victornegri
asked on
UPS Battery Tester
What's the easiest way to load test a UPS? Is there a portable device that's out there (hopefully cheap) that I can use to test multiple UPSes at an office to make sure they will last long enough during a blackout?
Choose the "configure by load" option.
A simple and cheap load is all you need. Attach lightbulbs of known wattage to an extension cord and see how long the UPS lasts. You can add or remove bulbs to match your expected load.
Use NetWatch to monitor it is better than testing them:
http://www.powerware.com/Software/netwatch_help/index.htm
http://www.powerware.com/Software/netwatch_help/index.htm
ASKER
I need to figure out if any of the UPS batteries are failing. The lightbulb suggestion is the closest to what I'm looking for. How many lightbulbs will I have to attach to simulate the draw a desktop computer + workstation + laser printer uses?
Each computer is connected to their own UPS (via a serial cable). They're tiny UPSes and don't have an SNMP card built in. I need to figure out whether these UPSes work or whether I should recommend to my client to purchase new ones. Trying to get some hard numbers.
Each computer is connected to their own UPS (via a serial cable). They're tiny UPSes and don't have an SNMP card built in. I need to figure out whether these UPSes work or whether I should recommend to my client to purchase new ones. Trying to get some hard numbers.
>How many lightbulbs will I have to attach to simulate the draw a desktop computer + workstation + laser printer uses?
My desktop has an Athlon64 X2 3800+, Radeon X850XT, NEC 3540A DVD burner and 5 hard drives. The Kill-A-Watt says it draws 200 watts at startup and levels off at 140 watts. CRT monitors take about 100 watts, while LCDs take about 50 watts. A workstation may take twice as much as a desktop. I would not recommend running a laser printer off a UPS, as that draws the most power, perhaps 600 watts or more and most UPS manufacturers warn you not to connect them.
My desktop has an Athlon64 X2 3800+, Radeon X850XT, NEC 3540A DVD burner and 5 hard drives. The Kill-A-Watt says it draws 200 watts at startup and levels off at 140 watts. CRT monitors take about 100 watts, while LCDs take about 50 watts. A workstation may take twice as much as a desktop. I would not recommend running a laser printer off a UPS, as that draws the most power, perhaps 600 watts or more and most UPS manufacturers warn you not to connect them.
ASKER
So 3x 100 watt lightbulbs?
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ASKER
Cool. Thanks.
http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm