UPS - APC vs Cyberpower?
Posted by beramaan@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 9 comments
I've seen lots of information supporting getting a UPS and I'm looking at getting my first UPS. Its only purpose is to tuly protect from surges, brown outs, and black outs spiking my PC. Surge protectors don't really work well after one, so gonna try this solution. While looking I've seen APC and CyberPower, does anyone have any experience with one over the other? any recommendations between the two?
reijun@reddit
I have used both but I prefer APC. Recently ran into a problem with a CyberPower UPS and had this interaction with their support team:
Thanks for the response. For this reason, it is possible that the unit must have maximized its useful lifespan already. Normally, batteries and the unit can last up to 3 to 5 years and above, however, it will still depend on how the unit is being used. Factors that may affect the battery and the unit’s performance its age, storage area, the load that unit bears, and power outage occurrences.
Possible Cause:
1. Either UPS or the connected devices short circuit.
2. The circuit used to detect output voltage has broken down.
3. Input Relay or the Relay control circuit has broken down.
I would recommend getting a new unit to ensure the safety of your electronic devices. Should you want to check other CyberPower products, you may visit this link - https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/
Best Regards,
Technical Support
Cyber Power Systems (USA), Inc.
levipenske@reddit
Just ran into CyberPower customer "support" for an issue where power is completely cut to my PC. After about 5 email exchanges they told me their "CP1500PFCLCD (1500VA/1000W) is unable to handle the power supply unit (PSU)" that is rated for 1000w..... My estimated wattage pull is about 750w and I added 25% on top of that to help make my selection. Their suggestion for this 1 month old unit is to replace it with a bigger one. I asked them if they would upgrade my unit or refund the purchase price and recommend a specific unit and they said no. Outside of my return window or that is exactly what I would be doing. Returning ALL of the UPS's I just purchased.
Steer clear because they don't stand behind their products. Lessons learned though. I will never buy another CyberPower product and I will tell family, friends and clients to do the same.
sticks435@reddit
My CP1500PFCLCD just failed after 9 years on the original set of batteries. I was getting F03. Reached out to consumer support and they said that error meant charging board failure, but the unit was still supplying 27-28V of charging power. They did say the batteries last 3-5 years, but that the unit was good for 7-10 years.
Worried-Scarcity-410@reddit
I have over 10 CyberPower UPS at home, 4 x CP1500PFCLCD,, 2x CP1000PFCLCD, 3x SL700U and 1x EC650LCD. The CP1500PFCLCD I owned them for about 7 years. No issues at all. I replaced battery once. PC can have wattage spikes when you launch heavy apps or multiple apps concurrently, so a 1000W UPS may not be able to handle a 1000W PSU when it spikes. It is a known fact. However, if you plug the PSU into the surge protection only outlets, it will work because they are pass through outlets. I don’t see any issues with Cyberpower support. There is nothing wrong with the UPS. It is not defective. You just bought the wrong Wattage. Maybe if you only plug the PSU to the battery backup outlets, and your monitor to the pass through outlets, your problem would be solved. Also, 1000W is plenty of power. Instead of returning, you could have keep it and use it for your other electronics like TVs, laptops or second computer that demands less power.
xeonrage@reddit
Spend the money and it doesn't matter. Both have good products around $200 at the 1500va range.
beramaan@reddit (OP)
Why the higher VA range vs one to just be a stop gap?
xeonrage@reddit
It never hurts to have some extended range. Not an area I'd cheap out, personally.
I have an APC on my Synology NAS and network gear, and a cyber power on my desktop PC. No reason, just the deals at the time.
Ripe-Avocado-12@reddit
Used both, it really depends on the specific model in question. For example, costco canada has a cyber power sku which is junk, but cyber power themselves they have a ton of other models which are great. Just make sure whatever model you pick has a decent review or purchase history validated by others.
loztriforce@reddit
I work in IT and it’s just my anecdotal experience but I’ve seen many of those cheap cyberpower UPCs getting tossed after they stop working.
I’d suggest spending a bit more and getting something like the apc smartups 750.