How Long Will a UPS Last for Your 2, 4, 6, or 8 Camera System?

Ensuring continuous surveillance during power outages means having the right UPS capacity. Here's how long popular UPS models from CCTV Guru will run with different camera setups — and how to estimate runtimes yourself.

UPS Models Overview

Dahua 600VA / 360W UPS (DH-PFM350-360)

Compact line-interactive UPS with voltage stabilisation and full protection.

Hikvision UPS 600VA / 360W

Basic protection with AVR and surge defense.

Hikvision 1000VA / 600W UPS

Higher capacity for more demanding setups.

Hikvision 2000VA / 1200W UPS

Robust runtime with AVR and LCD monitoring.

Runtime Estimation Formula

Runtime (hours) = (Battery capacity in watt-hours × Efficiency) ÷ Total load (watts)

Bitrate in Mbps
Efficiency is usually ~80% for most UPS units.

Example Calculation (Estimates)

Assuming modern IP cameras draw approximately 8 W each, and an NVR draws 20 W (plus an HDD ~6 W), here are rough runtime estimates:

• Total load estimates:
  • 2 Cameras + NVR = 2×8 + 20 = 36 W
  • 4 Cameras + NVR = 4×8 + 20 = 52 W
  • 6 Cameras + NVR = 6×8 + 20 = 68 W
  • 8 Cameras + NVR = 8×8 + 20 = 84 W
• Estimated battery capacity equivalents (approx.):
  • 600VA ≈ 360 W × 1 hour = ~360 Wh
  • 1 000VA ≈ 600 W × 1 hour = ~600 Wh
  • 2 000VA ≈ 1 200 W × 1 hour = ~1 200 Wh

Estimated Runtimes (assuming 80% efficiency)

How to Apply to Your Setup

1. Check the UPS spec for battery capacity (in Wh or VA × power factor).
2. Add up your equipment's power draw: cameras, NVR, HDDs, PoE switch, etc.
3. Plug values into the runtime formula above.
4. Allow a safety margin: UPS efficiency varies and batteries degrade.

Bottom Line

• A 600 VA (360 W) UPS typically gives ~3–8 hours, depending on camera count.
• A 1 000 VA (600 W) model roughly doubles that runtime.
• Larger installations (6–8 cameras) benefit most from a 2 000 VA or above UPS.
• Real-world runtime depends on device load, battery health, temperature, and UPS efficiency.

Note: These runtimes are estimates — actual results may vary depending on your equipment and conditions.

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