered that holding the phone 1 meter above and 1 meter away from the UPS results in about 35 dB. However, when placed on the floor while still 1 meter away, the reading rises to around 42 dB, likely due to room resonance.
These findings are near the manufacturer’s standards, but in my very quiet home environment, the fan noise stands out more.
I also looked on Amazon Germany, but they don’t deliver UPS units to Iceland. That’s why I ended up buying it on eBay.
Living in Iceland is rare, so the market is limited. I searched for reputable options locally, but there aren’t many suppliers here.
The power supply in Iceland is reliable—over the past decade I’ve never faced a city-wide blackout. Only occasional temporary outages occur from home renovations, and they’re always announced in advance. So I didn’t need a UPS until recently.
I bought it only because I needed one for my NAS setup, so I’m still learning about these devices.
Shipping costs are high due to Iceland’s remote location. At the moment, I mostly accept the noise level and am trying to find ways to reduce it.
Appreciate your support! Have a wonderful day!
Keep in mind that you cannot restrict the airflow of a UPS. It requires access to fresh air to regulate its temperature. Otherwise, you risk creating a serious problem for yourself. The issue with sound is that it not only travels through the air but also through surfaces. Even if you surround a UPS with a foam capsule to block all airflow (which is a poor idea) and prevent noise from passing through, sound can still move through surfaces. Certain individuals are more sensitive to high-pitched sounds like coil whine; prolonged exposure can lead to headaches and other health concerns such as hearing loss. One alternative is to travel to the mainland and purchase the UPS in person, then bring it with you as hand luggage. Although it may weigh around 10kg, it should be manageable to carry. It’s important to consider this before making a decision. Personally, my health—especially my hearing—is more important than the shipping cost of a UPS. I would prefer to return and explore other options like the Cyberpower PFC Sinewave series. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Yes, I can return it within 14 days, but I have to pay for the return shipping myself.
I actually asked ChatGPT before purchasing this UPS 😅. It said the model is very quiet and that the fan only works when charging the battery. And I thought it was true.
I know a UPS needs proper ventilation.
At first, I wanted to tackle the noise problems and keep it, since after more research this UPS looks solid in build quality except for the sound. It seems made for business settings, server rooms, and data centers where power stability matters more than noise.
But after your advice, I’m considering returning it. I found this model on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2056467301...-9...p_homepage
What are your thoughts? Should it be completely silent when running on mains power? (The UPS I bought was more than twice the price of this one.)
Thank you!
People might rely too much on AI without questioning its knowledge.
It simply shares the information it has gathered online, whether accurate or misleading, without verifying the details.
A 35 dB(A) at one meter isn’t quiet—it’s quite loud. Yet the AI can’t access official guidelines, which a person could easily find in minutes.
This is the second version of the UPS I linked earlier. The first one is solid, and you’d struggle to find a superior alternative.
For Eaton, it’s common to push products toward businesses with larger budgets, while home users with limited resources aren’t as likely to compare options.