I've noticed that UPS prices are quite high, for example €200 for a APC Back-UPS RS (BR800I). This unit is rated at 540W, I would expect much more for that amount of money.
Then I read this..
..at the Power Supply Fundamentals.Lower UPS costs: Lower current draw also means that smaller capacity Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units can be used. As UPS units are priced in direct proportion to their current capacity (VA), a PF of 0.98 versus one of 0.6 can traslate into a 40% reduction in purchase cost. Again, in an enterprise setting with hundreds or thousands of PCs, the savings can be very significant.
I have a SeaSonic S12-430 and perhaps will replace it with a Seasonic S12 Energy+ 550. Both have a Power Factor of around 1. If I understand everything correctly, does this mean that a UPS with VA of 600 would be suficient?
Also important, can I connect the UPS to a power strip? Last time I tripped a breaker by flipping the switch of a lamp while I was working on the PC.. I wouldn't want that to happen again, so I'd like to connect the lamp (and TV, VCR, 360W TV speakers, etc) sepparate from the UPS, so the UPS can protect the PC from the lamp (and other devices).
Thanks for reading.