How to choose a UPS for gas and solid fuel boiler

For your gas or solid fuel boiler, selecting the appropriate Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is essential to maintaining heating during blackouts. When the primary power supply fails, a UPS steps in as a backup power supply. The choice of UPS becomes crucial for homeowners when they depend on boilers for home heating, particularly in colder regions.

Boilers powered by gas or solid fuel are essential for maintaining a warm and cozy atmosphere in our homes, especially in the winter. But these systems are vulnerable to power outages, which could prevent them from working properly and leave you without heat when you need it most. In the event of a blackout, a UPS can help by facilitating a smooth transition to backup power.

A number of factors need to be taken into account when choosing a UPS for your boiler in order to ensure efficacy and compatibility. First and foremost, it’s critical to determine the power needs of your particular boiler model. The power consumption of gas and solid fuel boilers varies, so it’s important to select a UPS that can manage the load without any problems.

Another important thing to think about is how long the UPS will supply backup power. You might require a UPS that can power your boiler for several hours or even days, depending on where you live and how frequently there are power outages. Determining the right UPS capacity will be made easier if you know how long your average outage lasts.

Furthermore, the UPS’s quality and dependability are crucial. You can feel more at ease knowing that your boiler will continue to function when necessary if you choose a reputable brand that has a solid reputation for creating dependable backup power solutions. Examine features like battery life, warranty, and user feedback when comparing various UPS models.

3 criteria for choosing a power supply

First, let’s address the problem statement. The boiler’s "uninterruptible" should immediately assume the role of an external power source when the light goes out and continue to power the heating apparatus until the power supply is restored.

In its most basic form, the UPS operates on the following principle: when in normal mode, it charges the battery by converting alternating current to direct current. The process reverses itself when the mains voltage goes out, converting the battery’s constant current into an alternating current that is fed to the boiler.

Online retailers offer a wide range of backup power supply device varieties at varying price points. Consider the following three factors when selecting the appropriate UPS to avoid needless overpayments:

• power consumption of the boiler and other equipment – additional pumps, fans, electric actuators on mixing valves, thermoregulators;
• battery life;
• the quality of electricity in the area where you live.

Note: Inadequate power means regular blackouts, extreme network voltage swings, or using a gasoline generator.

Let’s take a closer look at these variables now.

How to determine the capacity of the UPS

There are one to ten circulation pumps in every modern heating system, so the UPS needs to be able to handle strong inrush currents. This indicator increases at least twice when the unit is turned on (three times if the water supply system’s pumps are more powerful). The following is how we evaluate the power supply capacity:

1. Find out the power consumption of each piece of equipment – boiler, separate circulation pumps, fans or smoke pumps of TT-boiler, electric drives, pellet/diesel burners.
2. Summarize the data obtained and multiply the result by 2.
3. Select a UPS whose power is equal to or greater than the received figure.

Since electronics don’t produce inrush currents, doubling the power of the pump and fan motors would be the only thing required if we were meticulous. However, the amount of energy consumed by electronic systems is so small that it is not worth counting separately.

Aid. The unit passport or the plate fixed to the housing both list the gas wall-mounted boiler’s power consumption. As seen in the picture below, the parameter is typically indicated on the end of the pump, next to the screw.

For instance. The additional pumping unit uses 82 W, while the gas boiler unit uses 130 W. An uninterruptible power supply will have a minimum power of (130 + 82) x 2 = 424 watts.

Duration of operation

Through personal experience, the homeowner determines how long the gas boiler will last from the UPS. The length of power outages where you live is only known by you. Select one of two categories of "uninterruptible heaters" based on the data:

1. When the light goes out for 10-15 minutes, a unit with a built-in battery is sufficient. If the outage drags on for 30-60 minutes, you will be able to correctly shut down any heat generator – gas or solid fueled. There will still be a reserve for the cooling of the building, the feeling of cold will appear after 1-1.5 hours.
2. For longer power outages, a UPS with an external battery will be needed. Please note: the battery is not normally sold with the unit, it will have to be purchased separately.

A battery-operated "uninterruptible power supply" will be overpriced if there is a 24-hour blackout. Purchasing a gasoline generator and voltage stabilizer is more cost-effective. Installing gravity heating with a non-volatile gas/wood boiler is a more drastic approach.

As one might expect, the unit’s power has no bearing on how long the heating function lasts; instead, it is determined solely by the battery’s capacity. For instance, our heat generator with pump (212 watts) can run for two hours on a UPS with an external battery that holds 60 amp hours. Using a 75 Ah battery, we can operate for roughly three hours.

Determining the precise length of boiler operation from the "uninterruptible" using a battery is challenging. This is caused by variable power consumption:

• the gas heating unit periodically stops and ignites the main burner;
• TT-boiler automation controls the fan, blows out the furnace, sometimes switches off the pump;
• pellet burner has 2 motors (auger and blower) plus an automatic ignition element, the above equipment is controlled by a controller.

We recommend using the table to choose the battery capacity, which displays the approximate autonomous operation time based on power consumption and charge level. Allow 10–20% when choosing to account for the electric motors’ starting currents.

Quality of power supply

Measure the voltage drops in the home power grid before selecting a UPS for a gas boiler or other kind of heat generator. The issue is that not all "uninterruptible power supplies" have the ability to operate properly at voltages lower than 180 volts. Depending on the device model, there are two possible outcomes in these situations:

1. The device signals the absence of current and begins to take energy from the battery, although in reality the light was not turned off. The battery sits down quickly, the resource is reduced.
2. The UPS simply shuts down, showing an error and giving an audible signal. The heat generator together with other equipment is then stopped.

In conclusion. Select a UPS with an integrated inverter stabilizer if there are significant drops in line voltage, as these units can equalize voltage drops between 140 and 300 volts. You will need to purchase an additional stabilizer if you already own a traditional "uninterruptible power supply."

Generators powered by gasoline or diesel are also subject to the rule. With the exception of costly modifications, these units do not support a current frequency of 50 Hz well; at the output, they generate an incorrect sinusoid. Via a UPS equipped with an inverter stabilizer and a separate automatic start device (ATS unit), the electric generator is linked to the boiler. In the event that the owners are away from home when the lights go out, the power plant ought to be able to start itself.

Choosing the right UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for your gas or solid fuel boiler is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted heating during power outages. The main factors to consider include the power requirements of your boiler, the duration of backup power needed, and the reliability of the UPS system. Gas and solid fuel boilers vary in their power consumption, so it"s essential to select a UPS that can handle the specific wattage of your boiler. Additionally, assess how long you need the UPS to provide backup power – this will determine the capacity of the battery required. Finally, opt for a UPS from a reputable manufacturer known for reliability, as a dependable system is essential for maintaining heat in your home when the electricity goes out. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a UPS that ensures your gas or solid fuel boiler continues to function seamlessly, keeping your home warm even during power disruptions.

How to choose a UPS for a gas boiler

You can choose the "uninterruptible power supply" itself once we have determined the power consumption, battery charge level, and methods of voltage equalization. Power supplies are available online in three different architectural styles:

• off-line units;
• line-interactive UPS;
• on line continuous units.

The offline "uninterruptible power supply" operates on the straightforward tenet that the voltage that enters the device equals the voltage that is output. The device uses battery power if there are frequent network outages. Different steps are involved in the operation of online equipment: the input current is first rectified and "driven" into a strict framework (220–230 V, 50 Hz), after which it is again converted to AC and sent to the consumer. An off-line device with an integrated stabilizer is called a line-interactive UPS.

Citation. "Uninterruptor" costs are influenced by their architecture, power, and input voltage range. Example: An online Chinese UPS of the "Luxeon" 0.3 kW type costs roughly 60 u. е., while an analogous interactive UPS costs 100 y. е. Should you require 700 watts of power, the price goes up to 210 and 160 u. е., respectively.

For a gas boiler, which "uninterruptible power supply" is preferable?

1. To maintain the operation of a heat generator, a continuous UPS (online) with the possibility of connecting external batteries is best suited. Off line devices are not suitable.
2. If the power consumption does not exceed 0.5 kW and the duration of shutdown is 1 hour, a line-interactive unit with a built-in battery is suitable.
3. The backup source should provide a pure sine wave at the output, this is important for the normal operation of pump motors. UPS for household appliances or computers will not be suitable for boilers, as they produce a so-called approximated sine wave or quasi-sine wave.
4. To avoid buying a separate stabilizer, choose a device capable of smoothing out voltage fluctuations in the power grid. There are models that equalize the voltage in a wide range – from 120 to 300 volts, however, such UPS cost more expensive than conventional ones.
5. When using a generator it is necessary to stabilize not only the voltage, but also the frequency of the current. Here you need an "uninterruptible power supply" type online with an inverter, others are pointless to use.
6. Imported wall mounted boilers are often sensitive to phase location. If you insert the plug into the socket incorrectly, the unit goes into error. For this heater, look for a power supply with a through zero.

An explanation about computer UPSs. Electronics can detect a roughly sinusoidal output from these devices, but asynchronous pump motors overheat, hum, and break down rapidly. For this reason, an "uninterruptible power supply" with a proper sine wave is required.

Checking the new backup power supply unit right away is preferable. As directed by the instructions, connect the unit to the gas boiler and attempt to operate it in the heating mode. It is necessary to switch to a different model of unit if the automatic ignition malfunctions.

Similar considerations apply when selecting a household UPS for a solid fuel boiler: power output from the electrical installation and controller, supply quality, and length of the autonomous mode are all taken into account. Next, heed our counsel or the suggestions made in the video:

An "uninterruptible power supply" and a car battery

Using passenger car lead-acid batteries in conjunction with a UPS is highly discouraged. Yet, a lot of homeowners continue to do so; the primary justification is the cheaper cost of the power supply. Why a car battery cannot be used to power an uninterruptible device:

1. Batteries for cars are starter batteries, their task is to give out a large starting current, then recharge to maximum. UPS requires traction batteries made with GEL or AGM technology.
2. Car battery is afraid of deep discharge, 2-3 such cycles will happen and its capacity will be significantly reduced.
3. During the charging process, the acid battery releases harmful gases and hydrogen into the room. In certain conditions, it can explode – this is a well-known fact.
4. From the lead-acid battery will quickly boil out the electrolyte, you will have to constantly monitor the level and refill distilled water, check the density and so on.
5. The service life of specialized gel batteries is 6-10 years, the car battery will not "live" and half of the specified term.

Thus, the recommendation is to only use a car battery as a backup power source in an emergency when using a UPS for a gas boiler. Purchasing specialized traction batteries is the better option, so don’t worry.

For your gas or solid fuel boiler to continue heating during blackouts, selecting the appropriate UPS is essential. A well-informed decision is crucial, as there are numerous factors to take into account, such as safety features, battery life, and power capacity.

To choose the right UPS capacity, first evaluate the power needs of your boiler. Generally speaking, gas boilers require less power than solid fuel boilers, so make sure the UPS can manage the load without overloading.

Next, think about the UPS’s battery life. Select a model that has enough backup time to handle extended power outages. This helps you avoid discomfort in the winter by guaranteeing that your heating system keeps running until the power is restored.

Additionally, give top priority to safety features like automated voltage regulation and surge protection. By protecting your boiler from power outages and electrical damage, these features increase boiler longevity and lower maintenance costs.

For simple monitoring and maintenance, pick a UPS with user-friendly features as well. Your heating system will continue to run smoothly thanks to clear indicators and remote monitoring capabilities that let you monitor the UPS status and take quick action to fix any problems.

In conclusion, power capacity, battery life, safety features, and user-friendliness must all be carefully considered when choosing the best UPS for your gas or solid fuel boiler. You may guarantee that your house will remain comfortable and heated even in the event of a power outage by making an informed choice.

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