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UPS for iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
- Thread starter reddevil0728
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I am running this one on my 5K iMac and haven't had any problems:
CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS 1000VA 600W PFC Compatible Mini-Tower
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429N192/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS 1000VA 600W PFC Compatible Mini-Tower
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429N192/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Don't exactly know what specifications to look when it comes to UPS... How do I know whether the UPS I am choosing is sufficient for the iMac? do i look at the VA or W? how much VA and how much W is sufficient for iMac?
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The "wattage" and "VA (volt x amps) ratings are both supplied and differ by the power factor of the UPS. For computer calculations, the "watts" are the number you need, and depends on how much of a load you want to power, and for how long. The max power consumption for the 27" iMac is 240 watts (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201918), but you may also have some disk drives, network modem, scanner, printer, etc which can contribute to the load.
Generally, unless you intend to continue working during a longer power outage, you don't need to power these from the UPS (other than the disk drives) and can simply plug these into the "filtered" outlets. You don't want to put a Laser printer on the UPS due to the high startup current which can trip the monitoring circuits. You select the UPS size based on how long you need it to run on battery power and allow a "safety factor". I pick size to hopefully bridge short power outages and then let the UPS signal my computer to gracefully shut-down so no data is lost. So I look for one that is twice the max load or so (i.e. around 600 watts for the iMac). I like "sine wave" rather than "stepped output" waveforms because most computer type power supplies are happier with that and prefer those with power correction for low or high voltage conditions. Of course, normally your computer system isn't running off of the UPS at all, it is connected through the UPS to the line power. The UPS only comes into play in the event of a power failure.
You can select a higher one for longer run time if needed. I have bigger ones on my satellite TV recorders so they will continue to record for several hours in the event of a long outage (don't want to miss my favorite shows
). I also make sure that the satellite antenna and all distribution amps are also running from the UPS power. You may want to keep your routers and modem powered if you intend to work during the outage ... but keep in mind that the outage may affect your internet connection (cable, etc.) too, and you have no control over that.
Generally, unless you intend to continue working during a longer power outage, you don't need to power these from the UPS (other than the disk drives) and can simply plug these into the "filtered" outlets. You don't want to put a Laser printer on the UPS due to the high startup current which can trip the monitoring circuits. You select the UPS size based on how long you need it to run on battery power and allow a "safety factor". I pick size to hopefully bridge short power outages and then let the UPS signal my computer to gracefully shut-down so no data is lost. So I look for one that is twice the max load or so (i.e. around 600 watts for the iMac). I like "sine wave" rather than "stepped output" waveforms because most computer type power supplies are happier with that and prefer those with power correction for low or high voltage conditions. Of course, normally your computer system isn't running off of the UPS at all, it is connected through the UPS to the line power. The UPS only comes into play in the event of a power failure.
You can select a higher one for longer run time if needed. I have bigger ones on my satellite TV recorders so they will continue to record for several hours in the event of a long outage (don't want to miss my favorite shows
). I also make sure that the satellite antenna and all distribution amps are also running from the UPS power. You may want to keep your routers and modem powered if you intend to work during the outage ... but keep in mind that the outage may affect your internet connection (cable, etc.) too, and you have no control over that.
Yeah ... that is also a popular size.
I use a APC SmartUPS 1500 on my cMacPro and that is also the one I have on my satellite TV recorders. I have several of them and they have been running for years (although I have replaced the batteries on each one once).
From what I've read before, I realized most people use a 1500VA model. I'm only going to be using a UPS for my router and my maxed out 5k imac. In this case, would I be OK with the 1000VA model? I only need this to prevent unfortunate data loss when there's a power outage.
Get the W part, but still unsure about how to decide on the VA part. Like whether I should get 1500 or 1000. Like how do I know.The "wattage" and "VA (volt x amps) ratings are both supplied and differ by the power factor of the UPS. For computer calculations, the "watts" are the number you need, and depends on how much of a load you want to power, and for how long. The max power consumption for the 27" iMac is 240 watts (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201918), but you may also have some disk drives, network modem, scanner, printer, etc which can contribute to the load.
Generally, unless you intend to continue working during a longer power outage, you don't need to power these from the UPS (other than the disk drives) and can simply plug these into the "filtered" outlets. You don't want to put a Laser printer on the UPS due to the high startup current which can trip the monitoring circuits. You select the UPS size based on how long you need it to run on battery power and allow a "safety factor". I pick size to hopefully bridge short power outages and then let the UPS signal my computer to gracefully shut-down so no data is lost. So I look for one that is twice the max load or so (i.e. around 600 watts for the iMac). I like "sine wave" rather than "stepped output" waveforms because most computer type power supplies are happier with that and prefer those with power correction for low or high voltage conditions. Of course, normally your computer system isn't running off of the UPS at all, it is connected through the UPS to the line power. The UPS only comes into play in the event of a power failure.
You can select a higher one for longer run time if needed. I have bigger ones on my satellite TV recorders so they will continue to record for several hours in the event of a long outage (don't want to miss my favorite shows
Will be solely using it for the iMac. Cause have all along been using a laptop. Transitioning to a desktop now so not use to have no battery as backup for graceful shutdown.
Just use the watts rating ... The VA really doesn't apply here.
You mentioned yo choose something that is twice the max load. in this case for 600 watts, how long can it last by just powering the iMac aloneThe "wattage" and "VA (volt x amps) ratings are both supplied and differ by the power factor of the UPS. For computer calculations, the "watts" are the number you need, and depends on how much of a load you want to power, and for how long. The max power consumption for the 27" iMac is 240 watts (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201918), but you may also have some disk drives, network modem, scanner, printer, etc which can contribute to the load.
Generally, unless you intend to continue working during a longer power outage, you don't need to power these from the UPS (other than the disk drives) and can simply plug these into the "filtered" outlets. You don't want to put a Laser printer on the UPS due to the high startup current which can trip the monitoring circuits. You select the UPS size based on how long you need it to run on battery power and allow a "safety factor". I pick size to hopefully bridge short power outages and then let the UPS signal my computer to gracefully shut-down so no data is lost. So I look for one that is twice the max load or so (i.e. around 600 watts for the iMac). I like "sine wave" rather than "stepped output" waveforms because most computer type power supplies are happier with that and prefer those with power correction for low or high voltage conditions. Of course, normally your computer system isn't running off of the UPS at all, it is connected through the UPS to the line power. The UPS only comes into play in the event of a power failure.
You can select a higher one for longer run time if needed. I have bigger ones on my satellite TV recorders so they will continue to record for several hours in the event of a long outage (don't want to miss my favorite shows
On the website (https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/ups/pfc-sinewave/cp1500pfclcd) it says runtime at half load is 11 minutes. Does it mean it can only supply power for 11 minutes...? For some reason I thought it would last for at least 4 hours
Under max iMac power draw, the 600 watt will probably run for about 20 minutes or so ... but you are probably at the "idle" power draw if you aren't actually using the iMac, so then it would probably last a couple of hours or so. I like to have mine shut down the system gracefully when the UPS battery reaches 50% of capacity if I am not actually there using it (then I can shut it down manually any time I want).
The other 900 watt (1500 VA) will probably run 30 minutes ... but that is running the iMac maxed out! You probably aren't running the iMac at max unless you are gaming or processing video. If you need longer run time, you need to buy one with more battery capacity such as the APC SmartUPS 1500 which is much larger and has 2 huge batteries in it.
The other 900 watt (1500 VA) will probably run 30 minutes ... but that is running the iMac maxed out! You probably aren't running the iMac at max unless you are gaming or processing video. If you need longer run time, you need to buy one with more battery capacity such as the APC SmartUPS 1500 which is much larger and has 2 huge batteries in it.
You could probably take a rough estimate of 40% off the VA to get the watts. But they probably have similar PF, so I would simply pick a 1000VA (or 1500VA if you see expansion in your future).
What is it that you want from your UPS? Do you have a need for a long run time on standby power while using the iMac computer? If so, look for a 1000VA (600w) with a larger battery for longer run time at that output.
What is it that you want from your UPS? Do you have a need for a long run time on standby power while using the iMac computer? If so, look for a 1000VA (600w) with a larger battery for longer run time at that output.
as mentioned previously...
"Will be solely using it for the iMac. Cause have all along been using a laptop. Transitioning to a desktop now so not use to have no battery as backup for graceful shutdown."
so it's more like just to give me time to shut it down.
"Will be solely using it for the iMac. Cause have all along been using a laptop. Transitioning to a desktop now so not use to have no battery as backup for graceful shutdown."
so it's more like just to give me time to shut it down.
Why not get the one @hfg recommended in post #2
That will give you want you want and some wiggle room, just in case.
I don't stay in the states hence it wouldn't make sense for me to ship it, and I doubt I can find that locally.
Do you have online retailers that you can order it from or are you stuck with local retailers?
A quick google of those listed gives you the wattage information you need. for instance, I googled apc back-ups bx1100ci-ms, which gave me this link Back-UPS BX800CI-MS, BX1100CI-MS Specification Sheet and that shows the BX100CI has a wattage of 660 watts. Half of what @hfg is running with, but sufficient to give you time to shut down the iMac
The Apc br1500gi is another nice it appears at 850 watts.
Just do some googling on those you listed to find the one you think will fit your needs.
Pretty much stuck with local retailers.
yep, I just wanted to know if there's a quicker way to convert VA to W rather than googling.
There's some stuff on the net, but its not a simple calculation. I think its in your best interest to do some leg work, and its not that difficult, since you have some of the info already.
yep definitely will, just wanted to find out if there's a quick way of getting a ballpark figure before doing more specific research
Technically Volts X Amps = Watts, but for some reason VA does not seem to equal Watts (in a number of cases). So to be sure, you'll need to do some googling. Good luck
OK ... I did a quick Google search and this was at the top of the list and probably has more info than any of us wants to read, but look at the first couple of paragraphs:
http://www.power-solutions.com/watts-va
BTW: with many UPS units that connect to your computer with a USB cable, you don't have to be available to shut it down ... you can select how/when your computer shuts down in the event of a lengthy power failure. Pull up your SystemPreferences/EnergySaver/UPS/ShutdownOptions and set what you want. I have mine set to shut down when the UPS battery reaches 50% just to avoid draining the battery and possibly shortening its life.
http://www.power-solutions.com/watts-va
BTW: with many UPS units that connect to your computer with a USB cable, you don't have to be available to shut it down ... you can select how/when your computer shuts down in the event of a lengthy power failure. Pull up your SystemPreferences/EnergySaver/UPS/ShutdownOptions and set what you want. I have mine set to shut down when the UPS battery reaches 50% just to avoid draining the battery and possibly shortening its life.
My old dinosaur Cyberpower finally died (of course in the middle of the night and all loud beeping)... It served me well in its day
Anyways, I want to replace. My goal is not to use my computer during a power outage but to simply keep it up. I need my wifi up too.
My equipment:
Imac 27" late 2019 model
Apple Time Capsule Wifi Router
Motorola Modem (SB6190)
If I stick with Cyberpower, I narrowed it down to:
CP1500AVRLCD or
CP1500PFCLCD
A cyberpower rep told me that since I have a new mac I SHOULD go with the PFV vs. AVR model as Macs use the pure sine wave. However, doing some searching I believe I found that not true.
So first question(s) which model above is best for my situation
Second question:
Another option i'm thinking about is in order to keep the equipment above up the longest, to get 2 units: 1 for the iMac along and the other for the modem/router. If so any suggestions on a model for the modem and router. They do use minimal power so i'm thinking I don't need the powerhouse of a 1500 series. Definitely wouldn't think I need a PFC for those either.
Last question: So when looking at the models and the watt output. They state their time based on full or half load. So if my devices uses less than that can i safely assume my uptime will be longer. The iMac I think uses 71W idle so the 1500 which has run time of 10 minutes @ 500 watts, my iMac should stay up for significantly longer. Am I assuming correctly?
When on UPS I will NOT be using the iMac at all, so it should be idle
Thanks for your help
Anyways, I want to replace. My goal is not to use my computer during a power outage but to simply keep it up. I need my wifi up too.
My equipment:
Imac 27" late 2019 model
Apple Time Capsule Wifi Router
Motorola Modem (SB6190)
If I stick with Cyberpower, I narrowed it down to:
CP1500AVRLCD or
CP1500PFCLCD
A cyberpower rep told me that since I have a new mac I SHOULD go with the PFV vs. AVR model as Macs use the pure sine wave. However, doing some searching I believe I found that not true.
So first question(s) which model above is best for my situation
Second question:
Another option i'm thinking about is in order to keep the equipment above up the longest, to get 2 units: 1 for the iMac along and the other for the modem/router. If so any suggestions on a model for the modem and router. They do use minimal power so i'm thinking I don't need the powerhouse of a 1500 series. Definitely wouldn't think I need a PFC for those either.
Last question: So when looking at the models and the watt output. They state their time based on full or half load. So if my devices uses less than that can i safely assume my uptime will be longer. The iMac I think uses 71W idle so the 1500 which has run time of 10 minutes @ 500 watts, my iMac should stay up for significantly longer. Am I assuming correctly?
When on UPS I will NOT be using the iMac at all, so it should be idle
Thanks for your help