How to Choose a UPS in Nepal: VA vs Watts, Online vs Offline and Backup Time
Updated 29 October 2026. UPS prices are Quality Computer’s website prices that day. Sizing and battery facts are from APC by Schneider Electric and Vertiv, with Nepal power reports from Nepali news.
Short answer: Add up the watts of everything you will plug in, such as the computer, monitor and router, then pick a UPS whose watt rating, not just its VA, is comfortably above that. A standard offline UPS is fine for a home computer; an online UPS suits sensitive or always-on equipment. Every UPS with today's price is on our UPS price in Nepal page.
UPS models we stock
Our website prices on 29 October 2026:
| UPS | Type and use | Our price |
|---|---|---|
| Uniline Smartline 600VA (SL-600) | Computer UPS | Rs 4,400 |
| Uniline UPS 625VA (SL625) | Computer UPS | Rs 4,400 |
| Numeric Digital UPS 600VA (600 EX) | Computer UPS | Rs 4,600 |
| Prolink UPS 700VA (PRO700SFC) | Computer UPS | Rs 4,800 |
| Hikvision 1000VA (DS-UPS1000EU) | Computer UPS | Rs 8,000 |
| Uniline Smartline 1200VA (L1200) | Computer UPS, bigger load | Rs 9,200 |
| Delta 1kVA/24V Online UPS (INX) | Online UPS, internal battery | Rs 40,500 |
| Delta 2kVA/48V Online UPS | Online UPS, 9Ah internal battery | Rs 53,500 |
| Delta 3kVA/72V Online UPS (INX) | Online UPS, internal battery | Rs 68,000 |
| Livguard 7.2Ah/12V UPS battery | Replacement battery | Rs 1,800 |
| Hitech Mini DC Router UPS (8,800mAh) | Keeps a Wi-Fi router and ONU running | Rs 2,199 |
Need backup for lights, fans and the whole house? That’s a home UPS or inverter: see our inverter prices and UPS vs inverter explainer.
VA vs watts: how to size a UPS
VA (volt-amps) is the UPS’s “apparent power”; watts are the real power your equipment draws. APC says the watt rating is usually about 60% of the VA rating, and the safest approach is to keep the total of your devices’ power ratings below 60% of the UPS’s VA. In practice:
| UPS size | Keep your total load under |
|---|---|
| 600VA | About 360W |
| 700VA | About 420W |
| 1000VA | About 600W |
| 1200VA | About 720W |
APC’s own Back-UPS 1100VA is rated 1100VA / 660W, which matches that 60% rule.
How long will it run?
Not long under heavy load. APC’s 1100VA table shows about 120 minutes at under 30W, 50 minutes at 60W, 27 minutes at 120W and just 11 minutes at 240W. A computer UPS is for saving your work and shutting down safely, not for running through a long power cut.
Video: What UPS to buy (Techquickie)
A quick explainer on UPS types and sizing.
Offline, line-interactive or online UPS?
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Offline (standby) | Passes mains power straight through and switches to battery when power fails, with a 6 to 8 millisecond break | Home PCs, under 1,500VA |
| Line-interactive | Its inverter is always in the circuit and regulates voltage (AVR), with a 4 to 6 millisecond break | Areas with frequent voltage swings but few outages |
| Online (double conversion) | Converts AC to DC and back all the time, so there is zero transfer time | Servers, networks and sensitive equipment |
Why voltage regulation matters here: in June 2026 residents of Bardiya described persistent low voltage and frequent cuts, and in July 2026 the Energy Minister told the Nepal Electricity Authority to fix frequent outages and voltage interruptions in Biratnagar and eastern Nepal. The Energy Ministry’s hotline logged 1,902 complaints in a month in early 2025, mostly about supply disruptions and low voltage. A line-interactive UPS with AVR, or an online UPS, handles that better than a basic offline model. For whole-system protection, read how to protect your computer from power surges.
UPS batteries
APC says most of its UPS batteries last three to five years, and every 8°C rise in temperature cuts battery life in half; 20 to 25°C is ideal. Schneider Electric puts sealed VRLA batteries at 3 to 6 years and lithium-ion at upwards of 10 years. We sell the Livguard 7.2Ah/12V replacement battery at Rs 1,800; for inverter batteries, see our Exide battery guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see today's UPS prices?
Every UPS we stock is listed with today's price on our UPS price in Nepal page.
Which UPS is best for a desktop computer?
Add up the watts of your PC, monitor and anything else you plug in, and keep the total under 60% of the VA rating. A 600VA UPS suits up to about 360W. A line-interactive model with AVR helps where voltage swings.
How many watts can a 600VA UPS handle?
About 360W, using APC’s 60% guideline.
How long does a UPS battery last?
APC says most UPS batteries last three to five years; heat shortens that.
What is an online UPS?
A UPS that converts power from AC to DC and back all the time, so there is no break when the mains fails. It suits servers and sensitive equipment.
How do I keep my Wi-Fi running in a power cut?
Use a mini DC router UPS; ours start at Rs 2,199.
Sources
- Watts vs VA, APC by Schneider Electric
- Watts vs VA: what’s the difference?, Schneider Electric, 20 February 2015
- APC Back-UPS BX1100C-IN, Schneider Electric India
- UPS topologies, APC by Schneider Electric
- What are the different types of UPS systems?, Vertiv
- UPS battery life, Schneider Electric, 17 February 2026
- VRLA vs lithium-ion service life, Schneider Electric, 6 October 2025
- Kulman Ghising, the man who gave us light, The Kathmandu Post, 15 February 2019
- 4 achievements and 4 failures of Kul Man Ghising’s term, OnlineKhabar English, 26 August 2020
- Low voltage and power cuts in Bardiya, The Kathmandu Post, 26 June 2026
- Energy Minister directs NEA on outages in Biratnagar and eastern Nepal, Spotlight Nepal, 25 July 2026
- Energy Ministry hotline receives over 1,900 complaints, B360 Nepal, 2 April 2025
- UPS and battery prices: Quality Computer website, 29 October 2026.