Back-UPS Pro or Smart-UPS?!?!

[Anonymous user]

Hi.
I have 2 custom built workstations and 4 Intel server machines. Since I'm moving in a new office which have some questionable power circuits (frequent power loss and fluctuations) I'm in need of a few UPS to counter that issue mainly to preserve the hardware from being fried. I was planing on buying the Back-UPS Pro series but the local re-seller told me that I shouldn't use those with the server machines because of the waveform type they deliver . Since all my machines run on windows 7 and they are used mainly as render nodes I really don't see the difference.
So, should I go for 3-4 Back-UPS pro, or 2 Smart-UPS for the servers, and Back-UPS Pro for the workstations?
Going for the smart-UPS really pumps up the price and I still think I don't need them. All the machines are used in a "home" environment.

Thanks in advance.

[BillP]

Hi Nenad,

It would be best to check first the power requirement of your load. It would help if you could determine what kind of waveform does your power supply accepts as well as the transfer time from online to on battery. Our BackUPS produces a step approximated sinewave which some load does not accept. It also has a longer transfer time on which there are cases that the load would reboot when it goes to on battery operation.

The SmartUPS Line Interactive (SU/SUA/SMT/SMX) product line has faster transfer time and produces a pure sinewave when running on battery. They also offer the capability of graceful shutdown thru PowerChute Business Edition which offers a web interface for an easier management of the UPS. You can also install a network management card on the UPSs for network manageability.

[Anonymous user]

I have one Intel® Server Chassis SC5650WS Pilot Point T and three Intel® Server Chassis SC5650DP Pilot Point T. I didn't find any special power requirements for those chassis. Furthermore, I'm running one workstation powered by a Corsair Gold AX1200 (1200 W) and another running the Corsair TX750 (750W). The 4 server machines combined consumes app. 1100W at full load. The Workstations around 750W. Any additional information on proper UPS devices for the listed components would be greatly appreciated.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Since you're unable to find any specific details on the power supplies in the servers, and you are likely going to get at least one Back-UPS for the workstations either way, you could always test to see what happens to the servers while plugged into a Back-UPS during a pull-plug test. You can do this while the servers are in the BIOS to avoid any potential risk of data corruption as well. If the servers are fine while the Back-UPS is transferring back and forth between online and on battery, then those units will suffice. If the servers turn off, either the transfer time or the sine wave is unacceptable for the servers' power supplies and you need a Smart-UPS.

In terms of obtaining the exact power requirements for your equipment, contacting the manufacturer (Intel, Corsair, etc) would be your best bet - though sometimes even they don't know!