850VA PFC UPS LCD

This review is for: CyberPower CP850PFCLCD 510W UPS OVERVIEW: ----------- The home and small office UPS models we'll compare are: - APC: SMT750, SMT1000 - APC: SMC1000, SMC1500 - CyberPower: CP850PFCLCD, CP1000PFCLCD, CP1350PFCLCD - CyberPower: PR750LCD, PR1000LCD, PR1500LCD These all: (A) KEEP ELECTRICITY GOING DURING A BLACKOUT and give a computer TIME TO SAFELY AUTO-SHUTDOWN. (B) Produce a PURE SINE WAVE to work with power supplies with Active PFC, like those on most Apple Macs, lots of newer windows PCs, etc. (C) Cost in the low hundreds, so we avoid server room type features like zero transfer time, external batteries, etc. We'll compare: - How long things run during a blackout (RUNTIME) - The WATTS they handle - NOISE - OUTLET COUNT and how many have battery power We'll also compare: - AVR CAPABILITY including BOOST and TRIM (explained later) - RECHARGE TIME - Size, cord length, other Okay, let's get started, I'm looking for two that are quiet, can shutdown Window PCs and Macs safely, have good runtime, and some other things. (1) SOME DESCRIPTIVE DIFFERENCES: ------------------- Model legend: APC A - SMT750 B - SMT1000 C - SMC1000 D - SMC1500 CyberPower E - CP850PFCLCD F - CP1000PFCLCD G - CP1350PFCLCD H - PR750LCD I - PR1000LCD J - PR1500LCD Feature legend: AmpHr - Each Battery's Ampere Hour B - Number Batteries R - Recharge Time S - Footprint (Square inches) W - Weight (lbs.) F - Fan (Yes/No) G - More generator friendly (Yes/No) N - Novice user friendly (Yes/No) Here are some descriptive differences between the models I summarize in a manner I hope helps to compare. __Watt_AmpHr_B_R______WxHxD_____S_W_F_G_N_Outlets A _500 _7.0Ah 1 3h 5.4"x_6.3"x14.1" _76 29 N Y N 6both* B _700 11.0Ah 2 3h 6.7"x_8.6"x17.3" 116 42 N Y N 8both C _600 11.0Ah 2 3h 6.7"x_8.6"x17.3" 116 38 N N N 8both D _900 11.0Ah 2 3h 6.7"x_8.6x"17.3" 116 45 Y N N 8both E _510 _8.5Ah 1 8h 3.9"x_9.1"x10.4" _41 15 Y N Y 5surge+5both F _600 _9.0Ah 1 8h 3.9"x_9.1"x10.4" _41 16 Y N Y 5surge+5both G _810 _7.0Ah 2 8h 3.9"x10.4"x14.2" _55 20 Y N Y 5surge+5both H _525 _7.0Ah 2 8h 5.4"x_6.4"x13.7" _74 27 Y Y N 6both I _700 12.0Ah 2 8h 6.7"x_8.7"x17.0" 114 44 Y Y N 8both J 1050 17.0Ah 2 8h 6.7"x_8.7"x17.0" 114 54 Y Y N 8both *both = surge and battery protection Notes: - You rarely see recharge times as long as they list, you also rarely have an empty battery after a blackout, unless you configure for that. Expect faster recharge times. - Generator friendly is if support claims the model plays well with generators. - Novice user friendly is if a computer novice could likely get the UPS set-up without much help or effort (sort of plug-and-play). These companies offer strong tech support if needed. - Note you can avoid losing outlets to bulky transformers with short patch cords and you can increase outlets with a PDU (consider avoiding a surge protector strip, see surge protection section for why). 1-Foot Extension Power Cable, 5-Pack APC AP9562 Basic Rack PDU 1U/15A/120V 10 outlets (2) RUNTIME (mins) ON BATTERY AT DIFFERENT LOADS: ---------------------------- APC A - SMT750 B - SMT1000 C - SMC1000 D - SMC1500 CyberPower E - CP850PFCLCD F - CP1000PFCLCD G - CP1350PFCLCD H - PR750LCD I - PR1000LCD J - PR1500LCD ______A__B_C__D_E__F_G__H__I__J LOAD 100W 50 99 49 66 31 36 45 45 97 147 200W 22 45 25 35 13 15 22 22 46 83 300W 12 25 16 23 _7 _8 13 12 30 50 400W _7 15 11 16 _3 _5 _9 _8 20 36 500W _4 10 _8 12 _2 _3 _6 _6 16 25 600W __ _7 _6 _9 __ _2 _4 __ 11 18 700W __ _6 __ _7 __ __ _3 __ _9 15 800W __ __ __ _6 __ __ _2 __ __ 13 900W __ __ __ _5 __ __ __ __ __ 11 _1KW __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _9 (these above are from the manufacturers) - Here are some REAL WORLD TESTED COMPUTER RUNTIMES measured from blackout start TO START OF COMPUTER HIBERNATION (configured to hibernate close to battery running out). These times depend on UPS battery charge measurement capability and hibernate timing flexibility, not just battery size. 100W TEST: SMT750: hibernate starts at 47m CP850LCD: hibernate starts at 23m PR750LCD: hibernate starts at 29m 200W TEST: SMT750: hibernate starts at 23m CP850LCD: hibernate starts at 7.5m PR750LCD: hibernate starts at 9.75m 300W TEST: SMT750: hibernate starts at 12.5m CP850LCD: hibernate starts at 2.75m PR750LCD: hibernate starts at 5m 400W TEST: SMT750: hibernate starts at 5.75m CP850LCD: hibernate starts at 0.5m PR750LCD: hibernate starts at 1.5m All loads measured directly and externally (not with their UPS internal meters and to avoid UPS efficiency differences). Batteries first get 10 hour charge for tests. - Consider choosing a UPS with claimed runtime at least 50% MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED. - These UPS will shut-off WELL BEFORE THEY REACH 0% battery, often at 9%-20% full. This way when the electricity returns they come back on without needing manual restart. - Slightly lowered the runtime of 100W for the SMT1000 for readability. (3) NOISE: ------- APC SMT750/SMT1000: These have NO FAN (APC models with 1400VA+ and those with external batteries have fans). I only hear a SMT750 MAKE NOISE WHEN ON BATTERY POWER (ex: blackout), they make a fairly QUIET HUMMING like an aquarium pump, tested at 100W, 200W, 300W, and 400W. I measured 38dB (APC says 41dB max), in a quiet room you can hear it, but it's not loud nor annoying. You can configure for no alert beeps, too. It would FORCE THE UPS TO MAKE NOISE if you plug something in that FLICKERS, like a lamp that flickers just a little at a lower dimmer setting. APC SMC1000: Has NO FAN. Likely same noise profile as SMT1000 (above). APC notes 41db (same as SMT1000). APC SMC1500: Has fan (APC estimates 45dB max) which runs when: - The battery charges - The unit supplies battery power - The temperature hits 104F - The load is over 75% of unit wattage capability (675W+). CYBERPOWER PR750LCD/PR1000LCD/PR1500LCD: I hear a PR750LCD MAKE NOISE ONLY WHEN ON BATTERY POWER, only 39-41dB up close. The humming noise is like a quiet aquarium pump, can be heard in a quiet room but isn't annoying. It has a fan, though I have not heard it run at 100W, 200W, 300W, or 400W loads on a PR750LCD. The PR1500LCD fan though CAN clearly be heard I'm told (on battery power). I'm told it's only as loud as a "quiet conversation". I don't know about the PR1000LCD. You can configure for no alert beeps (APPLY ENABLE and then APPLY DISABLE on the Config page). It would FORCE THE UPS TO MAKE NOISE at 44dB or so at 1' if you plug something in that FLICKERS, like a lamp that flickers a bit at a low dimmer setting. CYBERPOWER CP850PFCLCD/CP1000PFCLCD/CP1350PFCLCD: These have a small fan in them. When the fan runs, which I HEAR ONLY WHEN ON BATTERY POWER on a CP850PFCLCD, it has a quiet but audible, higher pitch sound. I measured 39dB at 1' at 100W, 200W, 300W, and 400W loads, so it's fairly quiet. You can configure for no alert beeps, too. (4) ABILITY TO SHUTDOWN COMPUTERS SAFELY: ----------------------- These models can all shutdown Windows PCs and Apple Macs (OS version dependent) safely during power issues (most Linux flavors, too). Except for PCs or OS that predate Hibernate, of course. More on the Apple Mac graceful shutdown in the Apple section later. > WHAT IS HIBERNATE: To SAVE THINGS JUST AS THEY WERE before a blackout (not just shutdown) these UPS models can put a Windows PC into HIBERNATE. On Apple Macs this is called SAFE SLEEP (OSX 10.4+). The computers know how to do this, the UPS just tells them to. For some UPS's we must configure the hibernate option (vs. shutdown), for others it's the default. HIBERNATE doesn't "save" an open document, but rather freezes it in time so upon starting the computer everything is just as it was before. > HIBERNATE vs. SHUTDOWN: If you tell it to SHUTDOWN gracefully WITHOUT HIBERNATE mode, the computer will often ask users to save their work (ex: word docs) and then it will shutdown often too quickly for anyone to save it. Thus hibernate is often chosen. Of these, only the CyberPower PRxxxLCD allows the OPTION of TRULY SAVING open application files (ex: word docs) while it does a SHUTDOWN on the computer. Most folks, however, want the choice whether to save the file in its present state or not after hibernation, but there it is if you need it. > WINDOWS - IS HIBERNATE SAME AS SLEEP?: No. HIBERNATE saves the RAM to hard drive and shuts the computer down. This was invented for laptops to save battery and be less at risk of the hard drive writing while being jostled. SLEEP doesn't shut things down, it just saves energy and restarts faster than hibernate. > SMART CARDS: APC SMT and CyberPower PR models can have "SMART CARDS" plugged in to allow the graceful shutdown of multiple computers on the network even if the computers aren't plugged into the UPS. As noted in the Apple section below, older versions of SMT software allowed this for Apple Macs, but no longer. (5) APPLE COMPUTERS (MACS/OSX): ------------------------------- Setting an Apple Mac to allow a UPS to shutdown safely is different below OSX 10.6 vs. 10.6+. The directions for this is in an APC doc (it works for CyberPower, too), "How to configure native shutdown on Macintosh OS X .." (avail online or from support). With Apple Macs the user configures the Apple OSX's Energy Saver shutdown options (System Preferences) to allow a UPS signal to the Mac (via USB) to shut the computer down safely. The USB must be connected from the UPS to the Mac for the UPS preferences option to show. Some OSX versions MAY HAVE A BUG that don't allow the shutdown preferences to save after a computer restart, be sure to test. I know it works in 10.6.8. There is no APC or CyberPower software now to load on Apple Macs for DISPLAYING OR CONFIGURING UPS settings. You could do so from UPS display buttons (more so with SMT and PRxxxLCD) or from a Windows PC and then switch the USB connection back to the Apple Mac. You could even get a super cheap used Windows laptop just for that purpose. > APC: Can UPS shutdown 1 Apple Mac? - YES Can UPS shutdown 2+ Apple Macs over Network? (w/network card) - NOT ANY MORE Can Apple Mac be used to view or configure UPS? - NO If you add a NETWORK CARD to an APC SMT model there USED TO BE software to load on Apple Macs to allow the UPS to safely shutdown many Apple Macs over the network, however it's just Windows and Linux now. APC support didn't know if this will return for Macs nor for what OSX versions it used to work for. > CYBERPOWER: Can my UPS shutdown 1 Apple Mac? - YES Can my UPS shutdown 2+ Apple Macs over Network? - NO Can Apple Mac be used to view or configure UPS? - NO A PR model with a NETWORK CARD can safely shutdown lots of computers over the network. However, it never did for Apple computers. (6) AVR AND CONTROL OF VOLTAGE LEVELS FOR BATTERY KICK-IN: ------------------------------ All these models have AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation). With AVR, WITHOUT USING THE BATTERY, when voltage drops into a low range (brownout) the voltage steps up (boost) by either a fixed amount or a percentage. When the voltage rises into a high range way above 120V (overload) AVR steps the voltage down (trim). If the voltage drops even below the low AVR range (ex: under 82V-106V), or rises even above the high AVR range (ex: over 127V-144V), the unit TRANSFERS to battery power (120V). Those voltage levels (default or user set) where AVR or regular AC power stops and the battery kicks in are TRANSFER POINTS. Some models ONLY HAVE AVR BOOST (no trim), like APC SMC and Cyberpower CPxxxPFCLCD models. APC SMT and Cyberpower PR models have both AVR boost and trim. Here is a comparative summary: APC A - SMT750 B - SMT1000 C - SMC1000 D - SMC1500 CyberPower E - CP850PFCLCD F - CP1000PFCLCD G - CP1350PFCLCD H - PR750LCD I - PR1000LCD J - PR1500LCD A/B: AVR boost: Yes AVR trim: Yes You can set transfer point from utility/online to AVR Boost: 97V-106V (default 106V) You can set transfer point from utility/online to AVR Trim: 127V-136V (default 127V) C/D: AVR boost: Yes AVR trim: No You can set voltage transfer points INDIRECTLY through the sensitivity setting. The transfer point from AVR Boost to battery is always 95V, I'm told. SENSITIVITY Low_ - Transfer point from utility/online to AVR Boost is 97V, to battery high is 136V Med_ - Transfer point from utility/online to AVR Boost is 103V, to battery high is 130V High - Transfer point from utility/online to AVR Boost is 106V, to battery high is 127V (default) E/F/G: AVR boost: Yes AVR trim: No You can set transfer point from utility/online to AVR Boost: 97V-106V (default 102V) You can set transfer point from utility/online to Battery: 127V-136V (default 131V) H/I/J: AVR boost: Yes AVR trim: Yes You can only set lowest/highest voltage (before AVR kicks in) with the SENSITIVITY (low/med/high) setting. It only looks like you can also select the voltages directly, however it is a confirmed bug, just ignore. (7) "SENSITIVITY" SETTINGS: ------------------------- The sensitivity setting means something different for each model family. > APC SMTxxx ("POWER QUALITY SENSITIVITY"): - NORMAL (Default) *2ms-4ms Transfer time - REDUCED *6ms-8ms Transfer time - LOW *8ms-10ms Transfer time TRANSFER TIME is the time taken to switch to battery power. APC says longer transfer times are better for noisy electrical environments like lower power quality home generators. This can reduce the switching to battery and lengthen battery life in that circumstance. > APC SMCxxx ("POWER QUALITY SENSITIVITY"): - NORMAL (Default) *2ms-4ms Transfer time *Sets low transfer point from online/utility to AVR Boost at 106V *Sets high transfer point from online/utility to battery at 127V - REDUCED *6ms-8ms Transfer time *Sets low transfer point from online/utility to AVR Boost at 103V *Sets high transfer point from online/utility to battery at 130V - LOW *8ms-10ms Transfer time *Sets low transfer point from online/utility to AVR Boost at 97V *Sets high transfer point from online/utility to battery at 136V > CYBERPOWER CPxxxPFCLCD ("INPUT VOLTAGE SENSITIVITY"): - HIGH (CyberPower Recommended if quality power source) *Sets battery transfer points to 88V/136V - MEDIUM (Default) *Sets battery transfer points to 88V/139V (DEFAULT). - LOW *Sets battery transfer points to 78V/144V. Best setting if the power is from a low quality power source like many home generators. Support noted their OL (online) models work even better with generators. Support says transfer time is ALMOST ALWAYS AROUND 4ms, so sensitivity setting has no affect on transfer time (unlike the APC models). > CYBERPOWER PRxxxLCD ("DETECTED SENSITIVITY"): - HIGH *Sets AVR low/high transfer points to 88V/136V into a tighter range to use AVR less and battery more, resulting in more stable power but more battery use. - MEDIUM *Sets AVR transfer points to 88V/139V (Default). - LOW *Sets AVR transfer points to 78V/142V to use AVR more and battery less, reducing battery use if input voltage ranges that much. Support says transfer time is ALMOST ALWAYS AROUND 4ms, so sensitivity setting has no affect on transfer time (unlike the APC models). (8) SURGE PROTECTION AND EMI/RFI INTERFERENCE REDUCTION: --------------------------- All these models have UL1449 3rd Edition Listedsurge protection. They were tested with powerful surges and survived still operational. - CLAMPING VOLTAGE: This is the maximum voltage allowed through to the equipment, the lower the better of course. During the period power is not allowed through due to clamping, the UPS is supplying power. Note that there is debate which is a more useful measure for surge suppression, clamping voltage or let-through voltage (technically not the same). You might ask of what use is clamping voltage for a UPS, after all for example 330V clamping voltage is much higher than any voltage level the UPS switches to AVR or battery. Clamping voltage is an extra layer of protection for a UPS due to the power and speed of many transient surges. CyberPower - 330V CLAMPING VOLTAGE APC - 330V CLAMPING VOLTAGE - SACRIFICIAL?: CyberPower and APC - All these models are sacrificial for big surges (per support), bigger than the UL1449 test surges, of course. The button on the back is the classic circuit breaker OVERLOAD PROTECTION like all good modern certified surge protectors have (they strongly recommend 12A max, they often trip on 15A). This helps prevent fires, but does not make a unit non-sacrificial per se. - JOULES: I've included the values here and will let the user decide if it is important, just know that it is a matter of controversy. Many engineers conclude that standards bodies feel that Joules is an inferior, misleading measure by which to compare a units suppression capability. CyberPower - These are rated 1030 Joules APC - These are rated 455-540 Joules - EMI/RFI NOISE/INTERFERENCE REDUCTION: This is more than just helpful to audio and media hardware. This can greatly help lower let through voltage from surges more than MOVs do alone in the 50kHz-150kHZ range according to a well considered Eaton white paper. CyberPower - Their models here have EMI/RFI NOISE ATTENUATION max of 48dB in the 150kHz to 100MHz range. APC - Don't have APC numbers for this. - ETHERNET AND COAX/CABLE SURGE PROTECTION: Only the CyberPower CPxxxPFCLCD models have these built-in, too. If using the SMC/SMT or PR models one needs separate surge protection for ethernet and/or coax/cable. Dedicated Coax/Cable and/or Ethernet surge protection and a little patch cabling to make it work is easy to find online. The Ethernet surge protection is for 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, NOT GIGABIT Ethernet (1000 Base-T). - ISOLATED OUTLETS: None of these models have isolated outlets (i.e., like Isobars, Furman PST-8D, etc.). - DISPLAYING SITE WIRING ISSUES: An example of a site wiring issue is if electrical ground is missing in an old home, thus the unit surge protection is inactive. They all report this, the APC SMT's and CyberPower PRxxxLCD's report this actively on displays and the CPxxxPFCLCD's do so with a LED bulb on the back. - CAN I PLUG-IN SURGE PROTECTOR BEFORE OR AFTER UPS?: The manufacturers said technically yes and said many clients do, but they don't recommend it. Some reasons manufacturers recommend against it include: (a) UL1449 surge protection certification is for plugging the unit right into a wall outlet. (b) Can cause UPS to misjudge actual wattage going through, possibly causing overload. (c) Should be using PDU's instead for efficient power distribution. (d) Surge protectors in-line with each other can actually increase total tolerance for surges, reducing effectiveness. (e) User loses equipment protection coverage, among other reasons because determining liability becomes difficult. PDUs plugged into an APC UPS that aren't APC made won't void the UPS warranty I'm told but can void the equipment protection guarantee. (9) WARRANTY: --------------- Here are 2 harder to find warranty-related notes: - APC offers 1yr and 3yr EXTENDED WARRANTIES on SMC/SMT models that raise TECH SUPPORT COVERAGE TO 24x7 (and other benefits). Both the kind for new purchases and the kind for renewing before a present warranty runs out are available. - The retail box for the APC SMT models have a code with instructions for increasing the battery warranty from 2 to 3 years (SMT unit warranty is 3 years). (10) OTHER PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES: ------------------------------- POWER CORDS: APC SMC/SMT: 6' Cyberpower PRxxxLCD: 6' Cyberpower CPxxxPFCLCD: 5' PERCEIVED TOUGHNESS: APC SMC/SMT: Tough, metal, and inflexible Cyberpower PRxxxLCD: Tough, metal, and inflexible Cyberpower CPxxxPFCLCD: Tough, plastic, and mostly inflexible (11) TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND DOCUMENTATION: ---------------------- Both APC and CyberPower offer strong technical support. Consider which is available DURING YOUR OFF-HOURS if you may need that. APC Tech Support Hours: M-F 8A-8P EST (5A-5P PST) Locations: Rhode Island, California, and the Philippines Extended Warranty ($): 24x7 Support CyberPower Tech Support Hours: M-F 9A-6P EST (6A-3P PST) Location: Minnesota Both company's technical documentation could use improvement. Some users manuals have as little as 2 pages and are in tiny print. As also noted in the warranty section here, APC offers 24x7 TECH SUPPORT with 1yr and 3yr EXTENDED WARRANTIES on SMC/SMT models. (12) DISPLAYS: ---------- APC SMT and Cyberpower PRxxxLCD displays: - Detailed status alerts in words. - Rotates through power/battery info so don't need to keep hitting a button. - More configuration and activating possible with display buttons. APC SMC and CyberPower CPxxxPFCLCD displays: - Great looking display using icons for novice ease of understanding. - Have to keep hitting a display button to rotate through values. - Less configuration and activating possible with display buttons. Note: Read online guides like CPxxxPFCLCD's "Function Setup Guide" to learn how to configure with display buttons. (13) SOME LITTLE THINGS: --------------------- - Event and power info logging by APC SMC/SMT and CyberPower PRxxxLCD is excellent, the latter even sporting colorful event category icons. The CPxxxPFCLCD models display event counts, not a log. - Only APC models report TEMPERATURE in the UPS. The CyberPower models react to high temperature but don't log or report it. - All these UPS recharge when off but plugged in. WHICH IS EASIEST TO USE: --------------------------- The CyberPower CPxxxPFCLCD models are the most CONSUMER-FRIENDLY and the EASIEST TO USE and manage we review here. For example: - The included GUI software is super user-friendly. - The easiest to move around, like a super heavy book. - Events/Alerts are reported in thought bubbles from the task bar of the screen. The very USER-FRIENDLY GUI (Powerpanel Personal Edition - PPPE) included has more limited, more selective configuration and monitoring capabilities. > SOME OF PPPE'S CONS: - It DOES EVENT LOGGING COUNTS WELL for different time periods and displays time of the last event. However, unlike the other models it has NO EVENT LOGGING (not even event start and stop times)**. - No ALERT EMAILING/texting (The APC's and the PR's do) with included PPPE software**. - It requires the RUNTIME LEFT on the UPS before computer shutdown to be AT LEAST 5 MINUTES. Some users prefer more control over runtime IF THEY HAVE A FAST SHUTDOWN (ex: Put OS on solid state drive). - It does NOT have LOGGING OF POWER INFO, which tracks power values like frequency, voltage, load, etc. The SMC/SMT and PRxxxLCD models do. **Note: We can download the PowerPanel Business Edition to get the EMAILING/texting alert or event logging ability on a CPxxxPFCLCD. However, PPBE is less attuned to the needs of a novice and there are compatibility issues, though if these features are critical to you, you can make it work. "ADAPTIVE SINEWAVE" DOCUMENTATION MISUNDERSTANDING FOR THE CPxxxPFCLCD MODELS: ------------------------------------ The CPxxxPFCLCD models output a PURE SINE WAVE and CyberPower states they always have. However, they still have web and paper documentation that use THEIR OLD MARKETING TERM "Adaptive Sinewave" which mistakenly suggests it produces a modified sine wave. Also a 2010 article by a respected website said this was a modified sinewave, however CyberPower says this isn't so and never was. WHAT ABOUT CYBERPOWER PP MODELS?: -------------------------- The PP models work just fine, however they don't have some features expected by the market today and are being PHASED OUT, and essentially absorbed by the long-running PR model line. HOW MUCH WATTAGE DOES MY STUFF NEED?: --------------------------------------------- You might consider measuring wattage used if you don't have a ballpark. Here are some relatively inexpensive meters/strips that measure wattage. - Watts Up Pro Electricity Consumption Meter - P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor - P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor - P3 P4330 Kill-A-Watt(R) Ps 10 Surge Protector Some examples of office computer loads: - 19" business monitor: 32W - Computer with i4770K CPU, highly efficient Active PFC power supply, low-end graphics card (just running MS office): 38W .. adjusted for mid-level graphics card (just running MS office): 70W APC SMT vs. SMC: ------------------ Some differences between the SMT and SMC models that are not noted elsewhere in this review: - SMT allows adding optional, alternative NETWORK MANAGEMENT CARDS - SMT offer greater control over utility/online to AVR transfer points - SMT has AVR boost and trim, SMC only boost - SMT has 3 year warranty, SMC 2 years - SMC has a novice friendly display with big icons (like the CPxxxPFCLCD), SMT has simple LED Text though with much more informative ALERTS - SMT offers more control and access from LED display buttons, such as sensitivity, voltage thresholds, view logs, outlet groups, self-test, diagnostics, and alarm mute. This makes SMT often a BETTER CHOICE than SMC for Apple Mac users and when no computer being battery powered. SMC buttons allow sensitivity change, alarm mute, and self-test mostly. CyberPower PRxxxLCD vs. CPxxxPFCLCD: --------------------------------------- Some differences between these model families that are not already noted elsewhere in this review: - PR models allow adding optional, alternative NETWORK MANAGEMENT CARDS - PR models offer much more control directly from the LED display buttons - PR models offer greater control over AVR to battery transfer points - PR models offer AVR boost and trim, CPxxxPFCLCD offer boost - PR models have very informative LED display with words and rotating info and alerts, the CP models have a big novice friendly display with big icons. - PR models include higher-end management software, Power Panel Business Edition (PPBE). However, you can download it separately and use with the CPxxxPFCLCD models (which include Personal Edition with its super user-friendly GUI), just expect some bugs and unusable features. BATTERY NOTES: ----------------- - All the UPS Batteries are expected to last 3-5 YEARS. - Batteries LEFT IN UPS after they are dead can SWELL UP, making removal more difficult. - CyberPower allows using THIRD PARTY BATTERIES without voiding the warranty, APC does not. - APC packaging has a CODE WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOX giving AN ADDITIONAL YEAR coverage for battery. SOME THINGS NOT TO PLUG INTO A UPS OR ON THE SAME WALL BRANCH CIRCUIT AS ONE: ------------------------------ Hook these up to a separate surge suppressor and preferably to an outlet on another branch circuit (i.e., different circuit box circuit breaker). - Laserwriter - Paper shredder - Copier - Space heater - Sump pump - Dehumidifier - Most big electrical needy machines UPS SHUTDOWN AFTER COMPUTER HIBERNATION: ----------------------------------------------- > Why Shutdown UPS? There are benefits to auto-shutting down a UPS after it shuts down a PC. By not running a battery way down the UPS can restart without manual help when power returns, battery life improves, and recharge time lessens. Also, a UPS needs to restart in order for a Windows PC to be automatically rebooted after it was shutdown if you wanted that (and if the computer allows it). > The Scenario The power returns from a blackout and you want to get back to work, so you start up the computer and while it is starting up or you are starting to work the UPS goes down crashing the computer! (and turning off anything else plugged into it). What happened? In most user or default configurations the UPS goes down 2-8 minutes or so after the command to shutdown the PC goes out. With some UPS models the UPS will then STILL GO DOWN at a set time after the computer hibernates EVEN IF THE POWER RETURNS. > Solution Test if your model does this. If so, find time before UPS shuts down after PC hibernates and TRAIN USERS NOT TO RESTART COMPUTER JUST AFTER BLACKOUT ENDS but instead for that time and to check display for time before UPS shutdown report. LINE INTERACTIVE vs. DOUBLE CONVERSION TOPOLOGIES: ------------------------------------------ LINE INTERACTIVE: These models all have a line interactive topology, this means they go from AC power to battery and back at specific voltages. There is a short transfer time usually 2-8 milliseconds depending on model. Let's now look at the next level up ... DOUBLE CONVERSION "ONLINE": - Can TOLERATE greater input fluctuations without impacting output - ZERO TRANSFER TIME to battery since output runs continuously - Significantly MORE EXPENSIVE - Often much NOISIER - Few % less efficient with electricity Examples: - APC Smart-UPS Online model RT 1500VA: APC SMART-UPS RT 1500VA (120V) - E77654 - CyberPower OL Smart App Online model OL1000RTXL2U: CyberPower Smart App Online OL1000RTXL2U - UPS - 900 Watt - 1000 VA (OL1000RTXL3U) - HOW TO REBOOT COMPUTER AFTER BLACKOUT: --------------------------------------------- APC UPS models have an option to bring a Windows PC back up after the blackout ends (assuming the UPS shut it down), and it's an easy configuration option. However, 2 prerequisites are: - The PC motherboard bios needs hibernate to be enabled - The UPS needs to have been shutdown (put to sleep is more accurate, it is still "on" if plugged in) SOME GREEN QUESTIONS ANSWERED: ----------------------- WHEN NOTHING PLUGGED INTO UPS: (a) When not recharging, they all use between 4W-9W. (b) When recharging, the CyberPower ones use 4W-8W. (c) When recharging, the APC models use 15W-17W for most of the recharge period. Note that the APC models recharge in up to 3 hours vs. the CyberPower ones taking up to 8 hours. (d) These UPS models use 1W-3W more when on than when shut-off. SUGGESTION: ------------- Given all the UPS units made, comments on Amazon and other sites can't statistically represent a large enough sampling to tell us how likely we are to get a lemon. However comments can give us a great idea WHAT TO TEST FOR just after we get them so we can more quickly check if we have a lemon so we can get an easy exchange. Some things to test for: - Is battery recharge under load much slower than claimed - Runtime with intended load - Noise under load - Set up and execute a PC hibernate or other safe shutdown - Review temperature in logs (APC only) TO THE MANUFACTURERS: ------------------------- If you find inaccuracies, please note them in comments and I'll modify accordingly.

Been using this to help keep power going for my fish tank. It's been great very ease to install. The quality and battery life are great. The size of it is a great fit.

UPDATE 3/22/20 - I have the 500 watt version (CP850PFCLCD). It has a steady load of 92 watts, which is less than 20% of its rated 500 watt capacity. Over its 15 month life, it's never had to supply power for more than 15 seconds at a time, because our backup generator comes on line within 15 seconds of a power failure. Normally the POWERPANEL software reports 100% battery capacity and estimates about 34-36 minutes of run time. When we lost power last week, the battery capacity dropped instantly to 33%, which made me doubt the estimated run time. (It did stay up for the 15 seconds needed for the generator to come online, at which point it began recharging). So I tested it later after it was fully recharged. I pulled the plug, and watched the reported battery capacity and run time drop like a rock. It shut itself off at just over 8 minutes, roughly 25% of the initially estimated run time. If you need it to stay up as long as claimed, be forewarned. UPDATE: 5/23/19 RE: Generator compatibility - Compatibility with our generator was confirmed during a recent 7 1/2 hour power outage. The UPS seamlessly covered the 15 seconds until the generator came on line - everything stayed up. And it did not complain about the quality of the generator power even with significant load fluctuations on the generator (e.g. 5 kW electric oven cycling on and off). It recharged normally from the generator power. RE: Software - experience has confirmed that the software misses a lot of short term events. It must operate by polling instead of being interrupt-driven, which is poor software design. If you want a log of events, it's really not useful. It does report current load power, voltage, and estimated run time on battery, which is useful if the UPS is hidden away (so you can't see the LCD display) as in our case. Maybe not surprisingly, tech support never got back to me (as promised) to resolve the ambiguity about competing sensitivity settings ... ORIGINAL REVIEW: We bought this UPS (the 850VA/510W model) to keep our CATV drop amp, modem, router, and computer equipment running temporarily until our standby generator kicks in about 15 seconds after power loss. Five other reviewers have described problems with generator-supplied AC (either constant cycling to and from battery power, or continuous battery drain even with generator-AC supplied). So I was worried that we would have problems too. In my limited testing the UPS has been perfectly happy with the AC supplied by our generator (Generac Guardian, 14 kW, natural gas powered). I tested it by opening the main breaker to the house to cause the generator to start. All the computer equipment stayed up and running, before and after generator start. The UPS switched off battery shortly after the generator came on line. I then introduce a large load perturbation by turning on a 7 kW electric furnace. The frequency dropped by about 2 Hz for less than a second, then recovered. But the UPS did not object, and did not switch to battery. Similarly when the 7 kW load was switched off, the frequency rose a couple of Hz for a fraction of a second. Again the UPS did not switch to battery. So no complaints yet. (Unfortunately I didn't measure the voltage sag/rebound during the load switching). The POWERPANEL Personal Windows software is OK but not great. It does not log all power events. Tech support told me that it only logs those events that occur while the application is running, but that seems odd, since there is a Cyber Power Windows service that runs continuously in the background even when the app is closed. It reports (for example) when USB communication with the UPS is lost or restored, even when the app is not running. The UPS itself does record all events, but will only display on the LCD a total count and does not break them down into boost, buck, under voltage, over voltage, and power outage the as the software does. A few days ago during a major snow storm our lights flickered all day, and the UPS reported dozens of events (the fan started and stopped often). But the software reported none. It has one other peculiar "feature." The voltage sensitivity can be specified in either of two ways: on the Settings tab, voltage button, you can select separately a minimum utility voltage and a maximum. When either threshold is crossed, the UPS should kick in. But you can also select one of three sensitivities on the Advanced tab (Low, Medium or High sensitivity) which correspond to three fixed voltage ranges documented in the manual. Of course one of these has to trump the other, but Tech support could not tell me which one rules. All in all, we've been pleased so far. I'll update the review if I get any new information. Of course given our application, I won't know how long the UPS will actually power the equipment, because we only need it for 15 seconds at a time.

This is quite a decent UPS by functionality. As for longevity – the time will tell, I am using it for a week so far. My complaint with this device is that the screen goes black very quickly. You are given only one minute after last action, and you cannot configure it to be longer or always on. You need to press buttons all the time for it to stay on. Also, the number of battery-protected outlets will likely be insufficient, if you have a lot of equipment (things like router, TV box, NAS, ethernet switches consumes tiny power, but still take a single outlet), so make sure to purchase a splitter or two.

I purchased this CyberPower CP850PFCLCD unit for a seasonal home to keep the modem and router up and running after short power blips or outages. I replaced an APC Back-UPS 450 that had a dead non-replaceable battery that was about 3 years old. The battery in the CyberPower unit is user replaceable, and you can purchase them on Amazon. I like the mini-tower form factor of the CyberPower unit. The 10 AC Jacks (5 battery & surge, and 5 surge only) are crowded on the back panel. They are not "widely-spaced" as CyberPower claims on their website and will not accept transformer sized plugs without a plug extender. Using several 12" short extenders, I was able to get everything plugged in. I do prefer having the outlets on the back of the unit instead of on top where they could collect dust, spills, etc. One of the impressive features of the CyberPower UPS is the LCD panel that gives the current battery condition, estimated runtime with existing load, input and output voltage, and current load in watts and VA. There's also an event counter so I can find out if there were any blips or outage in the AC power that occurred when I am away. The LCD panel tilts up making it easier to read if the unit is positioned on a low shelf. There's even a warning sticker on the unit advising to never lift the unit by the tilted LCD panel. It's not a handle. The 850VA/510W unit is probably overkill for my needs since I'm not powering a computer or monitor. I just need it to keep my modem and router operational in case of random or momentary power glitches in my seasonal home. I discovered one major flaw in the design of this unit. When the battery runtime is depleted, the unit shuts down. That's okay, but it doesn't start back up when the power returns, even though it's charging the battery. That means that If the power goes down for a day, and my unit shuts off after a few hours, it would not come back on until someone physically turns it on. I'm not going to travel 1,000 miles to start up my router. I will have to rely on a relative or neighbor to go to the house and press the power button to restart. In my opinion, this is a huge oversight. Every UPS unit will eventually run out of battery power. But, in my opinion, they should return to the previous state when the power comes back on so that things like routers and modems will once become operative. To summarize: Pros: * Cost effective sinewave UPS * User replaceable battery * Mini tower form factor * Colorful LCD with useful information * USB jack for computer interface (I am not using) * Excellent support. Chat session from CyberPower website was very helpful. Cons: * Crowded outlets on rear panel. Need short extenders*. * Won't reset to operative state after extended power failure * Note that extension cords or power strips plugged into the UPS will void the warranty. I don't think a 12" plug extender would be an issue, but CyberPower should make this notation in their material. The unit arrived from Amazon ready to go. The 3-year warranty includes battery. I would purchase again for my other residence if they can address the start up with dead battery issue.