• 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.

This might be a dumb question but...

T

TammiHearts

Member
As the title says this might be a dumb question but all this is still new to me so...

okay I bought a universal power supply with a battery backup for the new computer I built just incase.

And this might sound silly but is it okay to plug in the power cord for my computer after I turn on the universal power supply? Or do I have to plug it in then press the on button for the UPS.

Reason I ask is because when its off and I plug it into my computer, then turn on the UPS a little buzzing sound comes out of my computers power supply while the UPS boots up. But if I plug in the cord to my computer while the UPS is already on I hear a teeny sort of electric sound. And yes the plug to my computers power supply is at the 0.

God I hope that wasn't confusing lol!

So does it matter which way I do it?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
UPS is actually short for Uninterruptible Power Supply.

Does the buzzing sound happen when you plug directly into the wall?
 
Oh thanks for the correction!

Yes it's a uninterruptable power supply and so let me try to make it clear because I think what I wrote is reallyyy confusing

1. The UPS is plugged to the wall but off. The power cord to my computer is plugged in. I turn on the UPS and I hear a faint sound from the power supply for a very short while as the UPS comes up and does a self test. If the computer is directly plugged to the wall then no that short buzz doesn't happen. It's just for the first two seconds my UPS is powering on then it goes away.

2. The UPS is plugged to the wall and on. The power to my computer is unplugged. When I plug it in while the UPS is on I hear sort of a click? As if it's the electronics or something.

So does it matter how I do it? Is it okay to plug in my computer while the UPS is powered on?

I hope that was easy to understand. English isn't my first language so sometimes what I write can be confusing lol. Especially when Im trying to explain something a bit complicated.
 
Last edited:
Yes, it's perfectly OK to plug the computer in while the UPS is on. You most likely have an inexpensive line-interactive UPS, so the click you hear is the relay switching to provide current to your PC.
 
mfenn said:
Yes, it's perfectly OK to plug the computer in while the UPS is on. You most likely have an inexpensive line-interactive UPS, so the click you hear is the relay switching to provide current to your PC.
Click to expand...

It's something like this. Not the exact one but same brand.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842102048

Ive already spent so much money I didnt want to spend more for those 500 dollar ones I saw.

Glad that its ok. I was like "hmm...is it damaging my power supply right now?" Im super ocd lol so Im like this about everything.
 
TammiHearts said:
It's something like this. Not the exact one but same brand.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842102048

Ive already spent so much money I didnt want to spend more for those 500 dollar ones I saw.

Glad that its ok. I was like "hmm...is it damaging my power supply right now?" Im super ocd lol so Im like this about everything.
Click to expand...

That particular model is indeed line interactive, but that doesn't really say anything about whether yours is. Anything in the <$200 range is 99% likely to be line interactive though.

Note that there isn't a value judgement in there. A line interactive PSU is fine for normal consumer use.
 
Also, on my APC brand UPC, if it's off (plugged in or not) and you turn it on, it goes through a self-check or something... I have to give it a minute before I turn on the computer or anything else plugged into the UPC or it goes into error mode.

This may or may not apply to you, but just be aware. I couldn't figure it out the first few times it happened to me.
 
Thank you all for the help! Glad to know its working as is

Charlie98 said:
Also, on my APC brand UPC, if it's off (plugged in or not) and you turn it on, it goes through a self-check or something... I have to give it a minute before I turn on the computer or anything else plugged into the UPC or it goes into error mode.

This may or may not apply to you, but just be aware. I couldn't figure it out the first few times it happened to me.
Click to expand...

Ill keep that in mind thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top