Line-R 1200VA Automatic Voltage Regulator

[BillP]

This question was originally posted by George on APC forums on 3/17/2009

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How much current, watts, does one of these units use? I have 3 installed in line on 2 computers and the TV.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 3/18/2009

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are you looking to see how much the LE1200 itself draws? or how much power you run through it?

The draw itself of the unit is minimal, around 10 watts or so if that. The LE1200 output capacity is 1200 watts or 1200 VA and an input current of 10 amps.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by George on APC forums on 3/18/2009

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That's correct, how much it draws it's self. Reason being my power bill just jumped $30 this month, I didn't think the R-1200 pulled much but was just curious. I could not find the info anywhere though I kept the papers on them. thanks. George.

I also have the digital APC on one computer and the tower APC on the other computer, no complaints about either.

Message was edited by: Eyestrain

[johnlvs2run_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/2/2013

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Hi Angela,

Whoops, sorry for confusing the volts and watts.  Thanks much for your followup.

"If you have high incoming voltage, the LE1200 needs to trim it and use more amperage to balance that out. Vice versa for boosting low incoming voltage - we need to use less current to boost the voltage - this is just the volt amps relationship, as voltage goes up, amperage goes down."

If I'm understanding correctly, trimming & higher amperage = more power used = higher cost, and vice versa.  Is this correct?  If so, trimming by 10% would increase the usage by 10%, not a significant amount for just one computer.  However, I'm not sure if this is correct.

"There is also Power Factor which maybe you're sort of getting at which is Apparent Power vs. real power and the ratio between them which will account for stuff like the power the LE1200 actually needs to operate and for heat dissipation."

Mainly I want to verify that the electricity usage/cost, should stay relatively the same, and not go up by a significant amount.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/2/2013

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I believe that it should remain the same keeping in mind power in = power out. The power factor of the LE1200 might be the only minor point here in question because it has a power factor itself meaning it needs some extra (minimal) power draw to operate itself.

I know some of our newer UPSs that have AVR now are designed to bypass the AVR transformer when it is not in use to avoid seeing this extra draw over time, which again is minimal, but if you're constantly using AVR 24/7, maybe you do see a tiny increase because of the constant use of the transformer boosting or trimming. Constant use of the transformer also generates more heat.

[johnlvs2run_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/2/2013

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If the only change is the 7 or 8 watts used by the LE1200, then I am fine with that.

Thanks. 

[johnlvs2run_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/2/2013

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"if you're constantly using AVR 24/7, maybe you do see a tiny increase because of the constant use of the transformer boosting or trimming. Constant use of the transformer also generates more heat"

In the case that I now have it correct, whether trimming (lower voltage/higher amperage) or boosting (higher voltage/lower amperage), the kwh used remains the same, and the only addition use is the 7 or 8 watts used by the LE1200.  If the LE1200 ends up adjusting the voltage, and thereby being useful, then that will be good. 

[johnlvs2run_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/1/2013

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Did your power bill go back down?

Angela,

When the LE1200 trims the voltage, does that reduce the overall wattage (other than the 10 watts) that is used?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/2/2013

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I would think it trims the output to whatever you have plugged into it but the unit is still accepting the high input voltage/current so I think the reduction is negligible. Are you having an issue with your electrical bill too?

[johnlvs2run_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/2/2013

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Hi Angela,

Are you sure about that?  An outlet or a surge protector "accept" the high input voltage/current, but they don't "use" any of it, and therefore the cost for having an outlet or a surge protector plugged in would be zero.

I understand the LE1200 uses about 7 to 8 watts, but if there is trimming, then it seems to me that should be a negative use, for example 124 volts at the outlet, plus 7 watts used by the LE1200, minus 14 watts trimmed would be a net 117 watts used.  Please confirm. 

My concern is the OP's bill jumping $30 a month.  My bill is only a fraction of that.  I've not gotten an LE1200 yet but am planning to get one today.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/2/2013

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Hi johnlvs2run - I reaffirmed with someone here. I still think the values are negligible at the end of the discussion. Let me explain. If you have high incoming voltage, the LE1200 needs to trim it and use more amperage to balance that out. Vice versa for boosting low incoming voltage - we need to use less current to boost the voltage - this is just the volt amps relationship, as voltage goes up, amperage goes down.

Ultimately though for this type of application and the values we're working with with LE1200, Power In = Power Out. There is also Power Factor which maybe you're sort of getting at which is Apparent Power vs. real power and the ratio between them which will account for stuff like the power the LE1200 actually needs to operate and for heat dissipation.

I think I was getting confused because you were talking about watts (real power) and AVR we typically talk about Voltage/Amperage. Anyway, I think what you also suggested was correct.

Am I making sense?