UPS, do you use one

[DMB2000uk]

As the question says, do you use things like UPSs?

For me in the UK, we have what I would consider stable power so having one hasn't really been an issue. I do use a surge protector on my socket extension/multiplier thing though.

I'm interested to know if any of you use anything more, and if you do, do you actually know if your electric line is 'dirty' or you are just playing it safe?

Dan

If you vote option 4 then say what you really use in a reply to this thread ^_^

[screwloose45]

I used to run on a $3 dollar 'power strip', until one day, my motherboard no longer worked after a lightning storm. Since the motherboard was no longer covered by it's warranty, I purchased a brand new one with a better chipset. This cost me $200 and before the week was over, it too, was fried. So I RMA'ed it, and got it back in about two weeks. This time, buying a $100 UPS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6842101002) before installing it.
Gotta love living in Florida...

[Major_A]

I had a UPS once. It went bad and it didn't allow the computer to turn on. Since then I said screw it and just use an el cheapo power strip. Then again I would use a better surge protector/UPS if I was in a house that had wiring older than 25 years old. The house I'm in now was built in 2001 so the wiring should be fine.

[Sparky]

I use a UPS with a surge protector build in as well. Better safe than sorry I say.

[stev]

... A surge protector with the highest clamping voltage rating I can find. Here's some other very important things to know as well:

Most types of surge protectors all fall under the category of TVSS. Purchase only devices that have been tested to UL 1449, 2nd Edition.

A good surge protector should have thermal fuse protection.

Clamping Voltage (Rating): Purchase TVSSs with a listed clamping voltage of 330-volts, the best rating given under UL 1449. It will not be difficult to find TVSSs that plug into outlets and have a clamping voltage of 330-volts.

The clamping voltage can be found on the surge protector's rating plate.

Surge Protection on All Electrical Wires: Make sure the surge protection is on all electrical wires. The device should indicate protection for Line to Neutral (L-N), Line to Ground (L-G), and Neutral to Ground (N-G). A clamping voltage of 330-volts should be listed for all three wires.

Fax/Modem and Coax Protection: When purchasing a point-of-use type surge protector for a computer, VCR, or TV, look for a device with telephone and coax cable jacks for protection of those lines if the item being protected has those types of hookups. Remember, power surges can enter through the electrical, telephone (DSL too), or coax lines (Cable too).

Loss of Power After Catastrophic Failure Feature: Look for point-of-use surge protection devices that no longer conducts electricity once the capacity to protect against power surges has been lost. Just be sure to have a spare handy when the power does become stable again.

Surge protection devices are designed to sacrifice themselves for the equipment they are used to protect. Once they have had too many surges, they no longer protect. However, if they still conduct electricity, a homeowner may never be aware the device has lost its ability to protect. With this feature, once the protection has been destroyed by a power surge, the surge protector outlets will no longer be powered.

Ground Wire Indicator Light: A convenient feature to have is a plug-in type surge protector that has a light that will indicate whether or not the outlet it is being plugged into is properly grounded. Grounding is required for the surge protection device to work most effectively!!! A three prong device is best!

Good Warranty: Find an established manufacturer with a good reputation. Their warranty should cover any damage to the equipment that is connected through their surge protection device. Some warranty's will cover up to a few thousand dollars for hardware equipment failure if the protection doesn't work. Just be sure to save all of those receipt's!

Joule Rating: The joule rating indicates how much energy a surge protection device can handle. Because testing to determine joule ratings has not yet been standardized, the joule rating cannot currently be used for comparing products.

It's also a good idea to keep the surge protection device plugged into a GFCI line for additional protection. In older homes, this can be accomplished using a GFCI breaker in the panel box. Remember, only one GFCI per line and best if the GFCI is the first control in or out of the panel box.

[DaIceMan]

I have a Minuteman E1500 enterprise UPS on my server cabinet (DSL Modem, router, switch, server, monitor) and a surge suppressor at each PC. I recently priced UPS's for each PC and found that my price at work is pretty nice, however I have to start with one and check the noise level of it before committing to a room full of them (6 PCs in the computer room).

[KnightRid]

UPS on my main system and another for the 2nd system in my coimputer room ( but the battery is pretty much shot on this one ).

I wont build a computer without including a UPS! New houses are not that good on electricity either ;)

Where I live we have huge power fluctuations (nothing to do with house wiring) and without the UPS computers have been known to die in 8 months! My neighbor had that problem, and when I built him a system with a UPS, he saw how often it kicked in and saved his computer!

Mike

Surge protectors that you can get for under $50 are almost worthless in my opinion. If you want to spend $100 for a surge protector that is good, why not just buy the UPS for $130-$150?

[Sporg]

Currently only use surge protectors, but really need to invest in a few good UPSsss (with line conditioners). I do have knots tied at the ends of most of my cables, I do that with most everything that I plug in though.

No excuses for not having UPSessess, just laziness. I really do need to get a good one for my TV and components too. Like backing things up, this is something I always recommend to people but don't do myself.

[DaIceMan]

^^ that's a good point about the TV and such. If your TV uses a lamp, the lamp has a fan that cools it. If the power goes out and can't properly cool the bulb, the life of that bulb and your TV are decreased. A UPS with 15 minutes back up power is good enough to greatly extend your TVs life if your area is prone to power failures.

[bubba]

I use a surge protector at home, and UPS at work. The power drops in the building are insanely frequent.

[stev]

I wont build a computer without including a UPS! New houses are not that good on electricity either ;)

Actually our new built home of 2003 is better for power than our old home that was built in 1972. The older home didn't have GFCI nor the utility service underground. The old home had the wires on the poles around the neighborhood and the power fluctuated greatly when the fall season came due to many squirrels and high winds.

Another good reason to have the electrical utilities under ground is that the lines don’t buzz in the early morning or when the fog sets in nor the hot humid days of full sunlight.

I do have knots tied at the ends of most of my cables, I do that with most everything that I plug in though.

That helps some, but A cable/cord EMI isolator choke with the knotted cord will help too. This will reduce the noise in the line coming in.

Being a Ham Radio operator, a device like this would be clever to put into a computer PSU.
Schaffner Power Line Filter.


or the Schurter Series 5120.

http://www.schurterinc.com/pdf/english/typ_5120.pdf

“…Typical applications for the series 5120 include: medical monitoring systems and instruments, dental equipment, electronic test equipment and measurement products, industrial digital multimeters, networking routers, and home appliances such as fitness equipment and LCD TVs. …”

“…Series 5120 Provides Optimal Performance at Low Cost
Schurter, Inc. announced the new environmentally friendly series 5120 Filtered Power Entry Module, added to a list of proven predecessors. Refined for optimal performance at the lowest price, the new compact filter is particularly suited for single-phase power supplies used in Industrial equipment, Information Technology Equipment and Medical Devices, which are governed by stringent EMC emission and immunity standards.
The series is dimensioned as a 1-stage filter for rated currents 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 15A. The unit has an outstanding wide-band attenuation in the frequency range from 100 kHz to 30 MHz with a leakage current of <0.5 mA for standard and <5 µA for medical filters. Mounting options include a front or rear side mounting version for traditional screw and nut mounting, or rivet mounting. A version specifically for rear side mounting features pre-formed, threaded holes for M3 screws. This version eliminates the handling of nuts, reducing costs and automating assembly. The metal flange provides a large contact area for optimal shielding at the panel opening.
The 5120 fulfills the requirements according to IEC/EN 60950 and UL 1950 for use in IT equipment and IEC/EN 60601 and UL 544 for use in medical equipment. It is pending certification according to ENEC for rated currents up to 10A and UL/CSA up to 15A at 250 VAC. The filters are also available in a protection class II version according to IEC 61140, and can be equipped with special class X1 capacitors for enhanced surge withstand voltage protection.”

[kenc51]

Stev,
Most good PSU's nowadays have those built in! I have a Seasonic PSU open here on my floor and it has one!

I've never used a USP. I currently have two PC's running off one extension cable which has limited power surge protection.
A UPS is on my shopping list, but I don't see myself getting one anytime soon.

[Darkstar]

APC UPS, at work and at home...

[stev]

Stev,
Most good PSU's nowadays have those built in! I have a Seasonic PSU open here on my floor and it has one!

I've never used a USP. I currently have two PC's running off one extension cable which has limited power surge protection.
A UPS is on my shopping list, but I don't see myself getting one anytime soon.

That's the key wording there, "Most good PSU's" have them while others, good or bad do not.

It's not that hard to contact the PSU manufacture or rep to figure out IF the PSU has this protection.

More than likely, OEM name brand computer manufacted PSU's don't have this protection. So, it's a good idea to add this component.

[martini161]

i use a cheap surge protector strip thats older than i am, BUT, i run my best machine on its own breaker, which is just about as good as it gets for surge protection

[T-Shirt]

computers, and LCD monitors on seperate UPS's, cordless phone and network equipment (routers, cable modem, Voip MTA) on a dedicated UPS, printers and all other office equip on high end surge strips.