UL 1449 and UL 1778

[wfcarson_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/17/2008

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Hi there,

I need an UPS to power a computer running WinXP with a 500w PSU, two hard drives, two DVD drives, a dual output video card, two PCI audio cards and two 20" LCD monitors, plus a digital interface use for audio recording. I'm guessing I need something around the model numbers of 850 - 1300. I'm looking for two things.

#1 - pristene output.

#2 - surge protection

The problem I'm finding is that I demand UL 1449 because I've read that it's the best. It clamps down spikes the best per APC knowledge base "Joules and Let-Through Voltage" (see below). APC is manufacturing models with and without UL 1449 even though it is recommended in their own knowledge base. This is bothersome to me.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a model? I only need about 2-4 minutes of run time to shut down in case of a power outage. I want UL 1449 or better. Does anyone know what UL 1778 is for?

Excerpt : APC knowledge base
"Therefore, based on the above and the intent of the surge protection device, we
believe that a surge protector should be selected based on the lowest
let-through voltage capability and UL's best effective clamping voltage rating
of 330V (i.e. UL1449 330V). "

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 6/19/2008

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Hi,

[I found this link relating to UL1778 standard|http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/scopes.asp?fn=1778.html]. [This also may help.|http://www.techstreet.com/cgi-bin/detail?product_id=1084263]

I am assuming by pristine output you mean a pure sinewave output versus a step approximated sinewave. It sounds like you have a high end set up there so we would need to know the power consumption of what you have. Assuming 500 watts is being drawn from your computer MAX and about ~75-90 watts for each LCD monitor, I would recommend something that has at least a 900 watt rating due to the fact that you have digital interface.

Essentially, written on each piece of equipment should be the watt consumption of the product. We can add it up and then make an educated guess. All of the UPSs come with surge protection. Here is a link to the Smart UPS line which has a pure sine wave output (with surge protection and battery back up on every outlet) and complies to the UL1449 330V rating.

[Click here to view the smart UPS|http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=165]. On the left hand side, you can put in your wattage and it will give an estimate of the runtime.

All of our surge protectors have a let through voltage of 330V or better.

[wfcarson_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/19/2008

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Good morning,

Thank you for your help.

A few follow ups. . . no pun intended.

1. On models with step approximated sinewave output, is the step approximated sinewave engaged only during a power outage and battery use, or is this the output all the time? If it is just during battery operation, then I am fine with that, because the only thing I do on battery is a controlled shutdown. If the step approx sinewave is the output all the time, please go to #2, if not skip to #3.

2. If the step approximated sinewave is always the output, then is it good enough to use with digital clocks (studio master clocks for linking multiple digital devices to a single syncing source) or do I need a pure sinewave?

3. I am unsure about the specs on these two models.

BR1500 865w output with surge of 420 joules, meets UL1449 and UL1778.

BR1500LCD 865w output (step approx sinewave) with surge of 340 joules, meets UL1449 but does not meet UL1778, but includes NOM, TUV conformance. What's this?

Although the model numbers are almost identical, these units seem quite different.

4. Lastly, I am unsure about the model numbers.

RS vs XS

RS series BR1300LCD
XS series BX1300LCD
These models appear identical, so why the different models?

Thanks for all your help.

wayne

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 6/19/2008

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Hi Wayne,

The Back UPS models only have a step approximated sine wave while operating on battery. One thing about that is we'd just want to make sure all of your equipment can handle this. Some stuff will constantly reboot. Furthermore, any of the Back UPS models (vs Smart UPS) have a 4-6ms transfer time, where as the Smart UPS have a 2-4 ms transfer time to battery operation.

NOM has to do with transportation in Mexico (dealing with Land Transportation of Hazardous Materials and Wastes).

TUV relates to efficiency/safety testing - http://www.tuvasi.com/ This is TÜV Rheinland where I see our certificates are issued from.

BR1500LCD models are newer, as they come with the LCDs. The BR1500 (no LCD) has been around for several years now, the LCD models only about just over a year I now I believe.

RS vs. XS - XS is our retail only line. The only differences are the data line protection and the fact that the RS has boost and trim AVR and the XS has boost only. You can only get BR1300LCD on our site (or other sites) and BX1300LCD retail only.

I believe that there is something with the LCD that causes the the LCD models not to meet the UL1778 standard. I double checked just to make sure that it wasnt a mistake on the website.