• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

BUY A UPS!!!!

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Yeah Duke Power killed quite a few power supplies until I got a UPS. I still get power flickers on like every other thunderstorm though that is sufficient to make me reset all my clocks.
 
Originally posted by: FlashG
I had this exact one installed last month. I hope it does what its suppose to.
Click to expand...
That's a 'light-medium duty' surge suppressor using MOVs to divert the surge, capable of dissipating normal spikes due to operation of heavy motors (e.g. AC) and distant lighting strikes. Like all MOV suppressors, it will wear out with use and may operate in a sacrifical mode during a maximal surge.

The most important thing about products such as this is the warranty.

It won't cover severe faults, such as nearby lightning strike. Protection against nearby lighting is more difficult, as lighting surges last a lot longer. MOV supressors will absorb surges lasting up to 25 microseconds, whereas surges due to lighting often last up to 500 microseconds. Lightning suppressors require different technology due to the energies involved - normally, they use electronically pre-triggered spark gaps. Unlike MOVs, these are active devices and are considerably more expensive.

The cost of lighting protection is often prohibitive for homes.
 
question:

i'm moving into a place with un-grounded sockets. (currently lobbying to get them grounded via landlord or pops--i'm no electrician)

is it completely stupid to simply plug a UPS/COnditioner/Surge protector--whatever--into an adapter for a simple 2-prong outlet? What perils would I face by going this route?

oh, I should mention that my plasma, + receiver + ps3, etc...and computer stuff will be plugged into these sockets.
 
Originally posted by: FlashG
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Another option rather than plugging everything into surge protectors all over the house is just to get a whole house surge suppressor installed. They cost about $120 + installation and cover everything in the home.
http://www.homedepot.com/webap...eed-_-D27X-_-100396483
Click to expand...
I had this exact one installed last month. I hope it does what its suppose to.
Click to expand...

did you have someone install it for you, or did you do it yourself? I'm not real comfortable doing electric work. what is involved in putting this in?
 
Originally posted by: zinfamous
question:

i'm moving into a place with un-grounded sockets. (currently lobbying to get them grounded via landlord or pops--i'm no electrician)

is it completely stupid to simply plug a UPS/COnditioner/Surge protector--whatever--into an adapter for a simple 2-prong outlet? What perils would I face by going this route?

oh, I should mention that my plasma, + receiver + ps3, etc...and computer stuff will be plugged into these sockets.
Click to expand...

Not a good idea. The surge protector will use the ground to divert the surge. Without it, you're boned.
 
Originally posted by: murphy55d
Originally posted by: FlashG
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Another option rather than plugging everything into surge protectors all over the house is just to get a whole house surge suppressor installed. They cost about $120 + installation and cover everything in the home.
http://www.homedepot.com/webap...eed-_-D27X-_-100396483
Click to expand...
I had this exact one installed last month. I hope it does what its suppose to.
Click to expand...

did you have someone install it for you, or did you do it yourself? I'm not real comfortable doing electric work. what is involved in putting this in?
Click to expand...

It's not really any more complicated than installing a new circuit. Pop in 30A DP breaker. Connect ground wire to ground bus. Connect hot leads to breaker terminals.

Just make sure you get it inspected, otherwise you could be violating local codes and/or the warranty of the product.
 
Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
How often do destructive power spikes happen? I haven't experienced one in the US before. Are they common occurances?
Click to expand...

in the past 15-16 years that I've had a computer, I've experienced one ever.

at least I assume it was a destructive power spike -- I came home from work one night after it had been storming all day to find my router mysteriously DOA and the nics on both desktops that were connected to the router DOA as well.
 
I don't think I've ever had destructive power spikes here but I did lose a power supply once when we had a power dip and the battery in the UPS was dying.
Replaced that with a APC BackUPS Pro 1100 that has buck and boost, haven't had a problem since.
Though now that I think about it the UPS just turned 3 years old. Anyone know how often the batteries need to be replaced on these beasts?
 
Originally posted by: Freejack2
I don't think I've ever had destructive power spikes here but I did lose a power supply once when we had a power dip and the battery in the UPS was dying.
Replaced that with a APC BackUPS Pro 1100 that has buck and boost, haven't had a problem since.
Though now that I think about it the UPS just turned 3 years old. Anyone know how often the batteries need to be replaced on these beasts?
Click to expand...
As long as they aren't used heavily, as in the battery backup part of the system, the batteries could last 8-10 years, and should last at least 5.
 
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Freejack2
I don't think I've ever had destructive power spikes here but I did lose a power supply once when we had a power dip and the battery in the UPS was dying.
Replaced that with a APC BackUPS Pro 1100 that has buck and boost, haven't had a problem since.
Though now that I think about it the UPS just turned 3 years old. Anyone know how often the batteries need to be replaced on these beasts?
Click to expand...
As long as they aren't used heavily, as in the battery backup part of the system, the batteries could last 8-10 years, and should last at least 5.
Click to expand...

That's good to know, I think this UPS has a true sine wave so I plan to keep it for a long time.
Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: zinfamous
question:

i'm moving into a place with un-grounded sockets. (currently lobbying to get them grounded via landlord or pops--i'm no electrician)

is it completely stupid to simply plug a UPS/COnditioner/Surge protector--whatever--into an adapter for a simple 2-prong outlet? What perils would I face by going this route?

oh, I should mention that my plasma, + receiver + ps3, etc...and computer stuff will be plugged into these sockets.
Click to expand...

Not a good idea. The surge protector will use the ground to divert the surge. Without it, you're boned.
Click to expand...

damn. kinda what I was thinking. looks like I'll be hitting the crawl space and grounding some sockets.

next time you guys see me, my user name may be "lightly toasted"
 
Dude dont get me started on UPS. i just found out this server setup we have at work (its a small company), someone had put all servers and the firewall on one UPS (we have two APC UPS's), and a server (which fried over the weekend) was connected to the wall directly. while the monitor and the wireless AP had was on the power backup side of a APC UPC. :| W.T.F.

I'm not the admin (im a consultant that gets sent out to other companies) but I did a nice clean and easy setup a while ago which was simple and it worked. the past few months this "network admin" completely fucked it all up and i had to declutter his cables mess today while trying to work with dell to replace the fried server (which has 6 days left on the warranty. the only bright spot of my day)

he came in today and had the gall to say "who would've hooked the server up to the wall" when he's the one that's been playing with it for the past 6 months.
 
Products with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR)

Line Conditioners:
The OPTI-UPS and the Powercom are not UL certified. Is this important? I have used the OPTI-UPS for a year now with no problems and have been purchasing these as gifts for friends and family.
 
Originally posted by: chusteczka


The OPTI-UPS and the Powercom are not UL certified. Is this important? I have used the OPTI-UPS for a year now with no problems and have been purchasing these as gifts for friends and family.
Click to expand...

It doesn't mean that the product is bad or there is anything wrong with it. Just that they did not submit it to UL for testing. It cost quite a bit so some manufacturers don't.
 
Originally posted by: chusteczka
Products with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR)

Line Conditioners:
The OPTI-UPS and the Powercom are not UL certified. Is this important? I have used the OPTI-UPS for a year now with no problems and have been purchasing these as gifts for friends and family.
Click to expand...
Not unless you don't care about the posibility of a fire.

 
Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
How often do destructive power spikes happen? I haven't experienced one in the US before. Are they common occurances?
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Modelworks
Another option rather than plugging everything into surge protectors all over the house is just to get a whole house surge suppressor installed. They cost about $120 + installation and cover everything in the home.
Click to expand...

That won't save you from blackouts, and worse, brown-outs, the real killer. My trusty APC units have saved my ass from these several times; most notably, the massive grid failure in the Northeastern US about 5 years ago.

UPS stands for Uninterruptable Power Supply. As in, regardless of what's wrong with your power.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top