Using UPS as surge protector only

[Kisianik]

Hi
I recently got new PC and about to buy surge protector like APC P8VT3, which is surgearrest (suppose to burn first and not pass surge to components) unit, however I have left over old UPS APC Back-UPS XS 900, which is rated at Output Power Capacity 540 Watts / 900 VA, my PC PSU is 850 watt.
Can I use XS 900 as surge protector only, since it is well below the wattage of my PC?
XS 900 never got any power outages in its life, so should be in OK condition.
Any suggestions?

 

[Kisianik]

The UPS you list has a surge protection only output anyway by the looks of it.

Here you are incorrect - my UPS has 6 battery backed up power sockets and 2 "surge only" power sockets.

Regarding APC as a brand, I just wasted 3 hours searching for surge protector, which will "protect" from power surges only, P8VT3 seems to be a good box according to Amazon reviews, most of others have reported damge passed to equipment, including APC more expensive models as well.

Simply, today I learn that surge protection or suppression is not good as it seems, but a protector, which fries first and not passing current to PC is the best solution from the cheap ones - P8VT3 and P8T3 (minus a few connectors) are reported by users to die first.
So if $20-30 box dies and protects $3K PC - I would go for it.

I am just wondering if my old APC UPS can act as suppression of strong current jumps, I might connect P8VT3 or P8T3 directly to it, creating protective chain. Full UPS for my PC will cost me at least $200 and I don't have this $$ now.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Edit. This is the picture of my UPS from behind

 

[Solandri]

You're going to have to look up the specs on your old UPS. Just because it's a UPS doesn't automatically mean it provides surge protection. The UPS part is basically a circuit which kicks in to provide power within a few milliseconds of detecting a power loss. It doesn't have to be paired with a surge protector (though I suspect it probably does) or voltage regulator (really old APCs didn't do regulation).
http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/power-conditioner-voltage-regulator-ups-differences-explained/

Incidentally, if your UPS doesn't work as a UPS anymore, open it up. The batteries are usually standard 12V gel cells which have died after years of being constantly topped off. Replacements can be bought for about $15 each. Just make sure the voltage and capacity matches.

 

[Kisianik]

You're going to have to look up the specs on your old UPS. Just because it's a UPS doesn't automatically mean it provides surge protection. The UPS part is basically a circuit which kicks in to provide power within a few milliseconds of detecting a power loss. It doesn't have to be paired with a surge protector (though I suspect it probably does) or voltage regulator (really old APCs didn't do regulation).
http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/power-conditioner-voltage-regulator-ups-differences-explained/

Incidentally, if your UPS doesn't work as a UPS anymore, open it up. The batteries are usually standard 12V gel cells which have died after years of being constantly topped off. Replacements can be bought for about $15 each. Just make sure the voltage and capacity matches.

Thanks for reply. However, my original question was a bit different from your answer. I am not intend to use that UPS as regular UPS, it is too weak for my power supply and it was designed for WinXP and now I have Win 8.1.
In my area I have mostly power spikes, like lights blinking, maybe once in 20 years power went completely dark for long time. So, basically, I looking for reducing circuit pressure on my new PSU due to current surges, this is it.

Was wondering, if I connect 850 watt PC into battery backup 540 watt, without any software, would it provide power for a split second during spike, or 540 watt requirement would not allow my 850 watt PC to function or even damage it?
This is more correct explanation of my current situation.

Please advise.
Thanks in advance.

 

[westom]

However, my original question was a bit different from your answer. I am not intend to use that UPS as regular UPS, it is too weak for my power supply and it was designed for WinXP and now I have Win 8.1.
In my area I have mostly power spikes, like lights blinking, maybe once in 20 years power went completely dark for long time. So, basically, I looking for reducing circuit pressure on my new PSU due to current surges, this is it.

You are worrying about things bogus even from concepts taught in elementary school science. For example, blinking light means voltage dropping near to or at zero. How is low voltage a 1000 volt spike? It is not.

If your computer is consuming anywhere near to 800 watts, then you are also using it to toast bread. Due to so many computer techs without basic electrical knowledge, it is just easier to tell these computer assemblers to buy a supply more than twice what a computer actually consumes. Computers typically consume about 200 watts.

Read spec numbers on that UPS. How many joules does it claim to absorb? Near zero. What happens to its hundreds of joules when a typically destructive surge occurs - hundreds of thousands of joules? How many forgot to ask that damning question? That UPS only claims to protect from a type of surge (near zero) already made irrelevant by what is routinely found inside all appliances.

Meanwhile, a UPS can be a biggest source of spikes. Power so 'dirty' that companies such as APC recommend not powering motorized appliances from it. That same 'dirty' power that might be harmful to a motorized appliance is also ideal perfect for all electronics. Due to more robust protection routinely found in electronics. Did they forget to mention that? Hearsay exists when so many do not learn that all appliances are already robust.

Operating system is completely irrelevant to UPS operation. Since that UPS is for any electronics - not just computers.

Use a meter to measure protection on 'Surge only' sockets. Discover the only thing between each receptacle and mating AC power plug prongs is wire. Where is this protection between AC mains and those surge outlets? Well, they really did not claim protection from destructive surges. Read spec numbers. Or just tie a knot in the power cord. A knot is also surge protection. Any claim made without numbers is legal - no matter how bogus the lie.

Why are some protectors so grossly undersized? If it fails on a surge too tiny to overwhelm protection in all household appliances, then the naive will recommend that grossly undersized protector and buy more. A surge too tiny to harm appliances also destroys grossly undersized protectors. Undersizing gets the naive to recommend and buy more while also increasing manufacturer profit margins - less protector parts.

Learn about a completely different device, also called a surge protector, that is necessary to protect all appliances - including that UPS.

View numbers from my 120 volt sine wave UPS. In battery backup mode, it outputs 200 volt square waves with spikes up to 270 volts. Square waves and spikes are nothing more than a sum of pure sine waves. They did not lie. You learned this in high school math. They hope you listen to hearsay rather than learn numbers that describe electricity and protection. Not only is that UPS near zero protection (just enough above zero so they can call it 100% surge protection). But your computer's power supply is about three times larger than what the computer needs. Also oversized due to so many who recommend only from myths they once heard.

 

[westom]

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