UPS, batteries, and energy-efficient laptops: Simple tips for working without electricity.

A massive rocket strike by the Russian Federation has once again left several regions of Ukraine without electricity and triggered emergency outages. However, this is no longer a reason to halt work.

The main question is how to set up a workspace in the most cost-effective way without draining the family budget. "Telegraph" asked Kyiv electrician Alexander about the most efficient options, in his opinion.

Assessing Equipment and Needs

First, consider what exactly you need to "power": just a laptop, or also a router, lights? This will give you a guideline on the power requirements of the devices. For instance, a laptop consumes 150 W, while a router uses an additional 20 W.

For long-term autonomy, it’s better to choose a portable charging station or UPS (uninterruptible power supply) with suitable outputs to ensure stable power. A power bank is also a temporary solution, but it only lasts for 2-4 hours.

Cost-effective Option: UPS

For short outages, this is the ideal choice. It will provide stable voltage, and everything connected to it will continue to operate seamlessly when the power goes out, says Alexander.

"A standard UPS gives you an additional 10-30 minutes. For longer outages, you need a powerful UPS. And these start at 10,000 UAH and go up from there," says the electrician.

The electrician advises choosing a UPS with extra capacity to ensure that the equipment runs for at least 4 hours.

Convenient but Expensive: Charging Stations

The main drawback of this option is the price, notes Alexander. However, they charge quickly. Many models come with multiple outputs (AC, USB, 12V), allowing you to charge several devices simultaneously.

"If you want a 'serious' station, prices start from 15,000 UAH and can jump up to 100,000 UAH, depending on the power. If you choose a good model with a capacity of around 500 Wh, it will last for 4-6 hours of laptop use, which is quite adequate," says Alexander.

For longer outages, a higher capacity is required, which increases the price.

Power Bank for Laptops

Connecting a laptop to a power bank can be a good temporary solution during outages, but there are nuances.

"Most power banks take a long time to charge, which limits their usability during frequent blackouts. A laptop, even when connected to a high-capacity power bank, will still run for a relatively short time because laptops consume a lot of energy," says the electrician.

Additionally, it’s better to buy a laptop with low energy consumption (20–45 W). When working under such conditions, you should switch to "Power Saving" mode (reduce consumption).

Inverter and Affordable Battery

Inverters with batteries are quite popular. However, they have a limited runtime, so don’t expect your inverter to power all devices for an entire night.

So for a simple home inverter with a battery, this is a convenient and economical solution. But it's important to choose the right power. If you need several hours of operation, opt for a battery with a capacity of around 1000 Wh; don’t go for an inverter rated at 2000 W," says Alexander.

Previously, the Telegraph reported on when the situation with electricity might improve after the Russian attack on the energy sector. It looks like you will have to wait for 2-3 days.