APC UPS Question?

[Zorg]

They never give me a hard time. I guess I am a non-issue. Wait...how does that make me feel. :lol:

 

[CompuTronix]

That should make you feel thirsty. 😗 I'll drink to that!

 

[Zorg]

I'm finishing the Finlandia. Now I will have to go digging.

Edit: a** end of every bottle, I guess I need a trip to the store.

 

[CompuTronix]

I've always found that certain disciplines of archaeology can be especially rewarding! :lol:

 

[Zorg]

Cool, I know nothing more than I see on the science channel.

 

[SomeJoe7777]

SomeJoe7777 Does this APC UPS below offer great protection for my computer, or is there one with better faster protection? Also what is the difference between an APC UPS and a Smart APC UPS? Thank you!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101140

That's an APC Back-UPS RS series unit. It's line-interactive, so it has a small switching transient on a switch to battery power, but it can protect against over- and under-voltage conditions.

However, it's output waveform is a square wave, not a sine wave.

A better unit (though not as many watts) is the APC Smart-UPS SC620(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101011&Tpk=SC620), which has a stepped-wave output. A higher wattage (but more expensive) unit in this class would be the APC Smart-UPS SC1000 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101131).

To get a sine wave output, you have to go up to the Smart-UPS or Smart-UPS XL units.

The names "Back-UPS", "Smart-UPS", etc. are just APC's marketing names for that line of products. In addition to better quality output power, the Smart-UPS units tend to have more features, like monitoring software, tool-less battery replacement, LED status displays, better efficiency, etc.


Thanks for the kudos, gents. I'll see if I can write something up that could be a sticky.

 

[systemlord]

That's an APC Back-UPS RS series unit. It's line-interactive, so it has a small switching transient on a switch to battery power, but it can protect against over- and under-voltage conditions.

However, it's output waveform is a square wave, not a sine wave.

A better unit (though not as many watts) is the APC Smart-UPS SC620(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101011&Tpk=SC620), which has a stepped-wave output. A higher wattage (but more expensive) unit in this class would be the APC Smart-UPS SC1000 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101131).

To get a sine wave output, you have to go up to the Smart-UPS or Smart-UPS XL units.

The names "Back-UPS", "Smart-UPS", etc. are just APC's marketing names for that line of products. In addition to better quality output power, the Smart-UPS units tend to have more features, like monitoring software, tool-less battery replacement, LED status displays, better efficiency, etc.


Thanks for the kudos, gents. I'll see if I can write something up that could be a sticky.

I probibly should have stated that I'm more intrested in back-up protection (giving me a few minutes time to save and power down my system) than running my PC during a surging blackout. Which APC UPS would you recommend running with a high-end SLI gaming system using about 500 watts peak? Thanks again. 😀

 

[Zorg]

At the end maybe you could have 2-4 choices in each category to pick from. The specs on APCs website are sadly lacking. It forces you to call them and pick their brains to get the specifics. It's a major pain in the rear.

 

[Grimmy]

I think you guys should read this :

http://sanity.blog-city.com/encountering_a_fire_safety_hazard_with_a_belkin_ups_device.htm#
and this one too:
http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1372&p_created=1010390400&p_sid=FNQI5lWi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MzMwJnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1wbHVnZ2VkIGludG8gc3VyZ2UgcHJvdGVjdG9y&p_li=&p_topview=1

Interesting stuff on this subject. I agree with Zorg on those links.

I currently use an server rack APC 1400, replaced the batteries (4) about 3 weeks or so ago, which was about 120 bucks, but worth it to me. I ended up getting a second UPS knowing I was lighting up my poor APC up like a christmas tree and knew I better find another alternative. :lol:

But I use an old power surge protector that my monitor sits on, which is plugged into my APC. Thing is, that old power surge protector should be pretty much gone on filtering power. It should be acting like a reg power strip. Heh, I've had that power surge strip for over 10 years. I doubt the filters in it work at all anymore.

Also, after adding more components or utilizing more then 1 PC, it seems I made more of a balance of 2 UPS for at the most 15mins of backup power. I use my APC for both my XP and Linux machines, and for the monitor/speakers/router/ect on the 2nd. 😀

So I have the question, how long does it take for a power surge strip (has red/green leds indicating protected/ground) last? Some say one year or a few... what do you guys think?

Edit: Doh... I thought I was on the last page... seems I didn't read the whole thread. :lol:

 

[Zorg]

If it's just a surge protector and not an EMI/RFI filter then it will last years. Like 10 years easy. The MOVs don't get used unless they shunt to ground. If you have a lot of surges then they will wear out. If you have a really large surge then they will split/blow apart. Open it up, you can't miss them. See what shape they are in. If you have EMI/RFI filters then I don't know for sure but I suspect they will still last several years. Most surge protectors have an LED, or a window to look at the MOVs to ensure they are still working. On a single outlet one it had a window that you could see the red MOV and a sticker that said something like "If it's red your good to go. If it's black send it back". I haven't seen one in years, but you get the idea.

 

[Grimmy]

Hmmmm... k.

Whelp.. not gonna open it up, but the red (protected) led is working, and the green (ground) is still working. I believe its just a reg surge protector I got before I even had my APC 1400. My dads system even has basically the same thing (different brand) and his red/green led are still working.

So I guess it still working.. I know it's been 10+ years of using them.

It does have the phone jacks for EMI, but I don't even use them.

 

[malam]

At the end maybe you could have 2-4 choices in each category to pick from. The specs on APCs website are sadly lacking. It forces you to call them and pick their brains to get the specifics. It's a major pain in the rear.

Zorg you are correct, the manufacturer's site doesn't give you much. I spent almost 1/2 hour with APC support last week trying to figure out their different model numbers so that I can check the specs. In the end, I was more confused that when I started. The model numbers on the website are not the same as the retail ones, and then you have old models too. Its all meant to confuse the buyers, I think. A sticky on this forum will be a great help.

 

[Zorg]

Yup, irritating isn't it. Of course the auto, cellphone etc. industries are all guilty. I just got a KRZR K1m and getting the manual PDF from Verizon is impossible. If you guys can give me a link to the Verizon version of the KRZR PDF then kudos. I feel confident I won't get a reply. I know you are saying hijack, there is no hijack I was just making a point. They don't want you to have the info. There are far too many reasons for this (not the user guide PDF BS) to address now. Basically APC is protecting it's distributors and that is a good thing. But we have an inside track with SomeJoe7777. He seems to have significantly more experience than the rest of us, so I hope he puts something out.

 

[croc]

???? I'm confused... If Verizon had a different model than the stock model, then Motorola would have given it a different revision #. (K1v???) I would hope that you recieved a user guide with your phone. But you are right, their website sucks...

APC's website of several years ago (ok, a decade) used to be quite informative. I am also appalled at how much information it has lost.

 

[Zorg]

???? I'm confused... If Verizon had a different model than the stock model, then Motorola would have given it a different revision #. (K1v???) I would hope that you recieved a user guide with your phone. But you are right, their website sucks...

APC's website of several years ago (ok, a decade) used to be quite informative. I am also appalled at how much information it has lost.

VZW does have a different model KRZR K1M with the same model number. With custom everything, including super lockdowns. Verizon's attitude is pay me. They did give me a manual with the phone, although I didn't get Moto Phone tools which apparently comes with the phone, assuming you have a different carrier. I want a copy of a manual in PDF format. Wait... Wait they did furnish me with a manual, little tiny not 8X11 manual. I want a PDF, now and several years into the future. I agree with you croc [/not]They have nipped that in the bud by providing sh*t. Therefore the mindset has changed, it used to be Documentation (in the form of PDF) was expected for years, now we don't expect it at all. They have the PDF on their servers, it's not like I'm asking them to spend money. Just give me my whopper! :lol: :lol:

Edit: I do appreciate your confusion though.

 

[croc]

VZW does have a different model KRZR K1M with the same model number. With custom everything, including super lockdowns. Verizon's attitude is pay me. They did give me a manual with the phone, although I didn't get Moto Phone tools which apparently comes with the phone, assuming you have a different carrier. I want a copy of a manual in PDF format. Wait... Wait they did furnish me with a manual, little tiny not 8X11 manual. I want a PDF, now and several years into the future. I agree with you croc [/not]They have nipped that in the bud by providing sh*t. Therefore the mindset has changed, it used to be Documentation (in the form of PDF) was expected for years, now we don't expect it at all. They have the PDF on their servers, it's not like I'm asking them to spend money. Just give me my whopper! :lol: :lol:

Edit: I do appreciate your confusion though.

So you can't just go out and buy, say, a Nokia N series, then get a pre-paid sim on the provider of your choice?

We're going 'way off topic here, maybe we should start a different thread.

 

[Zorg]

VZW does have a different model KRZR K1M with the same model number. With custom everything, including super lockdowns. Verizon's attitude is pay me. They did give me a manual with the phone, although I didn't get Moto Phone tools which apparently comes with the phone, assuming you have a different carrier. I want a copy of a manual in PDF format. Wait... Wait they did furnish me with a manual, little tiny not 8X11 manual. I want a PDF, now and several years into the future. I agree with you croc [/not]They have nipped that in the bud by providing sh*t. Therefore the mindset has changed, it used to be Documentation (in the form of PDF) was expected for years, now we don't expect it at all. They have the PDF on their servers, it's not like I'm asking them to spend money. Just give me my whopper! :lol: :lol:

Edit: I do appreciate your confusion though.

So you can't just go out and buy, say, a Nokia N series, then get a pre-paid sim on the provider of your choice?

We're going 'way off topic here, maybe we should start a different thread.

That's a non responsive reply. What are you talking about? What does Nokia have to do with what I posted?

Edited to be more constructive: What I was trying to show was that APC is keeping the critical info to themselves and their dealers, I suspect in an effort to support/protect their dealers. That is actually a good thing, although aggravating. And that many other companies do the same thing, the most egregious IMO is Verizon Wireless. They won't even provide a manual on PDF. The Pay as you go Nokia? WTF? We are off topic but the OPs question was answered already.