Battery Capacity Formula:
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Battery capacity in ampere-hours (Ah) determines how long a UPS can power connected equipment. It's calculated based on the UPS load, required backup time, and battery voltage.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula converts the power requirement (VA) to current (A) and multiplies by the required backup time to get capacity in ampere-hours.
Details: Proper battery sizing ensures your UPS can provide adequate backup time during power outages and prevents overloading the battery system.
Tips: Enter the total VA rating of all connected equipment, desired backup time in hours, and battery bank voltage. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: How do I find my UPS load in VA?
A: Check the nameplate ratings of all connected equipment and sum their VA ratings, or use a power meter to measure actual load.
Q2: What's a typical battery voltage for UPS systems?
A: Common voltages are 12V (small UPS), 24V, 36V, or 48V (larger systems). Check your UPS specifications.
Q3: Should I add a safety margin to the calculated capacity?
A: Yes, it's recommended to add 20-30% extra capacity to account for battery aging and efficiency losses.
Q4: How does battery type affect capacity?
A: Different battery chemistries (lead-acid, lithium-ion) have different discharge characteristics that may affect actual runtime.
Q5: Can I connect multiple batteries to increase capacity?
A: Yes, batteries can be connected in parallel to increase capacity (Ah) while maintaining the same voltage.