Can I use power strips plugged into a UPS ?

[Kwad Guy]

I currently have one UPS (uninterupted power supply) into
which I have plugged a surge supressor/power strip.
The power strip is being used, rather than direct
connection to the UPS, because I need more outlets that
the UPS offers if I want all my peripherals on the UPS.

I was just reading an article at ArsTechnica that
said one should "never" plug a power strip into a UPS.
Is this true? And if so, why? My UPS is more
than capable of running all the devices on the power
strip with tons of headroom (about 25-30% of max
capacity with everything on).

So...Is it true one should not plug a power strip into
a UPS? And if so, why? I will note, in closing, that
nowhere in the manual for the UPS is any note made of
this, and it seems like a pretty obvious thing to do,
so if it's not a good thing, I'm surprised it isn't
mentioned.

THanks,

Kwad

 

[Workin']

As long as you don't overload the capacity of the UPS, you can plug just about whatever you want into it. But don't plug a laser printer into the UPS, they have very high peak current draws that can fry the voltage regulation circuitry in the UPS.

I have a dinky APC BackUPS 280 and I have used it for over 2 years with a power strip plugged in. The UPS has only 2 outlets, but I have my computer, monitor, 8-port network hub, and external modem plugged into it.

 

[Electric Amish]

I think the only reason NOT to use power strips off the UPS is that it's really easy for people to overload the UPS. If your UPS has 3 plugs and you put a power strip with 6 plugs on each of those, you could theoretically get 18 devices on the UPS. Depending on the size of the UPS that's probably a little overboard.

Amish

 

[Thorn]

Just remember... NEVER hook up a laser printer to a conventional UPS. It's a quick way to fry the UPS (very likely), and damage the printer (unlikely, but possible).

 

[Kwad Guy]

Yeah, the instructions with all my UPS units have said, in
very bold type, that one should never attach a laser printer to the
UPS. I don't currently have a laser printer, so that's not an
issue. But if/when I get one, I got that message loud and clear!

Kwad

 

[MWink]

NEVER PLUG A SURGE PROTECTOR INTO A UPS!!! There is a reason behing this. The only UPSs that you can plug a surge protector into are ones with Pure Sine Wave output and some APC models especially designed to work with them. The problem has to do with the stepped wave output and the way surge protectors work. It is very possible to blow the UPS and/or the surge protector by plugging the surge protector into the UPS. If you need more outlets do what I did and get a power strip without surge supression. If you want more info, check APC's database.

 

[Pete]

I don't get it--if stepped sine wave isn't good for a surge protector, how can it be good for your PC?