Anyone got a UPS?

superscaper

In planning to build a new PC (saving up for relatively high spec), I was wondering what people's experiences of UPS (and surge protectors) were and any recommendations? (mostly seems to be Belkin or APC at moment)

wolfman

I've got/had one. A Belkin, it's in the other room. Actually you're welcome to it if you want.

My experiences with it. They're heavy and quite big. The problem with mine is that the battery has died. They need replacing every year or two I think.

It's quite a chunky battery, big square block. I've just been lazy and not found anywhere to buy a replacement.

That was the main pain for me, I didn't really need it, was being overly geeky I think. Have bought a belkin surge protected 6 way to replace it for now.

The_JinJ

Do you really need a UPS? The cheaper ones will give only enough time to shut down, not run off the battery. Surge protection is always worthwile - can get a decent 4 way style one for cheap.

superscaper

Well that's partially why I was asking for experiences, to also gauge whether they're even worth getting anyway (my only experience of UPS to date is learning and writing up on the industrial sized ones for BNFL's headquarters, although I didn't tell you that! ). I've certainly experienced sudden power cuts. My current multiways are surge protected anyway. Maybe I'll stick to making sure my surge protectors are decent.

Leopard

We have three UPS devices in our house - all are APS domestic units with 13 amp, 3-pin sockets.

They're brilliant.

Two serve computer setups (they're in different rooms) which includes the wireless broadband modem/router. The third, smaller one serves the Sky+ box and DVD recorder in the lounge.

The batteries last for years and when they do expire APC has a thoroughly efficient online process for getting you a new one by next day delivery and at a very reasonable cost.

They keep you going through thunderstorms and you can go on holiday for a month safe in the knowledge that the Sky+ box will record everything you've told it to, instead of switching off the day after you leave because of a brief power outage!

Absolutely recommended. Wouldn't be without them.

esbo

If you are caustious enough to use a UPS then you probably walk around with a lightening conductor on your head trailing a copper gauze.
Waste of money IMO, however if you have money to waste don't let me stop you!

superscaper

esbo wrote: »

If you are caustious enough to use a UPS then you probably walk around with a lightening conductor on your head trailing a copper gauze.
Waste of money IMO, however if you have money to waste don't let me stop you!

I never said I was getting a UPS, I was merely asking people's personal experiences so I could make up my own mind about them. My only experience of them is in an industrial setting (where they are essential) and not a domestic one. I should probably also point out that your example of being overly cautious is actually the complete opposite and an example of "encouraging" the likelihood of dangerous occurence.

It would have been useful having a UPS when I lost a bit of important work and the working files kind of got corrupted. Whether it's worth the potential work loss for the money of the UPS is a good question I don't really have the answer to and I'm erring on the side of it not being worth it. But I'd hardly imply it's overly cautious when it covers something that actually DOES happen.

Blacksheep1979

Useful if you're worried about computers not shutting down properly and losing data ie with RAID etc can be an issue if you've got write buffering and the power dies. Batteries last fine as long as you take care of them and service them as you should.

Personally wouldn't bother unless you're worried about losing data and using RAID.

esbo

superscaper wrote: »

I never said I was getting a UPS, I was merely asking people's personal experiences so I could make up my own mind about them. My only experience of them is in an industrial setting (where they are essential) and not a domestic one. I should probably also point out that your example of being overly cautious is actually the complete opposite and an example of "encouraging" the likelihood of dangerous occurence.

It would have been useful having a UPS when I lost a bit of important work and the working files kind of got corrupted. Whether it's worth the potential work loss for the money of the UPS is a good question I don't really have the answer to and I'm erring on the side of it not being worth it. But I'd hardly imply it's overly cautious when it covers something that actually DOES happen.

Well in all my experience of computers, both at home and a work I have never
known an instance of loss of data due to an interupted power supply.
I have lost loads of data due to software faults though.
Lightening are their to protecy from lightening, if indeed they encourage it it just
proves they are working well. I would rather be out in a storm carrying a grounded
conductor than without.

evilgoose

We use a selection of UPS in work from a very large facility UPS to desktop ones.

You need to balance the cost with the benifit, how many times do you have a power out? - and are they long term cuts or just 'blips'. They'll allow you to 'weather' the blips so your PC wont crash unexpectidly and give you an opportunity to power down safely if it's a longer cut. If you leave your PC on all day,even when you are out (shame on you! lol) - make sure the UPS comes with control software which will power down your PC when a power out is detected.

Your electric bill will go up with them though!

What do you hope to achive with an UPS? I know some people who expect it to allow them to get their equipment on for hours whilst they continue to work - which isn't the case!!

We use HP, Liebert, APC and have used some belkin, its what ever device suits the situation. You shouldnt really get an ups until you've sized your PC so you know what it wattage is.

Batteries should last around 3yrs and if you get your ups from a good company (like above) then you'll be able to get a replacement.

superscaper

esbo wrote: »

Well in all my experience of computers, both at home and a work I have never
known an instance of loss of data due to an interupted power supply.
I have lost loads of data due to software faults though.
Lightening are their to protecy from lightening, if indeed they encourage it it just
proves they are working well. I would rather be out in a storm carrying a grounded
conductor than without.

I've already mentioned data loss due to power cuts.

A better analogy would be walking around in a Faraday cage. At least that actually would protect you.