Why is my apc Ups Joules rating so low?

[Cube_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/17/2009

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I got a BR1500LCD APC ups for my game PC and adore it. (*http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500LCD&tab=models*) and I was thinking about buying another to use with my xbox 360/ps3 HDTV ETC Or the new model I saw of it *(http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX1500G) BX1500G* I assume it is the updated model. The 800va UPS I got somewhere cheep from another maker just don't cut it with my HDTV/ps3/xbox 360 set up it cant power them enough.

So looking I just noticed the Joules rating on both is a rather tiny around 340 Joules. Is that really enough for a somewhat costly $199 Ups to have? It's not a ultra high end model but it is not a $99 entry level either. I have seen some cheeper models from APC and others with higher Joules ratings and APC's $30 surge protectors seem to have higher Joules ratings.

I mean really Is that enough to provide at least decent protection?

Am I going to have to start plugging surge protectors into the UPS sockets and hope one stops a really large surge? I try to unplugg all my junk around thunderstorms as a rule when I am home but I am not always at home and I like to leave somethings on sometimes or have too leave them on is 340 joules going to at least give me a small chance of safety here?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 6/17/2009

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Basically with surge protectors, surge protection is their primary feature so surge protection is beefed up as much as possible. With the UPSs, the primary function is to provide runtime and be a battery backup. Surge protection is an added feature of that but the surge protection in the UPSs still meets the specs of UL1449 certification.

also, on some surge protectors and UPSs, you may see eP joule ratings versus just joule ratings..in regards to that..

APC uses the eP Joule Rating because we do not simply 'absorb' the surge like some other surge products might. Our products are designed to redirect the surge back to ground instead of absorbing it and incorporate a let through voltage, which is the maximum transient voltage the attached equipment will be subjected to above the normal RMS voltage. Any remaining voltage is redirected to ground.

The reason we even list the eP rating is for comparison with our competitors products. If we just listed the standard Joule rating, it would in most cases be lower than the competitors, because we aren't relying on absorbing the impact with a MOV, we're redirecting excessive voltage away from your equipment and safely back to ground.

From my understanding, we come up with the eP Joule rating by performing real world tests with both our equipment and the competitors. Based on these results, we can see how many Joules of absorbtion our units are equivalent to.

hope this helps 😕