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At a glance
- CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD: 1500VA/1000W; 12 outlets (6 battery-backed); sine wave; $274.95 MSRP; 3-year warranty.
- Runtime depends on load: check each maker’s runtime chart at your wattage.
- Plan for modem, router, switches and PoE devices together.
Three 1500VA UPS models compared
Swipe or scroll sideways to compare all options.
| Specification | APC Smart-UPS SMT1500C | Eaton 5SC1500 | CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published price | Varies by reseller; request a current quote | Varies by reseller; request a current quote | Manufacturer MSRP $274.95 before tax and shipping |
| Apparent-power rating | Marketed as 1500VA class; US specification lists 1440VA | 1500VA | 1500VA |
| Real-power rating | 1000W | 1080W | 1000W |
| Design | Line interactive | Line interactive | Line interactive |
| US input voltage | 120V | 120V | 120V |
| Output connectors | Eight NEMA 5-15R | Eight NEMA 5-15R | Twelve NEMA 5-15R; distinguish battery-backed from surge-only outlets |
| Management distinction | SmartConnect port and SmartSlot | USB/serial connectivity | USB connectivity and local LCD |
| Runtime comparison | Use APC's curve at the actual watt load | Use Eaton's curve at the same load | Use CyberPower's curve at the same load |
| Purchase detail that changes cost | Network-management options and subscription terms | Required shutdown integration | Required shutdown integration and outlet allocation |
| Main limitation / extra cost | 1440VA in the US specification; price management options and subscriptions | Higher watt rating does not prove longer runtime; use the actual-load runtime curve | Some outlets are surge-only; connect critical equipment to battery-backed outlets |
| Best fit (Sigma assessment) | SmartConnect/SmartSlot management options matter and 1000W covers the load | You need the listed 1080W rating and compatible USB/serial shutdown | A 1000W desktop/workstation load and the published MSRP fit the requirement |
| Official sources | Schneider Electric / APC: SMT1500C US ratings and features | Eaton: 5SC1500 US specifications | CyberPower: CP1500PFCLCD specifications and MSRP |
The Eaton rating above is for 5SC1500 with US NEMA connections. Similarly named regional versions can have different connectors or specifications.
Capacity and runtime are different questions
A 600W load is below all three listed watt ratings. That alone does not tell you whether the battery will support it for two minutes or twenty. Use the manufacturer's runtime information at 600W, and allow for battery aging and the actual environment.
For a network closet, include the modem or fiber terminal, router, switches, access points powered by those switches, and any local server. Keeping the router alive does not preserve connectivity if another essential powered component stops. Conversely, connecting unnecessary equipment uses battery capacity that could support the essential network.
Decide what should happen during an outage
For a workstation, the objective may be a clean shutdown. For network equipment, it may be continued operation until power returns or a generator starts. For a server, automatic shutdown needs compatible software, communication, and enough remaining runtime to finish safely.
APC's management expansion is a useful distinction when remote monitoring or more advanced integration is required. It does not mean every network feature is included without an added card or service. Eaton and CyberPower should be checked against the same shutdown and monitoring requirement.
Do not declare CyberPower the lowest-cost installed solution simply because its public MSRP was available. Obtain comparable APC and Eaton quotes, plus management accessories, replacement-battery costs, and support. Sigma can help size the load and compare the complete power-protection package.
How to estimate the load
Add the rated or measured power draw of every device that must stay on: modem or fiber terminal, router, switches (including the power they supply to access points and phones), and any server. Multiply by 1.25 to leave headroom, then check that total against each UPS’s watt rating and runtime chart. For example, a 160W network closet needs about 200W of capacity, well within a 1000W unit, and runtime becomes the deciding factor.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What is the measured wattage of the equipment on the UPS?
- How many minutes of runtime do we need?
- Must servers shut down automatically, and is management software or a network card needed?
- When will batteries need replacement, and at what cost?
What Hawaiʻi businesses should check
Power interruptions, including storm-related outages, are the reason to size a UPS for the network closet, not just a desk. Decide which equipment must stay on and for how long, and pair the UPS with backup internet if phone and payment systems must keep working.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a 1500VA UPS run a network closet?
It depends on the load. A modem, router and switch drawing 100–200W can run far longer than a 600W load; use the manufacturer’s runtime chart at your measured wattage.
Sources and pricing notes
Prices and specifications checked September 27, 2026 against the providers’ published sources below. Prices are US list or published rates before taxes, fees and equipment unless stated; offers change, so confirm the current terms before you buy.
- Schneider Electric / APC. SMT1500C US ratings and features
- Eaton. 5SC1500 US specifications
- CyberPower. CP1500PFCLCD specifications and MSRP
How Sigma is paid. Sigma is a Hawaiʻi technology advisor. Provider or reseller partners compensate Sigma; product and service prices may include a margin. No procurement fee applies. Standalone consulting is quoted separately.