If you are going to buy a UPS only for your modem or wireless router, read this.
Most of the UPS require a minimum load to function properly. If we dont give a minimum load, the UPS will turn off after 5 to 6 minitues.
Usually the minimum load is around 50W. And modems and wireless routers consume only around 5 to 8W. So if you connect only a modem or router, you wont get huge backup time.
Recently i bought an iBall UPS for my wireless router. The router is of around 7W. And i am getting a backup time of 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, it will switch off and internet is disconnected. So i need to restart it again to get 5 more minutes. And nothing was specified in iBall UPS’s manual.
So, before buying a UPS for your modem, ask the dealer specifically whether the UPS supports low watt devices. Some shop owners sell modified UPS which will work with low watt devices and gives more than two hours backup time.
Update: After fighting for half an hour with the shop keeper, I exchange the iBall UPS with APC BR600CI-IN UPS by paying 550 Rs extra. And APC UPS gives better backup time for my wireless DSL router.
I have iBall UPS and the tech team from iBall has asked me to get the UPS to service center and ask the service engineer to disable “No load discharge protection”.
Hi Murali,
How many hours back up do you get now? Whats the model number of iBall UPS you use and the cost of it?
This is the exact same problem that I am facing too. I was told that putting a low wattage bulb on the circuit will enhance the backup time. I am yet try this out though.
The problem with most UPS systems is that their internal loads (mostly inverter) is larger than your router. You would think they will last a long time with a small load but they won’t. I’m having trouble finding a UPS designed for low load (less than 100 watts) for extended periods. Most small UPS systems are designed to get you 10 minutes to save your work and shut down. –Jerry