UPS turned off still functioning

[Dealrogers]

Hello. I have a rather cheap UPS, on which I have the PC connected to the battery side, and the TV, PS3 and speakers to the other side, which I believe gives normal protection like a voltage regulator.

The issue here is that, I tend to turn my UPS every night, and just recently I realized that both the TV and PS3 are still functioning in stand by, even with the UPS off. The PC doesn't turn on like that, it needs the UPS on.

I'm particulary worried if my TV (which was expensive) is protected against voltage variations with the UPS off (TV functions normally).

And is it ok to turn the UPS off every night? Or am I doing it wrong?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[vortical]

The UPS may be turned of, and simply letting power through, while not storing energy or being available to provide power if an outage should happen, this also likely means it wont be conditioning the inputs.

If fully charged a UPS itself shouldn't draw much power simply stabilizing variations. You should need to turn it off.

 

[Dealrogers]

Thanks for your answer. So if it is off is it protecting against voltage changes? And would you recommend leaving it on or I'm good turning it off every night?

 

[vortical]

Thanks for your answer. So if it is off is it protecting against voltage changes? And would you recommend leaving it on or I'm good turning it off every night?

It will not be protecting you when off. I personally would keep it on since it doesn't use much power and I'm to lazy to flip a switch every night, but it probably isn't necessary to keep it on, since with all your devices turned off at night (I assume) this wont matter much since they are using little to no electricity anyway, and even moderate surges to a device that's turned off shouldn't hurt it. If you are worried about more serious surges such as lightning strikes etc. a cheap surge protector will do just fine.

 

[westom]

So if it is off is it protecting against voltage changes?

Normal voltage for the TV is even when voltage drops so low that incandescent bulbs dim to 50% intensity. How often is your voltage dropping that low? Never?

Meanwhile, 'dirtiest' power seen by electronics is often from a UPS. This sine wave 120 volt UPS outputs 200 volt square waves with spikes up to 270 volts. That is also sufficient good voltage for all TVs. Because best AVR (voltage regulator) is already inside the TV.

AC mains voltage is increased by a TV to well over 300 volts. Then converted to radio frequency spikes. Those many hundred volt spikes are then converted to rock solid DC voltages such as 3, 5, or 12. Why? Best voltage regulation is already inside a TV. TVs are so robust as to make major voltage variation irrelevant. Even best filters convert those 300+ volt spikes to low voltage and rock stable DC voltages.

Voltages so low as to be harmful to the refrigerator and dishwasher are ideal voltages to TVs. If worries about voltage variations, then put protection on the air conditioner and furnace. Voltage variations can be more harmful to those appliances.