PFC pure sine needed on UPS battery backup?

joewifi
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PFC pure sine needed on UPS battery backup?

Fri Feb 13, 2026 1:39 pm

Using
WS-12-250-AC
WS-8-150-AC
WS-24-400A
WS-6-mini

is it recommended or required to use a pfc/pure sine wave UPS battery backup?

search the message board some posts say NO not needed. But some posts say YES it is needed and problems arise if not using pfc/pure sine. Problems with modulated sine.

So, curious if we can get clarification. Would pfc/pure sine help prevent life of switch shortening issues?

we did have the ws8 on a modulated sine ups and we've had to replace it twice in 9 years. The others switches on pfc or no ups have been rock solid.

joewifi
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Re: PFC pure sine needed on UPS battery backup?

Tue Feb 17, 2026 1:30 pm

bump

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sakita
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Re: PFC pure sine needed on UPS battery backup?

Wed Feb 18, 2026 10:19 am

Have run WS-8-150-AC and WS-12-250-AC with a Emerson Sola SDU DIN-Rail industrial UPS (modified sine wave)... multiple units, multiple years, and no issues.
Dave the Engineer did chime in about the power supply not liking modified sine wave. In general the UPS should only be on occasionally for short periods and it hasn't been an issue for anything I've dealt with.

That said, for longer backup the current design I use is a Netonix DC switch with a Meanwell charge controller and a couple of 100Ah batteries (industrial application 24VDC). Solar sites are also 24V but use bigger batteries and a Morningstar charge controller (much love for Netonix DC switches).
Today is an average day: Worse than yesterday, but better than tomorrow.

joewifi
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Re: PFC pure sine needed on UPS battery backup?

Wed Feb 18, 2026 4:06 pm

I've also was told this recently, which makes sense:


"Pure sine wave is always better than modified sine wave, but it's not required.
Chances are the unit you have to replace is getting ground current damage. Ground current or ground loops is the most common cause of damage to the unit and most people do not understand how ground current or loops occurs and how distructive it can be."

Big thanks to the response the in forum and also elsewhere.

much appreciated!

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