Part Recommendations

[BigAl01]

Most of you guys and gals know that I have quite a few computers on my LAN.  Most are gaming machines and many of them have an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for protection against voltage surges and power loss.  Being an retired electrical engineer, that's how I like to roll.  But not all of my computers have an UPS in the power circuit.  Three of them have just a surge protector.  Why?  Money I suppose is to blame, but even UPS devices can fail.

Not all UPS devices are what you think they should be.  I had a CyberPower 1500 VA unit, less than a year old, spark and fail a few months ago.  The computer it was supporting was running but it was not damaged.  Did the UPS take one for the team or did it fail from a bad design?  I took it apart and found what I think is a voltage regulator that blew out.  I have another one of these units in service and it's been fine so far, but my trust in CyberPower units has gone down a notch.   That brings us to APC UPS devices, maybe the industry leader.  I have several models of these units, most at the 1500 VA rating but a few of the 1000 VA rating too.  One of them, the APC Back-UPS Pro 1500S, seems to have a consistent failure mode or latch-up condition.  If I don't power it on every month or 5-6 weeks, it won't come on at all.  I must then pull the power plug, lay it on it's side and pull the battery to disconnect one lead (usually the red or positive side wire) for a minute.  Then I reassemble it and it works fine.  That is consistent with both of the units I have of this model, so I will not buy another one.  I also have one Trip-Lite UPS device (no issues with it) and a few smaller 'other brand' UPS devices for my LAN network components.  

So, do you protect each and every computer you have in operation with an UPS?  Do you at least use surge protectors, such as a surge power strip?  What about your network devices, like routers, cable modems and switches?

Maybe my favorite UPS, the APC Back-UPS XS 1500.Yes, I have several of these units.I don't know if I trust CyberPower UPS units anymore.I have two of these and both suffer from the latch-up condition. Pain in the butt sometimes.Another workhorse on my LAN, the Back-UPS XS 1000 unit. These have been very reliable.This Tripp-Lite supports both a gaming computer and a Raspberry Pi computer that supports streaming music services.

[ajlueke]

Yes, if you opt to do your own work make sure you pull permits where appropriate, and have it inspected afterward.   

[Vynski]

Unlike most of you in the forum.  I live in rural, rural America.  My closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away.  I am somewhat of a recluse, I enjoy the quiet sounds of a gentle breeze and the frogs croaking at night.  

So, I have done all of the electrical wiring for everything on the farm from my home to multiple grain dryers on grain bins.  However, when it comes time to connect to the power grid, I have a certified licensed electrician perform that job (usually a friend that works for the power company).

[mengelag]

So what you recommend for a UPS? I'm seriously considering one after this post

[BigAl01]

I tend to trust APC UPS devices more than other brands.  Get at least the 1000 VA level.  I have three of the 1500 VA versions powering the three computers in my den.

[Vynski]

I've used both APC and Tripp Lite.  Bothe perform exceptionally.  

I prefer Tripp Lite.  However I would only use one of these two but keep your budget in check.

[FunkZ]

I used to use an APC SmartUPS 1500 to protect my main PC and network gear, and never had a failure with its operation. HOWEVER it would unfailingly indicate battery replacements were needed every 2-3 years. After the last battery replacements lasted only a little over 1 year, I had them tested and guess what... the batteries were perfectly fine.

I threw the APC out and bought a CyberPower 1325 and not only did the original batteries the UPS came with last almost 6 years, it took the same type as the APC and I was able to re-use the "failed" batteries and they're still going strong.

My experience with APC doesn't seem to be an isolated incident as I have heard first hand accounts of similar frequent battery replacement indication. When the price of an APC UPS is 2-3 times as much as CyberPower and "requires" battery replacement 2-3 times as often, the operational costs of using APC are simply too prohibitive. 

[AgCN3]

I agree with this.  the APC BackUPS Pro that I was using at home would seemingly "fault" batteries for no reason whatsoever...  and I would replace them with brand new batteries and a year later same thing would happen, so I dumped APC and went with Cyberpower, and it's been rock solid for two years now, no problems at all.

I just recently had to replace the battery in the APC BackUPS Pro 1000S at work, so we'll see how long that one lasts before problems start.

[BigAl01]

I have an APU BackUPS 1000 giving me periodic battery warnings.  When it starts chirping, I hit it's mute button but I know I should pull the batteries out and see when I last replaced them.   I usually write the date I installed batteries on the batteries themselves (using masking tape); I have at least 10 UPS devices so it's hard to remember things like this over the years.  I still have a fear in me of the CyberPower UPS series, as I had one burn out a voltage regulator while I was sitting nearby.  That startled me and other computers that were on at the time had no issues, so I doubt it was a voltage surge that did it.

[reutech]

Network, Home Theatre, Desktops and Laptops all ride on a UPS in our home.

[Becon_Bason]

The question of protecting computers and network devices with UPS, sparking a debate both familiar and relevant.

Arguments for UPS:

Power outages and surges: Unpredictable power events can wreak havoc on electronics. UPS provides precious backup time for saving work and preventing hardware damage.

Peace of mind: Knowing your critical devices are shielded from electrical hiccups offers valuable reassurance.

Extended runtime: Larger UPS models can keep systems running for extended periods, allowing for graceful shutdowns or continued operation during lengthy outages.

Arguments against UPS:

Cost: Quality UPS units can be expensive, especially for multiple devices.

Maintenance: Batteries require replacement over time, adding to the long-term cost.

Failure points: Even UPS devices can fail, potentially leaving you vulnerable.

Not all devices need it: Basic tasks like browsing might not require UPS protection.

Personal Considerations:

Frequency and severity of power outages: Frequent or disruptive outages warrant stronger UPS protection.

Criticality of data and uptime: Lost work or service interruptions have different consequences based on your needs.

Budget and risk tolerance: Weigh the cost of protection against the potential cost of equipment damage and data loss.

Your experiences:

CyberPower: Faulty unit raises concerns about brand reliability.

APC: Mixed bag, Back-UPS Pro 1500S latch-up issue, other models reliable.

Trip-Lite and others: Positive experiences with diverse brands.

Network devices: Protecting routers, modems, and switches ensures connectivity during outages. Consider smaller UPS units or powerline surge protectors.

Conclusion:

The decision to use UPS is personal and depends on your specific needs and risk tolerance. Weigh the cost, maintenance, and potential benefits against the risks of unprotected equipment. Remember, even surge protectors offer a layer of vital protection.

I hope this analysis helps you and others navigate the decision-making process for further assistance  visit: https://reelssaver.net/

[BigAl01]

Looks like an AI mashup to me.

[Black_Bombarder]

Yup, it is mandatory here in Serbia since there are often fluctuations in power delivery. I bought CyberPower 2200 and modified it a bit so that its cooler is working most of the time to chill it. The previous one had an issue with the cooler, it didn't work at all and got overheated. On top of that it powers my crypto rig as well. Can't complain for now...