Can I chain power strips?

[DBissett]

Since networking the two computers in my office the 3 monitors connected to my primary computer will rarely sleep, like maybe one night a month, and I haven't been able to figure out how to resolve this. So, I'm thinking about connecting these monitors to their own power strip and cutting their power manually at the end of the day (turning them on/off manually is getting old). The whole system runs off a battery backup unit, so this power strip would be connected to that. Does anyone see a problem doing this? Thanks.

 

[Mark R]

No problem.

 

[piasabird]

That will probably work fine.

At work I often turn my monitor off just so people cant see my screen when I go to lunch or whatever. I also often do this at night since I dont use a screensaver and I dont want the same image up on my monitor all night.

When I was using a cable modem I sometimes had connection issues. So I put my netwoking equipment like my cable modem and router on a separate power strip so I could turn them off without messing with my computers. Otherwise it takes longer if you have to do a shutdown on my computer just to reboot the router or cable modem. In this case you dont want to have both your computer/server and your networking all connected together.

I kept getting dropped connections, but I found it was the cheap wireless routers I got from AT&T. It was a pain because my connections would drop in the middle of streaming video. Since I went to the new AT&T Universe Internet my service has not been dropping at all. Maybe they upgraded their equipment or something.

 

[KeithP]

As I recall, a simple power strip is fine but a surge supressor is not. I would check the manual on your UPS to be sure.

-KeithP

 

[tynopik]

is the insurance policy that came with the UPS important to you? if so, don't use a power strip

under no circumstances use a surge suppressor with it

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Since networking the two computers in my office the 3 monitors connected to my primary computer will rarely sleep, like maybe one night a month, and I haven't been able to figure out how to resolve this.

Did you turn off WOL in the BIOS? Prune network services and make sure the workstation is disconnecting idle users too.

 

[tigersty1e]

not to hijack, but is it possible to chain 2 surge protectors?

and would the second surge protector be protected by the first?

 

[Mark R]

and would the second surge protector be protected by the first?

You can chain them. They will work as power strips.

However, the protection capacity is not additive; the more sensitive one will take the whole surge, and the less sensitive one absorb nothing. Unfortunately, there's no way to tell which one is which. Only devices plugged directly into the one offering protection will receive optimal protection. Partial protection will be extended to devices plugged into the other.

 

[DBissett]

Did you turn off WOL in the BIOS? Prune network services and make sure the workstation is disconnecting idle users too.

Is there something in the BIOS called WOL? And how do I prune network services and make sure the workstation is disconnecting idle users? These two computers sit side by side, networked via an ATT Uverse modem for the sole purpose of sharing a printer...there's no file sharing between the computers. The secondary computer goes to sleep normally but the "main" one won't. I've checked all the power saving options I can find and the monitors are set to sleep but won't. As for the original question, Tripp Lite's manual says not to connect surge suppressors or extension cords to the UPS because it may damage the unit, and of course void the warranty. Maybe I'm not supposed to pull the juice for 3 monitors through one output?

 

[zardthebuilder]

You can chain them. They will work as power strips.

However, the protection capacity is not additive; the more sensitive one will take the whole surge, and the less sensitive one absorb nothing. Unfortunately, there's no way to tell which one is which. Only devices plugged directly into the one offering protection will receive optimal protection. Partial protection will be extended to devices plugged into the other.

i think i understand what you are trying to say, but it seems incomplete. i am not an expert, but it is my understanding that every surge protector has a voltage threshold that triggers a response if there is a voltage spike.

if the more sensitive surge protector is first, then yes, the second is essentially a power strip. but, surge protectors eventually lose their ability to protect. by chaining two, if the first one dies, the second will start protecting based on the higher voltage threshold.

if the more sensitive surge protector is second, then the second surge protector will provide the initial protection. if the voltage continues to increase and reaches that unit's threshold, then the first surge protector will start to protect. again, if one dies, you have the protection of the other.

because of this inevitable failure of all surge protectors, i use two surge protectors on all expensive equipment. and for years, i have been attaching surge protectors to my four UPS units. as far as i can tell, they work just fine. i replaced the batteries after about 4 years, but that's normal.

 

[DBissett]

i think i understand what you are trying to say, but it seems incomplete. i am not an expert, but it is my understanding that every surge protector has a voltage threshold that triggers a response if there is a voltage spike.

if the more sensitive surge protector is first, then yes, the second is essentially a power strip. but, surge protectors eventually lose their ability to protect. by chaining two, if the first one dies, the second will start protecting based on the higher voltage threshold.

if the more sensitive surge protector is second, then the second surge protector will provide the initial protection. if the voltage continues to increase and reaches that unit's threshold, then the first surge protector will start to protect. again, if one dies, you have the protection of the other.

because of this inevitable failure of all surge protectors, i use two surge protectors on all expensive equipment. and for years, i have been attaching surge protectors to my four UPS units. as far as i can tell, they work just fine. i replaced the batteries after about 4 years, but that's normal.

Do you put your surge protectors between the wall and the UPS or between the UPS and your equipment? Also, you might be interested in Brickwall surge protectors.

 

[zardthebuilder]

Do you put your surge protectors between the wall and the UPS or between the UPS and your equipment? Also, you might be interested in Brickwall surge protectors.

i put my surge protectors between the UPS and my equipment. and i make sure that the total load on the surge protector is nowhere near the normal limit of one socket.

brickwall... very interesting. they use a massive inductor to absorb the energy and then dissipate it slowly. i'm really tempted in buying one.

eta: i don't care about the insurance, because most coverages require you to mail the equipment prepaid. i'm not going to spend $50 on shipping to have them turn down my claim. i'm really pessimistic when it comes to insurance.