APC BACK-UPS RS BR1500LCD 1500VA/865W UPS System
by APC
Our Price: $368.50
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $100.00 (click here)
Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: APCAudio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD
Platform: Windows
Model: BR1500LCD
Product features:
- Six battery backup/surge protected outlets keep critical devices running during outages and fluctuations; two surge only outlets protect non-critical devices.
- Auto Shutdown Software allows management of the Back-UPS from your computer via USB interface, saves files and shuts down system when battery is low.
- Data Line Surge Protection guards against surges and spikes traveling over an analog phone line; Building Wiring Fault Indicator detects problems in building wiring.
- LCD graphics display with text and mimic diagrams that display modes of operation, system parameters and alarms; audible alarms indicate changing utility power and UPS conditions.
- Three year warranty; $150,000 equipment protection policy, free technical phone and online support, data recovery services
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of APC BACK-UPS RS BR1500LCD 1500VA/865W UPS System
Customer Review: A decent UPS
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Back-UPS BX1500 XS which is virtually identical to the RS that Amazon sells, and also a 900VA USRetail Only Back-UPS BX900 XS at a brick and mortar store (happened to be in the right place at the right time for good value on each). These are the second and third APC UPS I have bought, the first being an earlier version of the APC Back-UPS RS, 780 Watts / 1200 VA,Input 120V / Output 120V, Interface Port USB, Rack Height 2 U UPS System. They all are quite similar in feel and operation, despite some obvious differences in physical looks.
DISPLAY
Though almost twice the cost of the 900VA model, I greatly prefer the BX1500 XS. The display is no gimmick -- it's quite helpful in showing you real-time loads with AC power on, the load and estimated run time with AC power off, and a few other things like the voltage level (see other reviews or product description for all of the functions). It's easy to use, and unlike the BX900, is absolutely, completely, dead quiet. There is no fan noise at all. Only when in battery operation, you can hear a slight wizzzing sound as the DC-AC converters turn 12 DC into 120 VAC for you, but it's certainly not objectionable.
BEEP
I dislike APC's choice to ship all models with a power beep option enabled, so that it beeps at you every minute when the input AC is off....like you wouldn't have noticed. You can, and I have, turned this beep off with the PowerChute software the unit ships with, but some buyers may not know this. I can just imagine my family visiting while I'm at work, and a power outage occurs...beep beep beep...beep beep beep...beep beep beep. Unplugging it would be their first reaction, only to find it would make no difference! I would warn anyone with non-computer illiterate people around, or those who will not use the unit with a computer to at least once connect the unit through it's USB to a computer and set this and other options up with the PowerChute software. Some may suggest this is a computer accessory and should work this way, but really it's a general purpose UPS (which APC's own customer survey card acknowledges by asking you what type of equipment you are going to use it for). I would personally have preferred a physical alarm-cut-off switch, or even just an initial beep when first switching to battery, then nothing afterward.
OUTPUT WAVEFORM
I have uploaded some blurry (sorry) pictures to the product to show the typical, sine-wave output the unit delivers when on AC, and the step pattern that is output on backup power. This is a typical waveform, and the vast majority of consumer electronics will accept this mock-sine wave alternative, but some won't. I read at least one review here about a user with an iMac who said it made his computer's power supply buzz. True-sine outputs are expensive on a UPS, and I hardly blame APC for using this common output waveform. However, you might wish to test the UPS on battery with whatever equipment you plan to operate it from before your return period expires, (or in the case of Amazon which does not allow returns for this product, to beg/borrow/steal one from someone first to try it out) just to make sure it works for you.
LEAD ACID BATTERIES
APC uses lead-acid batteries. These tend to wear out much more quickly if you deep-discharge them. I have set my UPS's to turn off after 5 minutes using PChute, rather than the "as long as possible" option, as the latter tends to run the battery all the way down. As many of you will probably be aware, APC batteries are expensive.
POWERCHUTE
The PowerChute software is nice, showing you status updates on power remaining, settings of how or when you want your computer to shutdown, should it be powered by the UPS and connected with a USB cord, etc. I'm not using the UPS for computers, so I'm not using PChute, but it's not just some junk software.
WATTS vs VOLT-AMPS
Something I don't care for is how APC rates their units, in this case with a rating of 865 Watts, but a "backslash 1500 VA", which implies they are somehow different things. I guess I may have skipped that lecture in college, but for 30 years I have always been taught and understood with peers that watts and volt-amps are the same thing. I'm sure someone has a clever, merchandising explanation of why that isn't so (chuckle). Folks, this is an 865 Watt model, and if James Watt were still alive, he'd tell you that whether you use watts or volt-amps, this thing supports 865 of them (less as the batteries age) for it's rated output time. Maybe a higher surge of 1500 watts/volt-amps is possible, but the units of watts and volt-amps are still the same thing. If there is some other reason to use different units, maybe as an average over time or conduction angle, etc. then by all means set me straight in the comments section and I will update the review. Hey, I didn't like slogans like "Digital Ready" or diagonally measuring TV screens either when that first started. I guess it's what you have to do when your competitors are doing it too.
In the end, there is no question....this is a nice UPS. Despite the fact it costs around double the BX900, the feature of the display is more worthwhile to me, as is the totally silent standby operation. Some new UPS's are on the market now, so you may be able to snag this excellent model for a good price. Until and unless true-sine wave models come into this price range, there is absolutely nothing lacking for this model.
Description of APC BACK-UPS RS BR1500LCD 1500VA/865W UPS System
APC BACK-UPS RS BR1500LCD 1500VA/865W UPS SystemAPC's BR1500LCD offers high performance protection for your business and office computer systems. It provides abundant battery backup power, allowing you to work through medium and extended length power outages (3.1 minutes at full load, and 11.7 minutes at half). It also safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along utility, phone and network lines. Automatic voltage regulation (AVR) instantly adjusts both low and high voltages to safe levels, so you can work indefinitely during brownouts and overvoltage situations, saving the battery for power outages when you need it most. Award-winning shutdown software automatically powers down your computer system in the event of an extended power outage. Additional features like audible alarms, LED status indicators, user replaceable battery, push-button circuit breakers and plentiful outlets (including transformer-block spaced outlets) make the Back-UPS RS the perfect unit to protect your business' productivity from the constant threat of power problems and lost data.
Protect Your Equipment
The APC BR1500LCD boasts eight surge-protected power outlets total, with six offering battery backup. Backup runs for 3.1 minutes at full load (865W) and 11.7 minutes at half (432.5W), giving you plenty of time to close files and protect data during power outages.
Battery Failure Notification
Get early-warning fault analysis on batteries, so you can take action before it's too late.
Cold-Start Capable
Provides temporary battery power when the utility power is out.
User-Replaceable Batteries
Perform upgrades and replace batteries yourself. Hot-swappable batteries ensure clean, uninterrupted power to protected equipment while you replace them. No tools necessary.
Disconnected Battery Notification
Get a warning when a battery is not available to provide backup power.
Dataline Surge Protection
Protect your connected equipment from power surges that may occur over data lines.
Boost Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR)
Preserves battery life and maximizes runtime by correcting low voltages without discharging the battery.
Automatic Self-Test
A periodic battery self-test ensures early detection of a battery that needs replacing--no need for you to check manually.
Adjustable Voltage-Transfer Points
Maximizes useful battery life by widening the input voltage window or tightening the output voltage regulation.
Adjustable Voltage Sensitivity
Provides the ability to adapt the UPS for optimal performance in specific power environments or generator applications.
Audible Alarms
Provides notification of changing utility power and UPS conditions.
USB Connectivity
Connect to your PC or Mac to manage your UPS using APC's PowerChute software.
Transformer-Block Spaced Outlets
Convenient spacing allows you to protect equipment with input transformer blocks (aka "wall warts") without blocking access to other receptacles.
Intelligent Battery Management
Maximize battery performance, life, and reliability thanks to intelligent, precision charging.
Safety-Agency Approved
Tested and approved to work safely with the connected service provider equipment and within the specified environment.
Lifetime Data Recovery Warranty
Get a little peace of mind with a warranty that includes professional data recovery services in the event data is lost due to the failure of the unit.
LCD Graphics Display
Text and mimic diagrams that display modes of operation, system parameters and alarms.
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