Here at DRN we consider an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) an essential Home Office appliance.
We’ve spruiked the need for protection for your computer from power outages and spikes or low voltages many times on this site: here and here, for instance.
Given all that background material, let’s keep this short and sweet.
WHAT IS IT?
The CyberPower UT850EG is a small UPS with a big energy saving feature.
More on that in a moment.
Small in this context means unobtrusive, like 82W, 174H and 280D small.
It’s also relatively light at just 3.8kg. Big batteries are really never lightweight…
The 850 in the model number denotes the VA capacity. (there’s even a smaller 650 model in the UT series but we’re grateful CyberPower sent us the slightly bigger unit! The 850 will eke out another couple of minutes on a 60 Watt computer installation.
In my case, I have a work laptop (with its battery), having ditched PCs many years ago, but that doesn’t mean there are no other electronics in need of protection.
With the 3 AU outlets on the back plus data line protection, I can put the UPS to work for protecting my router, modem and security system, as an example.
The UPS requirement is more compelling for a workstation, like an iMac with a 21”screen, for instance.
That system will run for a nice 30 minutes on the electrons supplied by this CyberPower unit.
So this will give you valuable minutes to finish your computer task and properly shut down your computer.
WHAT IS IT GOOD AT?
Not only does it provide battery backup but the Simulate Sine Wave delivers safe, clean and stable power, coupled with the Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR).
The unit has overload protection and an EMI filter to suppress electronic noise.
That clean output is what electronics need for longevity.
Keeping a UPS unit in standby mode takes power of course.
For instance, my big CyberPower PR2200ELCDSL consumes about 9 watts per hour when nothing is hooked up to it…
So, when this unit’s main claim to fame is a whopping 80% energy saving, my inner greenie came alive.
They have tested this in their own labs, naturally, but it seems to have been certified by an international test laboratory as well.
It’s great marketing speak, of course, so what’s the secret sauce?
They have a patented GreenPower UPS Bypass design which also leads to a lower operating temperature.
That in itself is great for battery longevity.
And how did our own tests go?
When nothing is hooked up to the unit it consumes only a miserly 2W in standby mode.
That’s a big thumbs up in my books.
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED?
It’s hard to fault this unit. It’s simple and effective. And inexpensive.
The UT850EG comes from a long line of CyberPower UPS solutions.
Not necessary, of course, but nice would be a small display.
The 3 LEDs are sufficient indicators of the actual status of the unit.
But sometimes a display can tell a bit more about what’s happening under the hood…
However, there is also the very informative Power Management Software – as for most UPS units.
WHAT IS THE POWERPANEL?
It’s all about monitoring, scheduling and customising your CyberPower UPS.
Easy to download and install.
Plug in the cable in the USB Connectivity Port on the front and instantly the app on my PC is talking to the black box.
Everything checked out normal so I just disabled the constant beeping of the unit in case of a power outage.
There’s a lot more customising you can do and all events are logged so you can get an excellent idea how the unit has been performing.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Most every household and every business need a UPS.
This unit will suit a simple workstation scenario quite well.
The price is no barrier, really.
The UT850EG sells officially for AUD$159 but check online and you will score a better deal.
Finally, have a look at what UPS system will best suit your needs by checking out our friends at CyberPower Australia.
