Standby (offline) UPS units are battery backup devices that keep computers, routers, NAS drives and other small office or home equipment running through a power cut. Our range of more than ten models includes units from TECNOWARE, APC, REBEL and DIGITUS, and some line-interactive designs are listed alongside the standby ones.
How to choose a standby UPS
Power capacity. Add up the wattage of everything you plan to connect and pick a UPS whose output power is comfortably above that total. Models in our range are rated from 0.7 kVA to 1.5 kVA, with output power figures such as 420 W, 780 W and 865 W. The watt figure matters more than the VA figure, because it is the real limit on what you can plug in.
Topology. A pure standby UPS passes mains power straight through and switches to the battery when the supply fails. A line-interactive model also corrects moderate over- and undervoltage without using the battery. If your area has frequent brownouts or surges, line-interactive is the more sensible choice, and some units in our range are listed as such.
Input voltage window. A wider accepted input range means the UPS tolerates more fluctuation before it drops to battery. Minimum input voltages in our range include 88 V and 176 V, and maximum values include 143 V and 294 V. Compare these figures if your supply is unstable.
Outlets and sockets. Count the devices you need to protect and check the socket type. Our range includes units with 6 or 8 outlets, and sockets such as C13 couplers, NEMA 5-15 and Type E / F. A C13 socket needs a suitable power lead, so check that the plugs on your equipment fit before you order.
Recharge time and runtime. Standby units are built to give you a few minutes of power, enough to save your work and shut down properly, not to run a desk for hours. Recharge times listed for models in our range include 8, 12 and 16 hours, which is worth knowing if power cuts tend to come in quick succession.
Standby UPS brands we carry
- TECNOWARE: an Italian manufacturer that focuses on UPS systems, and the brand with the most standby models in this category.
- APC: part of Schneider Electric and best known for its Back-UPS series aimed at home and small office users.
- DIGITUS: a brand known for network and cabling accessories, which makes its UPS units a natural fit for IT and networking setups.
- POWER WALKER: the UPS brand of BlueWalker, a German company that specialises in power protection.
Also in our range: REBEL, ARMAC and DSIT.
Standby UPS frequently asked questions
What is a standby UPS?
A standby UPS is a battery backup that supplies mains power to your equipment under normal conditions and switches to its battery when the mains fails. The switchover takes a few milliseconds, which most computers and network devices handle without a restart. It is the simplest and usually the most affordable type of UPS.
What is the difference between standby and line-interactive UPS?
A line-interactive UPS adds automatic voltage regulation to the standby design. It can raise or lower the incoming voltage within a certain range without switching to the battery, which saves battery wear in areas with unstable power. A basic standby unit simply waits for an outage.
What size UPS do I need for a desktop PC?
Check the power draw of your PC, monitor and any other connected devices, then choose a UPS with an output rating in watts above that total. A basic desktop setup often fits within the lower ratings, such as 420 W, while a more powerful PC with several peripherals needs a model rated nearer 780 W or 865 W. Leave some margin rather than running the UPS at its limit.
How long will a standby UPS run my equipment?
Most standby UPS units run a typical desktop PC for only a few minutes, and a light load such as a router can run considerably longer. Runtime falls as the connected load rises. The purpose is to give you time to save files and shut down safely, not to keep working through a long outage.
