UPS for Sump Pump

[Anonymous user]

Hello,
I've heard conflicting information about this - is it ok to use an APC UPS for a basement sump pump? Will it damage the sump pump if it is running off the backup in the event of a power outage (some people say a sine wave or square wave will damage it)? My small sump usually kicks in for about 5-10 seconds, every couple of minutes during a storm.
My sump is a Zoeller M-53 - 1/3HP, 115v, 9.7A. I was thinking of using a BackUPS XS 1500VA for the job.

Thank you

[BillP]

i agree - a lot of people call in about them.

i dont know off hand if the step approximated sine wave would actually damage the pump but regardless, APC doesnt make any UPSs with the wattage requirement that you need that have a step approximated sinewave - they will have a pure sinewave output when you get into that wattage.

[BillP]

Exactly, AC motor loads such as a sump pump do require a UPS with a pure sine-wave output, such as Smart-UPS.

[BillP]

do we know the wattage draw on this? the UPS can handle 1500VA but only 865 watts. i double checked with someone in sales and most likely you will need to look at a Smart UPS 2200 - SUA2200 or a Smart UPS 3000 - SUA3000 which can handle a lot more wattage but they are pricier.

i am told that the UPSs need to be sized bigger but regardless, it isnt something we support or recommend putting on a UPS.

[Anonymous user]

thank you for responding so fast
I just hooked up a kill-a-watt and it's showing 1164 watts - so yeah, guess I'm going to have to look at a larger UPS.

other than the wattage, does anyone know if the shape of the wave, Sine or Square, will damage the sump pump?

I'd really like to use a UPS instead of having to buy one of those backup sumps and hire a plumber to install. (I know that are water-powered backups available, but those require us to be at home to use). From research it seems like a battery backed up sump pump is a common request and maybe something APC can look into for future product lines.

[Anonymous user]

Covadguy wrote:
thank you for responding so fast
I just hooked up a kill-a-watt and it's showing 1164 watts - so yeah, guess I'm going to have to look at a larger UPS.

other than the wattage, does anyone know if the shape of the wave, Sine or Square, will damage the sump pump?

I'd really like to use a UPS instead of having to buy one of those backup sumps and hire a plumber to install. (I know that are water-powered backups available, but those require us to be at home to use). From research it seems like a battery backed up sump pump is a common request and maybe something APC can look into for future product lines.

Watts or VA? 1164W is excessive for a 115v 9.5A motor 1/3hp motor unless it's overloaded. W should be substantially lower than VA.

APC UPSs are designed to take over a running computer, but it might not be able to reliably cold-start a stopped motor as the current demand to start a motor is very large. If it goes into overload latching shut down, it won't power up again without manual intervention.

I'd look into water powered system where you leave the water at the faucet turned on and on/off is activated by float, but water flow solenoid only activated when A/C power is lost.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Does anyone have knowledge of specifying a kW rating or flow rate for a fire fighting lift, sump pump ? I have checked various documents but none can give a definative answer. Thanks

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