Are you using a UPS?

PN · 05-01-2003, 06:57 PM

Surges, sags, and line noise -- oh my! Find out how to keep your electronics healthy.

By Robert Heron

Have you ever thought about the quality of the electricity flowing into your PC? Perhaps you should. Most electronic devices are designed to withstand small fluctuations in AC voltage. Over time, these power surges or sags can stress sensitive components, causing them to fail prematurely. In the case of PCs, irregular power can be the cause of all sorts of issues, including system lockups, application crashes, and physical damage to the PC.

Surge protectors and uninterruptible power supplies tame less-than-clean power currents.

Surge protectors

Isotel8Ultra
Surge protectors and suppressors are the gatekeepers of electrical current. They won't protect you from a complete outage or a sag in power, but they will stop spikes in electricity from reaching your electronic equipment.

Tripp Lite's premium Isotel8Ultra surge suppressor incorporates eight outlets as well as modem/fax protection. At $65 the Ultra differs from less expensive models by using several high-quality methods of noise and surge suppression. Each pair of outlets (four pairs total) is isolated to prevent your devices from interfering with each other. Equipped with all-metal housing, multiple warning lights, and a lifetime warranty, the Isotel8Ultra is a cheap but effective insurance policy against Mother Nature's bad days.

-scott- · 05-01-2003, 07:20 PM

nah, my powerbook has a 4-hr battery built in

Lewis · 05-02-2003, 07:24 PM

I use the APC Back-UPS LS 700:
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...CountryCode=ww

It's a necessity!

-Lewis

Steven Edwards · 05-03-2003, 05:42 AM

I have had a surge protector for years and I recently got a UPS with power backup. I have dual protection.

-Steven

alan · 05-03-2003, 05:29 PM

APC Back-UPS 650.

Brad_D · 05-04-2003, 06:48 AM

I can't even count the number of times my power goes out every year down here in Florida. My UPS's has saved my computers many times.

PN · 05-15-2003, 06:27 PM

I went to Best Buy to get some information and prices on UPSs. Belkin had UPS for $89.99 with 35 minutes backup time and it is 360 watts.

APC sells one for $99.99 with 60 minutes of backup time and it is 450 watts. I am strongly considering the APC but I am wondering what others think.

PN

-scott- · 05-15-2003, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PN:

I am strongly considering the APC but I am wondering what others think.

for only $10 more, go for the APC. They're basically at the top of the industry standard line for surge protectors / power protection. I've been using APC stuff for several years...

just my $0.02

Cris · 05-16-2003, 03:51 PM

I use a Belkin for my PC and my old APC for clean juice to my stereo.

PN · 05-22-2003, 06:07 PM

I have two PCs, so I am trying to keep the cost down because I need to purchase two UPSs. On Tuesday I noticed in the newspaper that CompUSA in Redondo Beach, CA, had a sale on an APC with 300 Watts for $39.99 with a $10 factory mail-in rebate. I don't have a lot of leg space, which is one reason why I went with a smaller unit. I will look for another UPS shortly, except this time I will try to find one that has 400 Watts, on sale. Any comments are welcome.

PN

05-01-2003, 06:57 PM	#1
PN Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: California Posts: 5,586	Are you using a UPS? Surges, sags, and line noise -- oh my! Find out how to keep your electronics healthy. By Robert Heron Have you ever thought about the quality of the electricity flowing into your PC? Perhaps you should. Most electronic devices are designed to withstand small fluctuations in AC voltage. Over time, these power surges or sags can stress sensitive components, causing them to fail prematurely. In the case of PCs, irregular power can be the cause of all sorts of issues, including system lockups, application crashes, and physical damage to the PC. Surge protectors and uninterruptible power supplies tame less-than-clean power currents. Surge protectors Isotel8Ultra Surge protectors and suppressors are the gatekeepers of electrical current. They won't protect you from a complete outage or a sag in power, but they will stop spikes in electricity from reaching your electronic equipment. Tripp Lite's premium Isotel8Ultra surge suppressor incorporates eight outlets as well as modem/fax protection. At $65 the Ultra differs from less expensive models by using several high-quality methods of noise and surge suppression. Each pair of outlets (four pairs total) is isolated to prevent your devices from interfering with each other. Equipped with all-metal housing, multiple warning lights, and a lifetime warranty, the Isotel8Ultra is a cheap but effective insurance policy against Mother Nature's bad days.

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05-01-2003, 07:20 PM	#2
-scott- Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 9,521	nah, my powerbook has a 4-hr battery built in

05-02-2003, 07:24 PM	#3
Lewis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 1,322	I use the APC Back-UPS LS 700: http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...CountryCode=ww It's a necessity! -Lewis

05-03-2003, 05:42 AM	#4
Steven Edwards Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Acme Labs Posts: 15,530	I have had a surge protector for years and I recently got a UPS with power backup. I have dual protection. -Steven

05-03-2003, 05:29 PM	#5
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,169	APC Back-UPS 650.

05-04-2003, 06:48 AM	#6
Brad_D Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 558	I can't even count the number of times my power goes out every year down here in Florida. My UPS's has saved my computers many times.

05-15-2003, 06:27 PM	#7
PN Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: California Posts: 5,586	I went to Best Buy to get some information and prices on UPSs. Belkin had UPS for $89.99 with 35 minutes backup time and it is 360 watts. APC sells one for $99.99 with 60 minutes of backup time and it is 450 watts. I am strongly considering the APC but I am wondering what others think. PN

05-16-2003, 03:51 PM	#9
Cris Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Melbourne, FL USA Posts: 1,297	I use a Belkin for my PC and my old APC for clean juice to my stereo.

05-22-2003, 06:07 PM	#10
PN Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: California Posts: 5,586	I have two PCs, so I am trying to keep the cost down because I need to purchase two UPSs. On Tuesday I noticed in the newspaper that CompUSA in Redondo Beach, CA, had a sale on an APC with 300 Watts for $39.99 with a $10 factory mail-in rebate. I don't have a lot of leg space, which is one reason why I went with a smaller unit. I will look for another UPS shortly, except this time I will try to find one that has 400 Watts, on sale. Any comments are welcome. PN