Is it safe to connect an multi-outlet surge protector to a UPS?

[lsquare]

I bought a new UPS recently and I notice that there aren't enough outlets in the back to connect my gadgets and computers.

My plan is to connect the UPS directly to the wall. Then attach a multi-outlet UPS like the APC or Belkin 12-outlet surge protector to the back of the UPS.

Is this safe? Would you guys recommend it? Will the UPS work as intended and provide power to the gadgets that are connected to the surge protector, which is connected to the UPS?

 

[Fayd]

i dont know if it's safe, but i do it. i plug one into the non-battery powered ports to power random low power things like chargers.

i think the main danger is overloading a port. so dont be dumb, and you should be fine.

 

[0roo0roo]

cheap ups don't actually kick in until theres a power cut, so until then its not going through the battery so it doesn't matter, its going straight through

 

[Blain]

Would you guys recommend it?
Will the UPS work as intended and provide power to the gadgets that are connected to the surge protector, which is connected to the UPS?

* No
* No
At most I would connect a regular non-surge power strip to the UPS.

 

[lsquare]

* No
* No
At most I would connect a regular non-surge power strip to the UPS.

So the UPS won't provide power to the gadgets/components that are connected to the surge protector that's connected to the UPS?

Any reason why you're saying no?

 

[0roo0roo]

makes no difference, eitehr the ups is decent enough to provide its own surge protection while bypassing the battery or if its really sh*tty it just passes straight through, in either case its your choice whether you use a surge protector or not, it does no harm that i can think of. if its a nice ups that is constantly feeding through the battery then a surge protector is unecessary.

 

[lsquare]

makes no difference, eitehr the ups is decent enough to provide its own surge protection while bypassing the battery or if its really sh*tty it just passes straight through, in either case its your choice whether you use a surge protector or not, it does no harm that i can think of. if its a nice ups that is constantly feeding through the battery then a surge protector is unecessary.

Thx for the response. I don't really need the surge protection from the multi-outlet surge protector. The only reason why I need to use it is because my UPS doesn't have enough outlets. I simply just need more outlets!

Btw, I failed to mention that I have the APC 900VA / 540Watts UPS.

 

[RebateMonger]

My recollection is that APC used to have a REALLY strong warning about surge protectors in series with UPSes. I believe they said it was a fire risk. Now their warning is lesser:

"APC recommends against the use of any surge protector, power strip or extension cord being plugged into the output of any APC Back-UPS and Smart-UPS products. This document will explain why."

http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_e...Xh0PXN1cmdlIHByb3RlY3Rvcg**&p_li=&p_topview=1

"Plugging a surge protector into your UPS:

Surge protectors filter the power for surges and offer EMI/RFI filtering but do not efficiently disstribute the power, meaning that some equipment may be deprived of the necessary amperage it requires to run properly – causing your attached equipment (computer, monitor, etc) to shutdown or reboot. If you need to supply additional receptacles on the output of your UPS, we recommend using Power Distribution Units (PDU's). PDUs evenly distribute the amperage among the outlets, while the UPS will filter the power and provide surge protection. PDU’s use and distribute the available amperage more efficiently, allowing your equipment to receive the best available power to maintain operation.

However, please note that the UPS is designed to handle a limited amount of equipment. Please be cautious about plugging too much equipment into the UPS to avoid an overload condition. To understand the load limit of your particular model UPS please consult the User's Manual, or visit APC's Product Page at www.apcc.com/products.

Plugging your UPS into a surge protector:

In order for your UPS to get the best power available, you should plug your UPS directly into the wall receptacle. Plugging your UPS into a surge protector may cause the UPS to go to battery often when it normally should remain online. This is because other, more powerful equipment may draw necessary voltage away from the UPS which it requires to remain online.

Maintaining EPP and Warranty:

Plugging any non-APC surge protector, power strip, or extension cord into the output of an APC brand UPS could void your Equipment Protection Policy (EPP). However, the standard 2 year product warranty is maintained. If, after taking into consideration this knowledge base document, you choose to use an APC brand surge protector in conjunction with your APC brand UPS, your warranty and Equipment Protection Policy will be maintained."

 

[lsquare]

My recollection is that APC used to have a REALLY strong warning about surge protectors in series with UPSes. I believe they said it was a fire risk. Now their warning is lesser:

"APC recommends against the use of any surge protector, power strip or extension cord being plugged into the output of any APC Back-UPS and Smart-UPS products. This document will explain why."

http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_e...Xh0PXN1cmdlIHByb3RlY3Rvcg**&p_li=&p_topview=1

"Plugging a surge protector into your UPS:

Surge protectors filter the power for surges and offer EMI/RFI filtering but do not efficiently disstribute the power, meaning that some equipment may be deprived of the necessary amperage it requires to run properly – causing your attached equipment (computer, monitor, etc) to shutdown or reboot. If you need to supply additional receptacles on the output of your UPS, we recommend using Power Distribution Units (PDU's). PDUs evenly distribute the amperage among the outlets, while the UPS will filter the power and provide surge protection. PDU’s use and distribute the available amperage more efficiently, allowing your equipment to receive the best available power to maintain operation.

However, please note that the UPS is designed to handle a limited amount of equipment. Please be cautious about plugging too much equipment into the UPS to avoid an overload condition. To understand the load limit of your particular model UPS please consult the User's Manual, or visit APC's Product Page at www.apcc.com/products.

Plugging your UPS into a surge protector:

In order for your UPS to get the best power available, you should plug your UPS directly into the wall receptacle. Plugging your UPS into a surge protector may cause the UPS to go to battery often when it normally should remain online. This is because other, more powerful equipment may draw necessary voltage away from the UPS which it requires to remain online.

Maintaining EPP and Warranty:

Plugging any non-APC surge protector, power strip, or extension cord into the output of an APC brand UPS could void your Equipment Protection Policy (EPP). However, the standard 2 year product warranty is maintained. If, after taking into consideration this knowledge base document, you choose to use an APC brand surge protector in conjunction with your APC brand UPS, your warranty and Equipment Protection Policy will be maintained."

Thx for the information. What's are Power Distribution Units? Can I buy them at an electronics store or the Home Depot?

 

[Paperdoc]

I'm sure the "Power distribution Units" are just the same thing as Blain said, non-surge-protected multi-outlet power strips. "Surge Protection" has become such a common attractive selling feature that it tends to be included in a LOT of power strips. In fact, the cheapest way to do that, which is marginally effective, is TOO common. I tends to grab the attention of people who don't understand it so they will pay more for a feature they don't need. So you actually have to look around in the stores for a power strip that does NOT promise Surge Protection. might even cost less.

 

[Modelworks]

Basically APC is covering their ass if you go out and buy a cheap or poor quality power strip and plug it in.
A decently designed power strip , even with surge, will work fine on any UPS.

 

[westom]

I'm sure the "Power distribution Units" are just the same thing as Blain said, non-surge-protected multi-outlet power strips. "Surge Protection" has become such a common attractive selling feature that it tends to be included in a LOT of power strips.

What is a power strip protector? Typically a $3 power strip with some ten cent protector parts. It sells in the grocery store for $7. And sells with fancier paint for $25 or $150 in the big box TV stores.

All power strips must provide 15 amps. All must provide sufficient power. The power plug (two rectangular prongs with a round safety ground prong) means the plug and connected wires must be rated for 15 amps. Any power strip that does not have a 15 amp circuit breaker should be scrapped immediately.

What does APC not mention? Power output by a typical computer grade UPS is 'dirty'. Potentially harmful to small electric motors and power strip protectors. Being honest would hurt the 'cleans electricity' myths.

A UPS connects the appliance directly to AC mains when not in battery backup mode. That is when power is 'cleanest'. An output from one 120 volt UPS in battery backup mode. Two 200 volt square waves with a spike of up to 270 volts between those square waves. That is 'clean' power only when myths get promoted. That output is why power strip protectors are best not on a UPS output. That output can be harmful to small motors and power strip protectors.

Best power strip contains no protectors. And should always have a 15 amp circuit breaker (or fuse). That is also called a plug mole or power distribution unit.

 

[Snooper]

Surge protectors filter the power for surges and offer EMI/RFI filtering but do not efficiently disstribute the power, meaning that some equipment may be deprived of the necessary amperage it requires to run properly – causing your attached equipment (computer, monitor, etc) to shutdown or reboot. If you need to supply additional receptacles on the output of your UPS, we recommend using Power Distribution Units (PDU's). PDUs evenly distribute the amperage among the outlets, while the UPS will filter the power and provide surge protection. PDU’s use and distribute the available amperage more efficiently, allowing your equipment to receive the best available power to maintain operation.

I call BULL! "efficiently distribute the power"???? Give me a break. The outlets are in parallel to the hot and ground leads. The only way they couldn't "efficiently distribute the power" was if the bus that connects each outlet was SO undersized that one device that pulled a lot of current would actually cause a voltage drop across the bus. Of course, if you had one device that pulled that much power, you probably have other issues with insufficient power at the outlet anyway.

I think the correct term for this is FUD. They also call this "marketing" as well. Either way, it is bull.

Just for the record, your entire house is connected in parallel. Every single circuit in that house is tied to either L1 and neutral, L2 and neutral, or between L1 and L2 (220V). And they are ALL in parallel. Heck, not only that but there is a good chance that four or five house in your neighborhood are also connected in parallel to the same transformer.