Our Contenders
Choosing the right UPS is very important when it comes to protecting your electronic items. Home entertainment system, DVRs/NVRs and more. Today you are going to get a head start.
APC, A brand that a lot of us know and grew up with. APC has been in the power protection game for a long time. Forza, yet another solid contender that is no longer the new kid on the block.
We are going to look at the APC Power Saving Back-UPS Pro 1500VA & the Forza UPS FX-1500LCD. Our focus is going to be on two (2) key aspects, Output Power Capacity and Runtime when choosing the right UPS.
Info
APC Back-UPS Pro 1500
APC Power Saving Back-UPS Pro 1500VA (865W) (BR1500G)
APC Power Saving Back-UPS Pro 1500VA (865W) (BR1500G)
| Model Number | BR1500G |
| Output Capacity | 856Watts / 1500VA |
| Output Frequency | 50/60Hz /- 3 Hz |
| Cord Length | 6ft (1.83meters) |
| Output Connections | (5) NEMA 5-15R (selector_surgetitle) (5) NEMA 5-15R (Battery Backup) |
| Typical Recharge Time | 8 hour(s) |
| Interface Port(s) | USB |
| Control Panel | Multi-function LCD status and control console |
Forza UPS FX-1500LCD
Forza UPS FX-1500LCD (840W)
Forza UPS FX-1500LCD (840W)
Forza FX Series offers an enhanced level of protection specially designed for your high performance office equipment like servers, sensitive electronics and home theater components. It features a coaxial surge protection line and LCD display, in addition to a battery-supported system (UPS), allowing you ample time to save your important information and shut down all your equipment safely during power failures.Smart UPS
Smart UPS with LCD screenAVR Function
Equipped with AVR function to regulate output voltageOptimized
Optimized for audiovisual hardware, servers, and networksProtection
Equipped with coaxial TV Cable/Internet protection and RJ-45/11Battery
Battery status indicatorLCD Screen
LCD screen indicates the functional status of the UPS in real timeVoltage Regulation
Input and output voltage regulationOutput Power Capacity
Nominal Output Voltage
Output Frequency
Output Connections
Recharge Time
Runtime
856Watts / 1500VA
120V
50/60Hz /- 3 Hz
5 Surge & 5 Battery Backup
8hrs
Up to 164 mins *
840Watts / 1500VA
120V
50/60Hz
2 Surge & 6 Battery Backup
6hrs
45 mins *
Output Power Capacity
The APC can take a Max of 856W while the Forza 840W. This is where the APC has the advantage. If there was a power outage, the APC UPS will give our example system a longer runtime than the Forza UPS with Power Capacity.
Wattage, is what you need to consider when purchasing a UPS. Keep this in mind, if you have a UPS that has a Max of 250W but you complete setup is 300W, what do you think would happen? The UPS will cut off offering no protection what so ever.
Our Example Rig
Just for our example here this is the approximate wattage that we are working with so we can all be on the same page.
- Gaming Desktop = 400W
- 27″ Monitor = 19W
- 5.1 Speakers System = 160W
- TOTAL = 579W
Runtime
Now, if you were to go on any of the manufactures websites, they will have a breakdown on how much time you will have depending on the load the UPS has. So make time to do such.
APC Power Load: 579W / Time: 8 mins 18 secs
Forza Power Load: 579W / Time: 5 mins 25 secs
Now the power consumptions are the same but the runtime between both products are different although they are both classed as a 1500VA UPS.
In this scenario we will get a longer backup time.
Now, the next time you are purchase a UPS you know what to look for. Have an idea, even if you cannot find the exact number at least an average of how much power your device uses.
There are other factors to consider like the amount of output connectors, Their orientation, physical size and weight of the UPS, price etc. but now you have a great starting point the next time you are ready to purchase your brand new UPS.
Lastly we leave you with this. Bigger is better when it comes to your UPS. The larger the wattage load. The longer the time.