UPS and surge arrest questions

[mooojojojo]

I think of getting a UPS for home and I was wondering.. each UPS has an integrated surge arrest, right? And even when the batteries are dead - the surge arrest still works I suppose?

The one I'm eyeing is an APC BackUPS 350 (not smart UPS) - it's somewhat old I think (a year, perhaps 2?) and on the box it says that it supports Windows 98/NT/2000. So how do I know whether it's supported by XP? On APCs site I found a version of the PowerChute software which is for XP but it doesn't say which UPS devices it supports. Perhaps it's supported natively? Any ideas?

 

[jackschmittusa]

It will act as asurge arrester as long as the house wiring is correct. The software should support the model if it has that capability. A 350va model may not offer much powerout runtime if your rig draws much power.

 

[mooojojojo]

well.. my pc is not really powerful.. I reckon it'll give me 5mins to save files and shut down.. also here the power is kinda flaky with lamps blinking from time to time and sometimes it can reset the PC just like that.. I think that will fix it.

is $70 a good deal on this? it's an APC Back UPS 350..

 

[buleyb]

that should be fine. PowerChute and XP will both work with it, assuming you hookup the signal cable

 

[jackschmittusa]

I've recently seen that unit go for $29us after rebate at electronics and office supply stores.

 

[metalmania]

Man, why don't you try the APC BE500U (500VA) from Staples?

See details from Hot Deal forum here. Free after rebate or $10.

 

[Kk4JC]

I have a 300VA that my regular-clocked 1800+ and a 17" monitor will overload.
Bigger is better.
Just because it has PowerChute capability doesn't mean it comes with the cable...
Wait for a good deal (mine was $10).

Kk

 

[mooojojojo]

ok, but you guys are assuming that I live in the US and that is not so (actually this is Bulgaria).

so here this BackUPS CS 350 for $60 is considered good value (I think), and actually I got it. charged it during the night, this morning hooked it up but didn't isntall the software (the CD only had win2k and 9x powerchute). now I downloaded it and will install it in the evening. thanks for all the replys though.

one more thing - do you think that my 300W PSU with celeron2GHz (or upgraded to P4-2.4C) and a 19" monitor will overload it?

 

[mooojojojo]

Originally posted by: Kk4JC
I have a 300VA that my regular-clocked 1800+ and a 17" monitor will overload.
Bigger is better.
Just because it has PowerChute capability doesn't mean it comes with the cable...
Wait for a good deal (mine was $10).

Kk

so do you have them both (the PC and the Monitor) attached at the same time? how do you overcome the overloading limitation?

 

[r0guenj]

cool a fellow bulgarian.....(sort of) my g/f is from sofia (sp?)

anyway, how about looking for a ups with voltage regulation? it seems like that would also be an issue with the lights blinking and the power to your comp getting shut off......

unfortunately i have the same problem (flaky power) and the ups helps with brownouts (model number avr585 i think) also i have avoided tripping the circuit breaker in my house when it comes to anything computer/monitor/speaker related in my house.......

the ups i have though isn't large enough for what i want so i am waiting to find a larger one at a decent price......

 

[mooojojojo]

yes.. you spelled it right Sofia.. where are you?

about the UPS.. I already got it and I don't understand what Voltage Regulation is. I just hope it'll be able to run my PC and the 19" monitor that I'm going to get eventually on the battery ports with the surge protected port for stuff like my printer.

one thing that's not clear to me and that you mentioned is the 'tripping of the cirquit breaker'. can you explain a little? thanks!