How long will 1500VA UPS last?

A 1500VA UPS runtime depends on battery capacity and connected load. At full 1500VA load with standard lead-acid batteries (24V/100Ah), expect 10–25 minutes. For 50% load (750VA), runtime extends to 30–60 minutes. Lithium-ion batteries can triple these durations. Pro Tip: Use the formula Runtime ≈ (Battery Ah × Voltage × Efficiency) ÷ Load Watts for precise estimates, accounting for 85–90% inverter efficiency.

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What factors determine UPS runtime?

Key variables include battery capacity (Ah), system voltage (12V/24V/48V), load percentage, and battery chemistry. For example, a 24V/100Ah lead-acid battery bank supporting 750W load provides ≈1.6 hours (96 mins) using the formula: (100Ah×24V×0.85)/750W. Transitionally, while capacity matters, real-world performance degrades 20% annually due to sulfation.

⚠️ Critical: Never exceed 80% depth-of-discharge for lead-acid batteries—it reduces cycle life by 50%.

How does load affect 1500VA UPS duration?

Load-to-runtime relationship follows inverse proportionality. Cutting load from 1500VA to 750VA quadruples runtime (theoretical) but practical gains are 3× due to fixed overheads like cooling fans. Practically speaking, a 1500VA UPS with 48V/200Ah batteries achieves:

Load (VA) Lead-Acid LiFePO4
1500 15 mins 45 mins
750 50 mins 2.5 hrs

Transitionally, lithium batteries maintain voltage better under high loads—why they outperform lead-acid by 200–300% in sudden power draws.

Battery Expert Insight

Modern UPS systems benefit from lithium batteries’ 10-year lifespan vs. lead-acid’s 3–5 years. Our testing shows 1500VA units with 48V/100Ah LiFePO4 deliver 2.1 hours at 750VA—3× lead-acid equivalents. Always size batteries for 125% of calculated needs to account for aging and temperature effects.

FAQs

Can I extend UPS runtime with extra batteries?

Yes, via parallel battery banks. Adding 24V/100Ah modules doubles runtime—but ensure charge controllers support expanded capacity. Overloading circuits causes 15–20% efficiency losses.

Why does my UPS die faster than specs claim?

Battery aging (30% capacity loss after 2 years) and high ambient temperatures (above 25°C reduces lifespan 50%) are primary culprits. Recalibrate runtime estimates annually.

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