UPS and Computer Power Supply: APC Back-UPS 650 with 600W PSU and 650W

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daltoy

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Oct 24, 2014
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Hello community!

I have this issue:

I have a (APC Back-UPS 650) and I have a a 650W Thermaltake PSU/computer connect to it; it has been working for 3 years without problems (in theory).

I have a new computer with 600W Thermaltake PSU, is there any problem if a connect both computers to the UPS at the same time?

APC Back-UPS 650 OFFICIAL SPECS (it says Output Power Capacity 390 Watts / 650 VA)

I feel completely ignorant in this subject; I have been reading a couple of posts here on tomshardware but I still have those doubts.

I need less than 5 minutes of preventive battery

Thank you very much in advance :)!
 
Solution
RealBeast
No, I actually would connect them both, using the Power Chute software on the "more important" of the two (but not attaching its monitor to the UPS since it will auto shutdown) set for a 2 minute shutdown in Power Chute, and then connect the other computer and its monitor so that you can manually shut that one down. That way both are protected.

Any PSU is compatible with a UPS, it's just a question of how long the UPS will supply power, and when everything is running you can look in Power Chute to see the estimated run time based on the actual power consumption.
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ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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If the total AC power draw of both systems together along with any any other peripherals plugged into the battery backed outlets (e.g. monitors) is less than 325 Watts you should be able to get the 5 minutes of battery runtime you're looking for if the batteries are in good condition.

The computer's PSU also needs to be able to function properly (i.e. be compatible) with a UPS that outputs a stepped approximation to a sinewave when operating on battery backup mode.
 
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RealBeast

RealBeast

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You can connect them both, although as you note they won't run as long. One problem is that if the monitor is not connected you need to use the software to shutdown and that will only work on one computer. Of course if the monitor is connected you will have very little time.

I have two machines on a modified APC (added two big batteries in parallel instead of one smaller battery) that works well and shuts down the important machine at 5 minutes. If I'm not around the second machine that is just a test bed machine just crashes when the battery power runs out about an hour later.

While it is best to use separate UPSs to allow software shutdown, if that is a budget buster I would attach both and use PowerChute on the more important with a 1-2 minute shutdown.
 
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daltoy

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Oct 24, 2014
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Thank you guys,

So if I want a little time space to manually shutdown (2-5 minutes) I shouldn't connect them both and even if I do, I need to check if the new PSU is compatible with the UPS

It seems I will have only surge protection in the second one. (I have no budget right now)
 
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RealBeast

RealBeast

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No, I actually would connect them both, using the Power Chute software on the "more important" of the two (but not attaching its monitor to the UPS since it will auto shutdown) set for a 2 minute shutdown in Power Chute, and then connect the other computer and its monitor so that you can manually shut that one down. That way both are protected.

Any PSU is compatible with a UPS, it's just a question of how long the UPS will supply power, and when everything is running you can look in Power Chute to see the estimated run time based on the actual power consumption.
 
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Solution
ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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It depends on the output waveform of the UPS while its operating on battery power. A UPS that outputs a pure sinewave when operating on battery power doesn't have problems with modern PSUs.

Here's an example from X-bit labs test of two Seasonic S12-II Bronze models on an APC SmartUPS SC 620 that outputs a stepped approximation to a sinewave when operating on battery power:

Compatibility with UPSes
Oddly enough, these very similar PSUs behave differently in this test: the S12-II 420 worked with my APC SmartUPS SC 620 at loads up to 350 watts but I could not make the S12-II 520 stable as it would shut down even at a load of 300 watts when the UPS switched to its batteries.

I didn’t examine the circuit design of these PSUs closely, so I cannot tell you the reason for this discrepancy. It may be due to a difference in some component ratings or in the implementation of the active PFC devices in these two models.
Click to expand...
Seasonic G-360
UPS Compatibility
Working with our APC SmartUPS SC 620, this PSU was stable at loads up to 360 watts when powered by the mains, but could not switch to the UPS’s batteries even at 280 watts.
Click to expand...
 
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daltoy

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Thank you again, I will combine this answer with the information about compatible UPS/PSU that ko888 provided just to be sure that nothing bad happens

Thanks!

 
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