Uninterruptible Power Supply & Surge Protection

[43st]

We just moved into an old house with even older wiring. I haven't tested any of the grounds yet, but I have found some ground lifters sitting around, which isn't a good sign. I want to isolate and protect the computer on one system and isolate and protect the modem/router/Vonage box on another system. I can calculate out the load, but I want to make sure I get the features that are best suited for older homes. What do you guys recommend? Do UPS units also act as power conditioners?

 

[Seekermeister]

From what I've read, the Smart UPS from APC include power conditioning, but not their regular UPS. I noticed that my unit has a warning light for the ground, so it can't cure a bad ground situation. But, you could always buy one, and if it didn't work properly, return it to the store.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: 43st
Do UPS units also act as power conditioners?

The better ones do. When you shop, look for that feature. If it is available, Costco has had excellent buys on top of the line TrippLites.

 

[HaroldW]

You may not see "power conditioning" listed in a UPS spec. I commonly see it referred to as "AVR" (Automatic Voltage Regulation.) AVR is the same thing as "power conditioning" or "line conditioning".

 

[AllGamer]

if you can afford it the APC 1200 series are the best slim and full of features long capacity too, only around $120~$130ish

 

[Navid]

What is provided to your house is "Voltage" not "Power"!
You take power from the line by putting load on it. The amount of power you take from the line is in your control not the power company.
Conditioning the power, in this case, is meaningless.

What you want is a relatively constant line voltage, which any decent UPS can provide for a computer.

If you have a mission critical equipment like a life-support equipment used in a hospital intensive care unit, you will need a UPS with AVR etc. To protect a home PC, you do not!

Edit:
You need to fix the ground and all the ground connections for your outlets first. That cannot be remedied by any kind of UPS or surge protector.

 

[43st]

I will test the outlets tonight and see if they're grounded properly, I suspect not. Bleh.