APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA (BR1500) UPS System
- Output Power (VA): 1500 VA
- Max Backup Time With Full Load: 3.7 Minutes
- Output Power (W): 865 W
- Platform: PC, Mac
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Not for sensitive equipment
Pros
Price, Capacity, Footprint, Appearance, Outlets
Cons
Poor power quality
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Do not buy the RS1500 (BR1500) for use with sensitive equipment.
I bought the RS1500 (BR1500) because I had an older APC Backup-UPS Pro 1400 that worked great and the RS1500 appeared to be a good combination of price and capacity. And the RS1500 appeared to work well until I installed an application that used Windows' DirectDraw capability. Then, every time when COMING OUT OF a power failure, the DirectDraw area would turn pink. Use of an oscilloscope revealed that as the RS1500 switched from battery mode back to AC power, it introduced a voltage spike (-16V to -92V in less than 1 millisecond). That RS1500 spike caused a spike (2.4V to 6V in less than 1 millisecond) on the 5V line in the computer power supply (Antec TruePower 430). At which point I became concerned about damaging any equipment that might be plugged into the RS1500's Battery-Mode outlets.
Ultimately APC support told me that this behavior was within spec. However, prior to this revelation, they shipped me a replacement RS1500 that exhibited the same problem. They have agreed to pay for the return shipping of the replacement.
When in battery mode, the RS1500 produces a stepped sine wave, rather than a true sine wave. I'm going to give APC one more chance and have ordered an APC Smart-UPS SUA1500, which is more expensive than the RS1500 but is supposed to produce a true sine wave.
Ultimately APC support told me that this behavior was within spec. However, prior to this revelation, they shipped me a replacement RS1500 that exhibited the same problem. They have agreed to pay for the return shipping of the replacement.
When in battery mode, the RS1500 produces a stepped sine wave, rather than a true sine wave. I'm going to give APC one more chance and have ordered an APC Smart-UPS SUA1500, which is more expensive than the RS1500 but is supposed to produce a true sine wave.
