UPSs

OK Guys,
I admit I haven't done any real research into this yet. Given all of my issues with my machine about a week ago I was planning to upgrade it's living situation some to try and protect it. Idea #1 was to put it on a UPS, not so much for the battery backup but mainly to condition the power it's getting. I think there are some internal wiring issues that cause alot fo power fluctuation (that and the fact I am quite a ways out of town). I was thinking a UPS would help with this. I went to the store to buy one and saw that the $50 APC were only rated for like 250 Watts. I have a 450 Watt PSU, there onlu seemed to be one that went that high and it was rather expensive. My question is, does this really matter to get a UPS that matches the peak wattage of my psu? Should I only worry about the UPS matching the typical wattage? Does it matter at all really? Does it only matter when the power goes out? Has anyone install a circuit breaker that conditions in lieu of a power condtioner at the site of the machine?

First thing is your power supply can supply 450 but that does not mean that is what you actually are using. It will only pull the wattage it uses. The voltage remains the same but amperage/wattage only draws what it needs up to the max of 450. Also remember most UPS’s are not rated by wattage but by VA. Okay it is basically the same 😉

Well I would say TRY to get as much of not more than what will be running on it. If your needs are just to protect from brownouts and small spikes you may get away with a smaller one but I am unsure how much it will drain it ongoing. You will get 0 battery life from it of course IF you are maxed out. I am honestly unsure using a UPS that is rated smaller than your load is a good idea.

If you can do it I would recommend you wait, save up and get a higher rated one. Actually APC's are REALLY cheap these days man. Look around local. I bet buying one online will kill you in shipping costs as those suckers are HEAVY!! 😉

No circuit breaker can condition much really except some spikes.

UPS's condition excess voltage by simply clipping and filtering the excess, a good breaker may be able to do that. Anything in the lower voltage range, brownouts etc.. can only be compensated by another power source, since it has to be added to, so you need a UPS for those. These are much more common as well.

I NEVER run my computers without a UPS on them. I even have a UPS for my stereo receiver and equipment, cable box Tivo’s etc..as well as one just for my 65” HDTV. I have already recorded stuff with my Tivo when the power went out as it and the cable box was on a UPS and kept going for awhile anyway 😉

Did this help at all?

I know that if you lick a live electrical line it hurts real, real bad....

That's all I know..... 🙁

I am ashamed to admit I studied electrical engineering for 1+ yrs in college. So I was aware that I am not always running 450W, but wonder if the UPS conditions even if you are over it's load capacity. And as for the conditioning circuits breakers, I noticed some recently that are expensive but claim they actually condition... is this what you are talking about? I have very nice surge suppressors on my electrical equipt. I am just wonder if a UPS will condition better than that. And thanks, what you said is helpful