A server is the one load where a cheap UPS is a false economy. Servers dislike the brief transfer gap and the stepped waveform of an entry-level unit, and an unclean shutdown can cost you the filesystem, not just the uptime. For anything running a database, a hypervisor or a RAID array, the answer is an online (double-conversion) APC Smart-UPS with pure sine-wave output and zero transfer time.
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What draws power in this setup
Typical figures for Indian installations. Use the actual rating on your equipment where you have it — these ranges are for planning.
| Equipment | Typical draw |
|---|---|
| Entry tower server | 150 – 400 W |
| Rack server (1U, single CPU) | 200 – 500 W |
| NAS (4-bay, populated) | 40 – 80 W |
| Managed switch (24-port) | 20 – 40 W |
| Firewall / router appliance | 15 – 40 W |
| Rack KVM + monitor | 25 – 50 W |
What size UPS you need
| Your total load | Recommended UPS | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 W | 1 kVA online UPS | A single tower server with switch and router. |
| 500 – 1,100 W | 2 kVA online UPS | Two servers, or one server with a populated NAS and network gear. |
| 1,100 – 1,700 W | 3 kVA online UPS | A small rack — typical of an SME server room. |
| Above 1,700 W | 5 kVA and above | Talk to us: at this point rack layout, runtime and redundancy matter more than VA alone. |
How the numbers work: UPS VA ratings in these families assume a 0.6 power factor, so a 1100VA unit supports roughly 660 W. Size for peak draw plus about 30% headroom, not for average use.
Which type of UPS
Online / double-conversion. The load runs permanently off the inverter, so there is no transfer time at all and mains noise never reaches the server.
Genuine APC units we stock for this
All prices are GST-inclusive and every unit ships with the full APC manufacturer warranty and a GST invoice.
Do not forget safe shutdown
A UPS only buys you minutes. Connect the data cable and use APC PowerChute (or your hypervisor's native integration) so the server shuts itself down cleanly before the battery runs out. A UPS without a shutdown agent protects the hardware but not the data.
Runtime, redundancy and N+1
Longer runtime comes from extended battery packs, not from a bigger UPS. If the load genuinely cannot go down, that is an N+1 conversation about two units and a transfer switch — tell us the constraint and we will scope it.
The battery, three to five years from now
Every UPS eventually needs a new battery, and this is where buying from an authorised partner pays off. A genuine APC RBC replacement battery cartridge typically lasts 3 to 5 years. When yours is due, enter your model in the Battery Finder and it will show the exact cartridge that fits, with live pricing — or check the battery replacement chart.
What we do beyond selling you the box
- Genuine APC supply — Authorised APC by Schneider Electric partner. Factory-sealed units, full manufacturer warranty, GST invoice on every order.
- Sizing help — Tell us what you need to protect and we will size the UPS for you before you buy — on WhatsApp or by phone.
- Installation — UPS installation and on-site service, so the unit is commissioned properly rather than left in the box.
- Battery replacement — Genuine APC RBC replacement cartridges, matched to your exact model, for the life of the UPS.
- AMC — Annual Maintenance Contracts to keep business-critical power covered.
- Collection or delivery — Fast, fully-tracked delivery across India, or collect from our Bengaluru warehouse.
Frequently asked questions
What size UPS do I need for a server?
Add the real wattage of everything in the rack, add about 30% headroom, then divide by 0.6 to get the VA. A single tower server with a switch and router usually lands on a 1 kVA online UPS; a small rack with two servers and a NAS is typically 2–3 kVA. Send us your equipment list and we will size it exactly.
Can I use a Back-UPS for a server?
For a non-critical test box it will work, but we do not recommend it. A line-interactive Back-UPS has a short transfer time and a stepped waveform. Servers with active power-factor-corrected supplies can react badly to both. Use an online Smart-UPS for anything you actually depend on.
How long will a UPS run my server?
That depends entirely on the load. A 2 kVA online UPS carrying 400 W runs far longer than the same unit carrying 1,200 W. The UPS is there to bridge short cuts and to allow a clean shutdown, not to run through a long outage — for that you need extended battery packs. Tell us your load and target runtime and we will give you a real figure.
Do you install and maintain server-room UPS systems?
Yes. We supply, install and commission the UPS on site, replace batteries with genuine APC RBC cartridges, and offer Annual Maintenance Contracts. Call +91 95133 93373 for a site discussion.