Surge Protector/UPS n00b Questions

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Slartibartfast

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Having just completed the rig in my sig, and thinking about the fact that it cost about 5 times more than the most expensive computer I've ever owned, it has occured to me that I should probably invest some cash into protecting it, no? So I did some reading in the FAQ, and have a few questions.

1) From what I gather, a surge protector is usually built into a UPS, is this correct? I also remember reading (I think) that you usually want to plug a UPS into a surge protector, not the wall, which would indicate that there isn't a surge protector in the UPS. Does it depend on the make/model, or is it just good practice to have it behind two protectors? Can anybody clarify for me?

2) What should I be looking for in a surge protector, exactly? I want something that will provide serious protection, i.e., lightning strikes don't let the magic smoke out.

3) I was experimenting with the UPS power requirement calculator and want to make sure I'm using it right: I left the default voltage of 117 volts, as I interpreted that to mean the current coming out of the wall. I then put in 850 watts to be safe (the amount my psu can deliver), and it comes up with a recommendation of 1750va. Does this sound correct?

4) Finally, assuming that the 1750va is correct, does anybody have any specific recommendations? I am only looking for something that will give me enough time to shut the PC down, I don't need it to run for an hour once the power goes out.

Thanks for any and all input! :)
 
Slartibartfast said:
Having just completed the rig in my sig, and thinking about the fact that it cost about 5 times more than the most expensive computer I've ever owned, it has occured to me that I should probably invest some cash into protecting it, no? So I did some reading in the FAQ, and have a few questions.

1) From what I gather, a surge protector is usually built into a UPS, is this correct? I also remember reading (I think) that you usually want to plug a UPS into a surge protector, not the wall, which would indicate that there isn't a surge protector in the UPS. Does it depend on the make/model, or is it just good practice to have it behind two protectors? Can anybody clarify for me?
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OK there is some debate about this issue. However, in theory it doesn't make a difference. In practice it has caused people problems (UPS constantly going into battery mode) and depending on the type of surge protector (MOV based) it is not a good idea becasue it shunts to ground. APC advises against the practice and I have seen epople post that the ywill deny service if you do so....take that with a grain of salt but their documentation directs you not to do it.

2) What should I be looking for in a surge protector, exactly? I want something that will provide serious protection, i.e., lightning strikes don't let the magic smoke out.
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Well if you are going to get a UPS the built in surge protection and AVR is sufficent. If you are not going to be take a look at the section in the sticky on surge protection.

3) I was experimenting with the UPS power requirement calculator and want to make sure I'm using it right: I left the default voltage of 117 volts, as I interpreted that to mean the current coming out of the wall. I then put in 850 watts to be safe (the amount my psu can deliver), and it comes up with a recommendation of 1750va. Does this sound correct?
Click to expand...

Sounds high off the bat....and it assumes that you are going to be using the system full tilt when the power goes out.

4) Finally, assuming that the 1750va is correct, does anybody have any specific recommendations? I am only looking for something that will give me enough time to shut the PC down, I don't need it to run for an hour once the power goes out.

Thanks for any and all input! :)
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There are a numebr of good brands...Liebert, Eaton Powerware, Tripplite, upper end APC's. You want is a topology that is at least a line interactive pure sine wave. The different topoligies are explainfed in the sticky.

What kind of budget?
 
Spectre said:
Sounds high off the bat....and it assumes that you are going to be using the system full tilt when the power goes out.
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Based on prices I saw at APC's website, I did seem high to me as well. However, I did build the system with the intention of having a lot of flexibility, so it's not to say I won't be using significantly more power in the future. I would rather put the money into one that can handle it now, than a smallish one now and a larger one later. The calculator gave a minimum of slightly over 1000va. Also, assuming that that number gives you 15 minutes to turn the power off, I think that if I'm using the system I'm only going to need about 5.


Spectre said:
There are a numebr of good brands...Liebert, Eaton Powerware, Tripplite, upper end APC's. You want is a topology that is at least a line interactive pure sine wave. The different topoligies are explainfed in the sticky.
Click to expand...

I'll read through it a little more closely, then.


Spectre said:
What kind of budget?
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Well, it's flexible. I'll spend what I have to in order to get the appropriate protection, but price does matter. For now I'm going to say an upper limit of $400 or so, would prefer to spend less if I can and still have good protection.
 
Slartibartfast said:
Well, it's flexible. I'll spend what I have to in order to get the appropriate protection, but price does matter. For now I'm going to say an upper limit of $400 or so, would prefer to spend less if I can and still have good protection.
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Ok on your budget with your wants/needs you may want to look at the APC refurbs available here: http://buy.apc.com/commerce/storefr...A14802299D15A9F0A4B227B2472C001CEEF7582F1ED8E

Specifically the Smart-UPS SUA1500, or the SU2200NET. These will be overkill but at the price they are being offered at the refurb shop they are amazing deals.....you also need to be aware that the SU2200NET is discontinued. APC uses standard battery packs so those should be fine to get replaced for a while yet.

On the new side I would look at the Tripplite OMNISMART1400, or you could look at the SMART1500LCD (I have not used the Tripp Lite LCD series but by the numbers they are decent), the Eaton/Powerware 5115 series in 1050VA or higher.
 
Thanks for the suggestions :) I will definitely do some more shopping around and reading. Having a good starting point always helps a lot.
 
Well I was thinking about this some more, and I'm wondering if maybe it would be smarter to invest in a really high-quality surge protector. I'm rarely doing something where if the power went out it would be a total catastrophe. Additionally, there are so few outlets in my apartment it's pathetic. If I were to replace a wall plug with a UPS, I would seriously have like 7 things that I could no longer plug in. So instead of a UPS, I was thinking I could get one of these:

http://brickwall.thomasnet.com/item...ght-outlet-surge-protectors/pw8r15?&forward=1

What do you think?
 
Ok here's another question: I'm noticing that on the back of a lot of these ups's, there are multiple plugs. Can I hook multiple things up to the ups? I would assume that in the event of a power loss, the more things it's running the shorter the battery life. However, I do have my aforementioned problem with a scarcity of outlets. So, could I plug some non-critical things in addition to my pc/monitor in there and still be ok? My desk also happens to be my gaming center, so I was thinking I could plug all my consoles into the ups to make up for the lack of outlets. The benefit there is that they're easily turned-off, and only one would be running at a time anyway.

What do you think?
 
Yeah sure you can plug anything you want into the UPS with a few exceptions mainly laser printers, and large appliances (don't laugh....someone asked once).

Now some models will have all battery outlets others will have mix of surge and battery plugs. So mix and match those as you need but keep the PC on the battery ones.

However, on all the units I am thinking of right now you can't switch off just one bank of outlets so you will still have to power them down....and if the power goes out unplug them. The leakage from the consoles will chew into the battery as well.....even when they are "off" they aren't completly off. This isn't a big concern from a wall socket but running on batteries....everything adds up.

I have a UPS planned out for each system and one for all my network gear( router, cable modem, switch, VOIP modem, and telephone) so that I can stay up during blackouts. The UPS on the router, etc......lasts a long time given the low draw nature fo the things plugged into it.
 
Ok cool, that should work out then. I'll probably pick up one of those apc refurbs in the next month or so - gotta let my account recover a little bit :) Thanks again!
 
i just purchased an apc rs800va black unit has 4 battery bu plugs and 3 surge plugs plus modem and ethernet connection and usb interface to have the computer shut itself down incase of power failure. $123.35 includes shipping from pc connect, new not refurbed and the battery can be changed. i plan on battery backup for the computer and monitor only- gives me plenty of time to shut down- i hope this is helpful.
 
Sorry to bump an old thread, but I was distracted for a while and am once again shopping for a UPS, albeit this time with a considerably smaller budget.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Tripplite SMART1200LCD , or maybe the 1500 (budget ~$200).

Does anybody have any direct experience with these? I'm curious as to how hot they usually run (would like to be able to put stuff on top of it, if at all possible).

I know that the 1500 will have enough of power to cover me assuming everything is running full speed ahead, so I imagine the 1200 will more than likely be sufficient in the event of an outtage (850w psu, ~40w LCD, probably switching to a 750w psu soon).

Anyways, just wondering if anybody out there is familiar with them :)
 
Since you posted the original thread I have had some of the SMART LCD's replace the VS's and they are pretty nice....probably better quality than the VS's.

What do you want to stack on top of them exactly?
 
Spectre said:
Since you posted the original thread I have had some of the SMART LCD's replace the VS's and they are pretty nice....probably better quality than the VS's.

What do you want to stack on top of them exactly?
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Ok cool. As far as stacking, well, probably just stuff like a CD rack, maybe a dreamcast :)

Basically I have zero room in my apartment so I'm hoping to find something that I can really squeeze in there.
 
Slartibartfast said:
Ok cool. As far as stacking, well, probably just stuff like a CD rack, maybe a dreamcast :)

Basically I have zero room in my apartment so I'm hoping to find something that I can really squeeze in there.
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A CD rack should be fine. The 1500 comes with rackmounts and I think the 1200 as well....if that helps with your space issue.
 
Spectre said:
A CD rack should be fine. The 1500 comes with rackmounts and I think the 1200 as well....if that helps with your space issue.
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Yeah I noticed they were rackmountable, so I figured they could tolerate being smushed in a normal shelf or something. Unfortunately I don't have an actual rack, my gf would kill me if I brought one home :D
 
Slartibartfast said:
Yeah I noticed they were rackmountable, so I figured they could tolerate being smushed in a normal shelf or something. Unfortunately I don't have an actual rack, my gf would kill me if I brought one home :D
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Oh come on get one of the 12u wallmount racks and put it up :D
 
Spectre said:
Oh come on get one of the 12u wallmount racks and put it up :D
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Someday man, someday.... :D

Oh I was also wondering, do I have to use the software features with it? Just wondering in case x64 hates it...
 
Slartibartfast said:
Someday man, someday.... :D

Oh I was also wondering, do I have to use the software features with it? Just wondering in case x64 hates it...
Click to expand...

Nah the software is optional.
 
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