Need recommendation: ~1400 VA UPS that is always silent (no fan, beeps can be disabled)

[Anonymous user]

I'm in the market for a new UPS that's around 1400VA, but as this UPS will be used in a bedroom, it must be completely silent, even when the power goes out.  No beeping, and no fan.  Does APC make a UPS like that?

[voidstar_apc]

Hi jsmith,

Does APC make a UPS like that?

No.

At that power level our UPSes come with fans. Beeping due to a power failure can be disabled. Beeping due to a bad battery cannot, though you wouldn't want to leave a failed battery in the bedroom.

Could the UPS be put in a different room?

We sell soundproofed boxes:

NetShelter CX 18U soundproofed Server Room in a Box Enclosure

According to the technical specifications, they provide 18.5dBA wideband attenuation. A 1500VA SmartUPS produces 45 dBA max at 1m so within the box, sound would be reduced to 26.5 dBA which is roughly as loud as a whisper in a quiet library. Though it sounds like that would be unacceptably loud for your use.

[Anonymous user]

My old Back-UPS Pro 1400 does not have a fan.  Why do newer UPSes need a fan?

[voidstar_apc]

The specs on the latest Back-UPS Pro 1300 and 1500 both claim a maximum of 45dBA of noise, same as the Smart-UPS. I'm not sure why the designers would add a fan.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

I suspect the fan was added in response to a reliability or longevity concern.  I have a SmartUPS 1500 RM2U and the fan noise is not the issue but, rather, the buzzing of the switching power supply that is the nuisance in my home theatre environment.  It sounds like a buzzing insect