Load shedding changed the rules for UPS buying
If you’re shopping for a UPS in South Africa, you’re not alone. Between load shedding stages and unexpected outages, a UPS is no longer optional for anyone working from home or running a business.
But buying the wrong UPS is worse than not having one. It won’t last long enough, it won’t protect your equipment properly, or it’ll cost you more than it should. Here’s what actually matters.
VA vs Watts: the spec that catches people out
Every UPS is rated in VA (Volt-Amps) and Watts. The VA number is always higher. A 1500VA UPS typically delivers about 900W of actual power. The ratio is called the power factor, and for most modern UPS units it’s 0.6 to 0.9.
Rule of thumb: Check the Watt rating, not the VA rating. That’s the real number that tells you what you can plug into it.
What do you need to keep running?
Home office (router + laptop + monitor)
You need about 200-300W of runtime for 1-2 hours. A 1000VA/600W line-interactive UPS will cover your router, laptop charger, and monitor. Add another if you want your fibre ONT on backup too.
Small business (server + network + 5 PCs)
Budget 800-1500W. You want a 2000VA or 3000VA UPS with extended runtime. Rack-mount units are cleaner for server rooms. Don’t forget to put your PoE switches on UPS for IP phones and access points.
Point of sale (till + receipt printer + router)
About 200-400W. A 1500VA/900W UPS keeps the till running through a 2-hour outage. Make sure the UPS has pure sine wave output if you’re running receipt printers off it.
CCTV system (NVR + 4-8 cameras)
4 cameras on PoE plus an NVR draws about 60-80W. A 600VA UPS gives you 1-2 hours of recording through load shedding. Critical if you need continuous surveillance.
Line-interactive vs Online (Double Conversion)
Line-interactive UPS
Most common in SA. Switches to battery when power drops, with a 2-6ms transfer time. Fine for computers, routers, and most IT equipment. Costs R800-R3,000 for typical home/office sizes.
Online (double conversion) UPS
Constantly runs power through the battery. Zero transfer time. Required for sensitive equipment like servers, medical devices, and high-end audio. Costs R5,000-R20,000+.
Battery types
| Type | Lifespan | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead-acid (VRLA/AGM) | 2-4 years | R800-R3,000 | Home office, budget setups |
| Lithium-ion | 5-8 years | R2,500-R8,000 | Business, frequent cycling |
| Portable power station | 5-10 years | R3,000-R15,000 | Home/office, versatile, 12V output |
If you’re cycling through load shedding 2-3 times per week, lithium-ion pays for itself within 2 years because lead-acid batteries degrade faster with frequent deep discharges.
Runtime: how long will it actually last?
| Load | 600VA/360W | 1000VA/600W | 1500VA/900W | 3000VA/1800W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100W (router + phone) | 30-40 min | 45-60 min | 60-90 min | 90-120 min |
| 300W (router + laptop + monitor) | 8-12 min | 15-20 min | 25-35 min | 45-60 min |
| 500W (full office setup) | 4-6 min | 8-12 min | 15-20 min | 30-40 min |
Tip: If you need more runtime, add an external battery pack rather than buying a bigger UPS. It’s cheaper and more flexible.
The 12V trick that saves money
Most routers and ONTs use 12V DC power supplies. Instead of running them through a UPS (which converts 12V DC to 220V AC, then your router’s power supply converts it back to 12V DC), you can use a 12V UPS module or portable power station. This skips two power conversions, giving you 30-50% more runtime from the same battery.
Products like the Cuddy 12V UPS, Gizzu units, or EcoFlow power stations are designed for exactly this. They’re smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than traditional UPS units for keeping your internet alive.
What to avoid
- Don’t plug laser printers into a UPS. They draw 500-1000W on startup and will trip the UPS instantly.
- Don’t buy a UPS rated too close to your load. Aim for 50-70% load for better runtime and battery life.
- Don’t forget to replace batteries. Lead-acid UPS batteries need replacing every 2-3 years.
- Don’t rely on surge protectors as UPS. A surge protector only protects against voltage spikes, not outages.
What we recommend
Home office: keep your internet alive
- 1x Gizzu or Cuddy 12V UPS for router + ONT (about R400-R600)
- Laptop runs on its own battery already
Total: about R400-R600
Home office: full workstation backup
- 1x 1500VA line-interactive UPS (about R2,000-R3,000)
- Router + monitor + laptop charger covered
Total: about R2,000-R3,000
Small business: server room
- 1x 3000VA online UPS for server + switch (about R8,000-R12,000)
- 1x 1500VA line-interactive UPS for workstations (about R2,500)
Total: about R10,500-R14,500
Shop UPS and power solutions at Remote Help – nationwide delivery, VAT included.
Need help sizing your UPS? WhatsApp us on 081 358 4869 with your equipment list and we’ll recommend the right unit.
