I am looking to replace two Powershield 1600VA UPS that I have sitting, inaccessible, at the bottom of my 12U under-desk rack, and I am hoping that a 3000VA 2U rack mount UPS will work for me. I have a windows workstation and a Linux server each in a in 4U case that need backup power. They currently stay up for about 40 minutes on the Powershield UPS if I am not (foreground) active on them.
Now comes the part I need help with - I’ve looked at datasheets, installation guides, and system specifications for about 20 different UPS that meet my above wish list all of which have IEC C19 input sockets, and none of the technical documents tell me what amperage I need for the supply. My home office is limited to 10A (Australian) GPOs, so I am hoping these UPS will work with that, so I don’t need to get an electrician out to run a new circuit.
Any help and or advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA
Divide 3000VA by your line voltage to get the required amps. Here in the States, I’d need a 30A circuit at 120V and would absolutely have to run a new line from my breaker panel.
I have 220~240v, so that means I need > 14A then
Edit: hang on - that’s only true if the UPS recharges in exactly 1 hour. If it charges over two hours it needs less power
But it can draw more current than the line is rated for. Everything electrical is about “can”, not “will”.
Yep, I have a 3000va unit in my main basement rack. I had to run a 30A circuit for it.
why not build your own much more flexible. shouldn’t be very hard. just get a battery like this one https://www.amazon.com/Redodo-LiFePO4-Lithium-Lifetime-Off-Grid/dp/B094NN5KWY and an inverter.
i have had terrible experiences with these all in one UPSs that you mentioned, battery degrades fast and starts lasting only a fraction of the time. i would suggest getting a killawatt to measure power consumption, gives you a much better idea of what capacity inverter you need.
also not how the “1600VA” one is really only 960W https://powershield.com.au/wp-content/uploads/brochures/DefenderUPS_Range_Overview.pdf
You can see the capacity too its very tiny 12V / 9AH (x2) which is mere 216 watts!
I’m looking for something that is rack mountable and 2U in height. While it is possible to find off the shelf gear you can build your own out of, it isn’t cheap.
