Power Protection UPS

[Wellcky]

Just curious what or if any type power protection you use for your computer(s) at home?

Looking to replace the one that just died at my girl friends place.

 

[MustISO]

I have two APC UPS units and a Cyberpower unit. Other than the fan dying in one of the APC units they've been solid. No issues with the Cyberpower either.

 

[KentState]

I purchased 3 Cyberpower units for myself and parents. The first two have lasted 3 years without issue and mine is about a year old and been through four or so power outages without fail.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

No complaints against my APC unit. Has worked as advertised for about a year and a half now.

 

[Arcanedeath]

I voted for APC but I also have triplite and delltec UPS's that all work fine (the delltec's are ancient)

 

[Charlie98]

I've always used APC but I have my eye on a CyberPower PureSineWave...

 

[corkyg]

The poll mechanics are misleading in thast it allows only a single choice. I have two UPS's - one for each system, and one is APC and the other Tripplite. Ergo, I could not respond accurately to the poll.

 

[billyb0b]

Running 3 APC units for years and years with the normal battery replacements on all of them. THey are solid and I'm sold on APC quality.

 

[jjsbasmt]

APC fan here, see sig. Have purchased 6 units over the last 10 years, and other than replacing the batteries in each about every 3 years, no issues noted and all have pretty much operated 24/7.

 

[terry107]

I've had 2 APC units for >5 years and they have been rock solid.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Love mine (APC).

 

[JamesV]

I have two APC units.

The old one is from my dual core build, a 400W UPS, and the new one is for my 2600K build, a 750W UPS.

I could run everything off the 750W (12 mins runtime), since I didn't go SLI (no game can faze my PC anyway), but I run my monitor/modem/printer/cable box/ off my 400W, which give me more time overall when the power goes out.

I'm in a highly populated area, but we get alot of brownouts, and probably 2-3 blackouts per year. In the past week my UPS even saved me from my own stupidity. I have a line running from behind a standalone freezer, and while cleaning the coils of the freezer, I apparently pulled the plug enough so it was hanging and falling out from the weight of the cord (high outlet).

Later I'm sitting at my PC, and *beep beep* "Low Volts" and you have '24 minutes'. Hmmm... all the rest of the power is on, wtf. Checked the plug (first troubleshoot of any problem), and plugged it back in.

UPS ftw to put it simply. Insurance and even awesome when it kicks in. Only have used APC, so I can't comment on other manufacturers though. Not really happy with APC's current software.

 

[MichaelD]

This post assumes we are talking about consumer-grade UPSs. I.E. Soley battery-powered, $500 or less, not attached to fuel -powered generator.

Interactive consumer grade UPS's have been very reliable for 10+ years now. "Interactive" means that the UPS comes with software that you load on your PC, so that when power fails the UPS software performs a normal shutdown of your PC within the time limits allowed by the backup battery.

What does this do for you? It's common knowledge that the worst way to shut down a computer of any kind is to yank the power plug out/hit the power button. This could leave the Operating System in an unknown "last good state". You could also lose whatever you were working on before the power failure at best. At worst the Operating System could become corrupt and you can't get back in to your computer.

IMO, if you buy a brand name UPS (APC/Cyberpower/many others) you'll get a quality unit with good software.

THE REAL PROBLEM with any UPS is the batteries. Bottom line is that they "die" or refuse to hold a charge after "some time." IME, "some time" is around 4 years, +/- 1 year. Eventually the battery will become so old that it can't hold a charge long enough to power whatever you've got plugged into it long enough to shut it down gently. I.E. the battery is too old to do the job.

Lead-acid/gel cell batteries are still too expensive to warrant buying new batteries vs. buying a whole new UPS.

If you are serious about your computer or WHATEVER gear you cherish, you'll plug it into an interactive, auto voltage regulating UPS. Plan on buying a new UPS every 3-5 years. It's just a common operating expense that's necessary for protecting your data and gear.