How much power does a UPS use to recharge?

[Anonymous user]

Can someone tell me how much power a typical UPS would use while charging. Specifically, I need to know how the charging cycle works once a UPS has kicked in during a power loss and now has had its power supply restored so that it is now in "recharge" mode. I am trying to estimate power usage/needs for an emergency generator. For instance, if we have a power outage and roll out then start up a generator, will the UPCs running off of that generator use the kind of power I think they might? (It looks like a 120V, 12A UPC would charge at 1440 watt load.). Thanks.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Tom,

Can you provide a few base model numbers. The capacity differs based on the UPS, and I should be able to look up the information for you.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

The 1400 would use 136W for the battery charger.

Are there any other UPS's where the sepcs can be referenced for either yourself, or the thread starter

[Anonymous user]

According to APC Doc #504, the Matrix UPS charging power is as follows:

1-2 smartcells: 500 watts

3 smartcells or Smartcell XR : 1000 watts

This is a large amount of charging power - which is why one has to keep close eye on the battery health of Smartcells; if they start getting resistive there is enough charging power to totally melt the cells down...resulting in cracked / swelled cases, clear white "acid" and internal corrosion.

Dave

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Can someone tell me how much power a typical UPS would use while charging. Specifically, I need to know how the charging cycle works once a UPS has kicked in during a power loss and now has had its power supply restored so that it is now in "recharge" mode. I am trying to estimate power usage/needs for an emergency generator. For instance, if we have a power outage and roll out then start up a generator, will the UPCs running off of that generator use the kind of power I think they might? (It looks like a 120V, 12A UPC would charge at 1440 watt load.). Thanks.