A Solid Budget Power Backup

Undoubtedly, Cyber Energy Methods Inc, also called CyberPower, is without doubt one of the most famed model names in IT energy administration merchandise. The corporate was based again in 1997 and has been completely centered on the event and advertising of IT-related energy merchandise ever since. Naturally, UPS methods are the corporate’s main focus, however the firm additionally produces different power-related gear, corresponding to energy distribution items, solar-power inverters, and even cellular equipment, with availability various by area. In actual fact, CyberPower is sort of distinctive in that respect: because of its massive measurement, CyberPower is without doubt one of the only a few firms which have a real worldwide presence, with comparable energy merchandise obtainable throughout the globe.

In at this time’s evaluation, we’re taking a look at one in every of CyberPower’s hottest client UPS methods, the VP1600ELCD 1600VA (EU). The same model of the UPS can also be obtainable within the US with a 1500VA energy ranking (CP1500AVRLCD) and, clearly, completely different energy shops. This explicit design by CyberPower may be very fashionable globally because of its very excessive energy ranking coupled with its low retail worth – a worth that even competes with imported merchandise of questionable high quality. How does it carry out although? We’ll quickly discover out.  

We must always be aware that the AC conversion circuitry of UPS platforms differs relying on the area to be able to deal with the completely different voltage and frequency, subsequently there all the time are slight energy variations between in any other case comparable platforms relying on the enter voltage, with the 120V variations often being 5-10% much less highly effective.

The CyberPower ValuePro VP1600ELCD 1600 VA UPS

The CyberPower ValuePro VP1600ELCD UPS is available in a easy cardboard field, with thick packaging foam items defending the reasonably heavy unit.

Inside, we solely discover the required AC energy and USB cables, in addition to a fundamental quick-start information. There isn’t a intensive handbook or media with the software program, which needs to be downloaded on-line.

The CyberPower ValuePro VP1600ELCD is a reasonably typical tower-style UPS with an LCD display on the entrance. It measures solely 355 mm deep, 100 mm huge, and 281 mm tall (14 in × 3.9 in × 11 in), making it an especially compact unit for that top of an influence output. Much less highly effective fashions of the identical sequence are shorter, with the least highly effective being simply 227 mm (8.9 in) tall. An LCD display covers almost half of the unit’s faceplate.

As soon as turned on, the LCD display will show a abstract of the unit’s load and battery capability, in addition to the estimated runtime with the present load and battery standing. It stays off more often than not and the person must press the show button momentarily to be able to flip it on. Urgent the show button once more cycles by means of extra data, such because the enter/output voltage and frequency, the load in VA and Watts, and the precise cost of the battery.

On the rear aspect of this explicit mannequin, we discovered 5 energy plugs. 4 are for battery backup and one is for surge safety solely. As we’re testing the EU model, the plugs are Schuko (EU) plugs. Related variations of the identical unit can be found with almost all regional plugs and CyberPower additionally retails two variations (120V and 230V) with IEC plugs. The US model of the unit has a complete of twelve obtainable plugs (six related to the battery, six only for surge safety).

This explicit design gives two host knowledge connectivity choices: USB and Serial. Though a serial port is redundant for any dwelling person these days, it nonetheless stays a obligatory possibility for legacy methods or proprietary gear that doesn’t have a contemporary PC at its core. There’s additionally a non-destructive circuit breaker and an Ethernet surge safety path (input-output plugs). An skilled eye will discover that one thing is lacking and that could be a cooling fan. Regardless of the appreciable energy output of the UPS and it having a totally purposeful AVR (automated voltage regulation) mode, CyberPower designed this unit to depend on passive cooling alone.

The entrance fascia must be eliminated to be able to entry the battery compartment. It’s held by two screws on the backside aspect of the unit and could be simply pulled off when these are eliminated. As soon as eliminated, the person can see the 2 batteries of the unit, one horizontally on the backside and one vertically secured above it. The plastic retainer have to be eliminated to be able to take away the highest battery. If the batteries should be changed, the yellow wire have to be transferred to the opposite set of batteries.

We discovered two Leoch 12V 9Ah batteries within the unit, related in sequence (24V 9Ah output). Leoch is a Chinese language battery producer that’s among the many largest on the planet, and whose merchandise are usually thought-about to be of pretty good high quality. Their batteries are generally present in consumer-grade UPS items.

Splitting open the UPS, we will see an enormous transformer secured on the backside of the plastic physique. The circuitry board is hooked up to the highest. There isn’t a cooling fan and just a few vents enable for pure air circulation – this design is clearly not meant to be overtasked. The sizable transformer must be able to dealing with a couple of minutes of heavy load however it will be a grave mistake to change the batteries to be able to enhance the autonomy of this UPS.

The ability circuitry is simplistic and enormously outdated by at this time’s energy digital requirements. The relays are equipped by Golden Relays, a good producer. The capacitors are a mixture of Su’Scon and Jamicon, well-established firms whose merchandise are thought-about simply above mediocre.  

Eight CS3205 B8 MOSFETs generate the output when the unit switches to its batteries, making a elementary inversion circuitry. These explicit transistors should not previous however are designed to be low cost and comparatively dependable, with mediocre efficiency traits.