Problems

Average lifetime of the built-in battery in APC Back-UPS 700 is 3-5 years old(no more than 40 charge / discharge cycles per year). After that, it loses its initial capacity and when the UPS switches to standby mode, it simply turns off the device (if the output voltage drops below 190 V, the circuit is automatically disconnected to protect the supplied device).

Possible breakdowns

The most common failure of installed batteries is a drop in terminal voltage, indicating that some of the battery sections are out of order.

A modern personal computer is a collection of components that are quite expensive. That is why, if something burns out due to a power surge, the user himself will be to blame, and not the power grid. And the careless owner of the PC will have to pull out the hair on his head. After all, it was only necessary to buy a source and all components of the system would remain intact. The UPS not only keeps the computer running when the power is turned off, but also stabilizes the incoming current, avoiding sudden voltage surges. And now we will talk about the APC Back-UPS ES 700 UPS. This is a good budget solution for the home.

A little about the company

ARS was founded back in 1981 on the basis of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She specialized in the production of voltage stabilizers and uninterruptible power supplies. In this form, the company existed until 2007. And then it was bought by the French engineering company Shneider Electric. And now ARS is a subsidiary that produces uninterruptible power supplies for the needs of users.

The company's entry into the Schneider concern did not affect its productivity in any way. Its products are still marketed and are equally popular with personal computer owners. The developer has the most different models for various needs: from simple blocks to multifunctional combines. The APC Back-UPS ES 700 uninterruptible power supply belongs to budget options and suits almost everyone. Let's analyze it in more detail.

Contents of delivery

The UPS comes in an inconspicuous recycled cardboard box. Inside there is the unit itself, a user manual, a warranty card, a bunch of unnecessary papers on safe operation, a connecting cable for connecting to a computer, a 62PC telephone cable and a disk with drivers and software... As you can see, everything is pretty strict. Aged in the corporate minimalist style of ARS. An interesting thing is the manufacturer's lifetime insurance. It is also included in the kit. According to this document, the company gives a lifetime warranty for its products. And in case of failure of any component, you should send the entire device to the manufacturer (at your own expense) and you will be sent a new one. And who will do this with us? It's easier to buy a new one.

The most interesting thing is that the user manual includes Russian. This is a sign that the manufacturing company is really solid and wants people to trust it. Many people neglect language support. But not ARS.

Appearance and design

Uninterrupted APC Back-UPS ES 700 looks like a black plastic box with a bunch of connectors for connecting PC power cables. The body is completely made of durable plastic. The battery of the device is hidden in the lower part of the case. Thanks to him, the device turned out to be heavy. There is nothing interesting in the appearance of this UPS. The corporate identity of ARS is felt. But nothing more. There is not much to squeeze out of the design. So it's better to go straight to the technical specifications.

Specifications

The maximum input voltage to the device must be 230 Volts. No more. Otherwise, the uninterruptible power supply will not survive. And no voltage rectifier will help. At the same time, the UPS supplies 230 Volts direct current with all the corrections. The output power of the unit is 405 watts. Working hours personal computer on UPS battery depends on configuration system unit... But the average figures are: at half load - 15 minutes, at full load - 4 minutes. Indicators are average. Which was expected at such and such a price.

If the Back-UPS ES 700 beeps, there is something wrong with the battery. The unit is equipped with a special indicator, which also indicates the presence of problems with the battery. But it can be easily replaced with a new one. Finding the same cartridge is not difficult. Some "craftsmen" even manage to install in this UPS car batteries... And what? Perfect solution. They live longer. But it's better to use the original components anyway.

Owner reviews

Reviews are incredibly important when choosing a particular product. They can show how the device behaves in real conditions and how reliable it is. And in the case of uninterruptible power supplies, the last factor is especially important. So what users say about UPS Back-UPS ES 700. The price is the first thing that made people happy. It really costs a little. Many owners note the long battery life and built-in technology that prevents the battery from wearing out quickly. The unit works quietly, does not bother. It starts to make noise only when it switches to autonomous power supply... In general, almost all owners this device happy with his work. And this is the most important thing.

However, there were also dissatisfied comrades. Some of them immediately "died" of the battery. Apparently, they came across a device with a factory defect. There were also some complaints about the UPS ES 700. The battery, for example, did not want to charge. But these are all isolated cases. The owners of ancient computers were especially amused, who stated that they did not have drivers installed. Of course, if they are still running Windows 2000, then this is very likely. You need to carefully read the specifications of the device. And then such questions will not arise. And you also need to properly and safely operate the uninterruptible power supply. And then there will be no problems with him at all.

Operating rules

In order for the APC Back-UPS ES 700 uninterruptible power supply to last as long as possible and not burn your apartment, you need to follow the basic rules of safe operation. Remember, never install an uninterruptible power supply near radiators. Especially in winter. It turns out that uninterruptible batteries are a very delicate thing. When they overheat, they flow, flood those parts of the UPS that are energized and those, in turn, burn out. And it's good if the body does not melt at the same time. So do not put your Back-UPS ES 700 to the batteries. The instruction in Russian will surely warn you about this. But who reads it?

Another rule is that pets should not be allowed access to an uninterruptible power supply. If your cat or dog decides to chew on the wires of the uninterruptible power supply, then there are two options for the development of this situation. In the first of them, your pet will not be weak. electric shock and all subsequent actions for its resuscitation will be useless. In the second option, a short circuit will occur and then a fire. In accordance with all the laws of the genre. Do not let animals play with energized appliances. It is important.

Features of device replacement under warranty

ARS has a very specific vision of the warranty service procedure. They strictly prohibit users from contacting the seller of the uninterruptible power supply. They invite users to send them the damaged device themselves, and the company will send another in return. New. Well, who will do this with us? Especially when you consider that you will have to send an uninterruptible power supply at your own expense. And the prices for postal services are not particularly encouraging. Moreover, it will have to be sent to the USA.

So, we can say with confidence that ARS products do not have warranty service as such. At least for our country. After all, imagining our person sending a faulty device somewhere at his own expense is simply not enough imagination. But usually there are no problems with uninterruptible power supplies from APC. And if they do, then the sellers meet the client halfway and change the defective goods themselves.

Conclusion

The APC Back-UPS ES 700 uninterruptible power supply is optimal solution for home and office. It is easy to use, low maintenance and cheap. And the last factor for many may be decisive. The uninterruptible power supply proved to be excellent when working in real conditions. Also pleases the presence of the user manual in Russian. You just need to follow the rules of safe operation. And then the device will work faithfully for a long time.

An uninterruptible power supply, or as the common people call it UPS (BACK UPS), is essentially a step-up converter and Charger in one case. The device is very useful, especially for PC owners. The device can autonomously power the computer if, for some reason, the electricity is suddenly turned off. Unfortunately, the built-in battery does not allow powering the computer for a long time, since its capacity is limited to 7 amperes (in some powerful models, the battery costs up to 15-20A). Let's move on to the battery itself.

Uninterruptible voltage supplies use a closed helium or acid battery. The built-in battery is usually designed for a capacity of 7 to 8 Amperes / hour, voltage - 12 volts. The battery is completely sealed, which allows you to use the device in any condition. In addition to the battery, inside you can see a huge transformer, in this case 400-500 watts. The transformer operates in two modes -

1) as a step-up transformer for a voltage converter.

2) as a step-down mains transformer for charging the built-in battery.

When working in normal mode the load is supplied by the filtered mains voltage. Filters are used to suppress electromagnetic and interference in the input circuits. If the input voltage drops below or above the set value, or disappears altogether, the inverter turns on, which is normally off. By converting the DC voltage of the batteries into AC, the inverter supplies the load from the batteries. BACK UPS of the Off-line class operate uneconomically in power grids with frequent and significant voltage deviations from the nominal value, since frequent switching to battery operation reduces the service life of the latter. The power produced by the manufacturers of Back-UPS is in the range of 250-1200 VA. uninterruptible voltage BACK UPS is quite complicated. In the archive you can download a large collection schematic diagrams, and below are several reduced copies - click to enlarge.

Here you can find a special controller that is responsible for the correct operation of the device. The controller activates the relay when the mains voltage is absent and if the UPS is on, it will work as a voltage converter. If the mains voltage reappears, the controller turns off the converter and the device turns into a charger. The capacity of the built-in battery can be enough for up to 10 - 30 minutes, if, of course, the device powers the computer. You can read more about the operation and purpose of UPS nodes in this book.

BACK UPS can be used as a backup power source; in general, it is recommended to have an uninterruptible power supply for every home. If the uninterruptible power supply is intended for household needs, then it is advisable to remove the signaling device from the board, it reminds that the device works as a converter, it makes a reminder with a squeak every 5 seconds, and this is boring. The output of the converter is pure 210-240 volts 50 hertz, but as for the pulse shape, there is clearly not a pure sine. BACK UPS can supply any household appliances, including active, of course, if the power of the device allows it.

APC Back UPS is a series of devices designed specifically for use in a domestic environment. Such devices are in great demand today, which is explained by the affordable cost and sufficient (low and medium) level of performance. APC Back UPS versions are capable of operating during short power outages.

For what purposes are used

Whatever the uninterruptible power supply, its main task is always to provide the consumer with high-quality electricity, with a minimum level of noise and various kinds of interference for a while, while there is no connection to the mains. Back UPS is no exception, however, this group of devices was created for a certain category of consumers, due to the technical characteristics of the device.

So, the level of performance does not allow the use of this technique in harsh conditions. Recommended tasks for solving by means of this group of devices are home use. Moreover, these uninterruptible power supplies are able to protect equipment from surges passing through telephone, electrical and coaxial lines.

Manufacturer information

Uninterruptible Power Supplies of this type are the result of the activities of an entire corporation American power Conversion, which was registered in 1981. At the initial stage as a part of working group only three engineers worked. Five years after founding, the company receives its first product award. Until 2004, the number of awards reaches 100.

Since 2007, the corporation becomes the property of Schneider Electric. But the Back UPS series has retained its name. Today, there is a separate division, the main task of which is the development and production of equipment for the protection of energy supply.

Model overview

Back UPS is available in several flavors. Each of them also has a certain number of performances:

• HS series - floor-standing single-phase devices rated for 500 VA;
• APC devices Back UPS CS with power from 350 to 650 VA (desktop equipment);
• RS series - floor standing devices with power from 500 to 1500 VA;
• APC devices Back UPS ES 400-700 VA (for installation on a table).

Devices from the latter group are very popular, which is primarily the result of a good balance of build quality, reliability of operation and acceptable cost of equipment.

Watching a video about the ES 525 model:

APC Back UPS devices of this series are presented in versions, each of which differs in power: 400, 525, 550, 700 VA. The larger the value of this parameter, the greater its performance. For example, the ES 525 variant allows input voltage fluctuations in the range from 160 to 280 V, switching to battery occurs in 5 ms. The APC Back UPS ES 525 version protects the consumer from voltage fluctuations and filters noise in the network.

Depending on the load applied to the equipment of this model, the duration of operation in offline... So, APC Back UPS ES 525 at maximum load will work for about 4 minutes, and with an average performance level, the operating time increases almost four times. APC Back UPS ES 525 is equipped with 4 outlets, one of which has surge protection.

Another variant of the same group is APC Back UPS ES 700. Its total output power is 700 VA, the active component is 400 W. When switching to battery mode, a fairly high level of stability of the output voltage is observed - up to 5% fluctuations.

ES 700 series

APC Back UPS ES 700 operates in autonomous mode for almost the same length of time (3.9 minutes at full load, 15 minutes at partial load). APC Back UPS ES Model 700 provides consumer protection against high voltage surges, protection of telephone lines and local networks, and filtering of interference.

If we consider another group of devices, then we can highlight the APC Back UPS CS 500 version. Single-phase device designed for power up to 500 VA.

The color scheme of the case is light. The range of fluctuations of the input mains voltage is approximately the same as that of the previously considered versions: 160-282 V, while the APC Back UPS CS 500 provides even more reliable operation of the consumer, since when switching to the autonomous power supply mode, the CS 500 model does not more than 3% of the voltage value error. The device goes into battery mode in an average of 10 ms. It is possible to replace the battery, and for the convenience of APC users, the Back UPS CS 500 version provides a light indication.

We watch a video about the Back UPS ES 650 model:

Another popular variant of the same group, which has a rather high level performance - APC Back UPS CS 650. This version is on a number of basic technical characteristics identical to the above considered analogs (input voltage and frequency range, type of current - single-phase). APC Back UPS CS 650, as can be seen from the designation, operates at 650 VA.

However, a noticeable drawback this option consists in short-term work when the network is disconnected. APC Back UPS CS 650 version operates at full load for no more than 2.4 minutes. But we must not forget that the main field of application of such equipment is home PCs, then the capabilities of the Back UPS CS 650 models are quite enough to complete the work processes on the computer.

Advantages and disadvantages of products of this brand

UPS 500 Series

Considering a number of advantages of this technique, it is quite understandable why it is so popular:

• Long battery life;
• The APC Back UPS Series offers improved reliability due to build quality;
• Consumer protection from interference, network noise and high-voltage surges;
• APC Series Back UPS protects local area networks and telephone lines of voltage drops;
• High speed of transition to offline mode;
• USB interface.

Of the shortcomings, only the cost can be distinguished, since the most modest performance characteristics of the APC Back UPS series are offered at a price that is slightly higher than that of similar devices from other brands. But even the most affordable devices are of high quality.

For example, the APC Back UPS CS 500 version is offered at a price of 5,500 rubles. Accordingly, more efficient equipment will cost more. But the APC Back UPS ES model 525 is offered at a noticeably lower price - 4,400 rubles, despite the fact that its power is slightly higher than the previously reviewed version.

How do buyers evaluate products?

APC's Back UPS series almost universally receive positive reviews... But there are also some remarks. For example, depending on the design, the device can make a noticeable noise. And the cost does not always satisfy buyers, someone even prefers to purchase an analogue of another company for reasonable price... The rest of the APC Back UPS 500 devices and other models of different series of this brand have no complaints.

And in some cases, it is even possible to restore a battery that has worked out its life. Considering that many models use maintenance-free batteries, the ability to restore their functions using improvised means is very attractive. In addition, the APC Back UPS ES model 525 and other versions of this series fully satisfy the requirements of customers, and therefore this kind of equipment is very popular.