Gaming World Forums
General Category => Technology and Programming => Topic started by: Ragnar on August 23, 2009, 05:01:47 pm
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ok, I got a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for 5 bucks, I was probably going to sell it but I was wondering about something. I understand it works like a surge protector that stays on even if an electrical problem does happen, but are they usually like a /really good/ surge protector on top of that? Because I'm interested in emi filtering and all that stuff, it seems like the sound is coming in better but even the screen too. I'm going to keep it if there's no catch like 'if you use it this way it'll leak battery acid all over you' I dunno. Main thing I'm interested in is if they're usually the best surge protectors anyway because they're intended for more serious business stuff or if there's just as good or better stuff as far as regular surge protectors go. Like I saw they have ones intended for home theater and flatscreen TVs now, are those better maybe? It's just this one has all sorts of stuff about VOLTAGE REGULATION so it sounds pretty heavy-duty
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it'll cut out line noise (fluctuations in voltage) so i guess it'd cut down on emi as well. depending on the type of UPS you have, it should offer surge protection if only at the cost of it's own life. also watch out for your next power bill.
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UPSes are always a step up from a simple power surge protector. There's no real downside to using them, and they are quite safe to use.
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I wouldn't UPS my computer because it's pretty likely to get broken in transit
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ok, I got a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for 5 bucks, I was probably going to sell it but I was wondering about something. I understand it works like a surge protector that stays on even if an electrical problem does happen, but are they usually like a /really good/ surge protector on top of that?
If the protection is so good, then quote manufacturer spec numbers that list each type of surge and protection from those surges. You cannot. No plug-in UPS claims that protection - even though popular urban myths say otherwise.
What would that UPS do? Does a little 2 centimeter component stop what three miles of sky could not? Or course not. Do its few hundred joules absorb surges that are hundreds of thousands of joules? Others will say yes only because they ignored or never read the numbers. Hearsay converted into fact.
It can claim surge protection, subjectively, in a sales brochure. That few hundred joules is near zero protection. But more than enough for the naive to wish it is a surge protector.
How does that UPS operate? Typically connects AC mains directly to the computer when not in battery backup mode. Where is the protection? What stops surges?
If its battery was good, a typical 120 volt output in battery backup mode might be two 200 volt square waves with a spike of up to 270 volts between those square waves. How many just assumed clean power - did not bother to view this output on an oscilloscope? That 200 volt square wave is also called a modified sine wave. To the naive, then it must be cleaner power? That power is typically so ‘dirty’ as to be harmful to small electric motors and power strip protectors.
But computers are required to be some of the most robust devices in a house. That same 'dirty' UPS power is completely harmless to all computers - because computers are so robust. Because computers already contain significant protection.
So that the rare and destructive surge does not overwhelm a computer - or anything else - we earth one 'whole house' protector. Protector that costs about $1 per protected appliance. A surge that is earthed does not go hunting for earth ground destructively via household appliances. Surges are either harmlessly earthed. Or that surge finds earth destructively inside a house. Your choice. Believe popular urban myths. Or do what has been routine for over 100 years.
But again, where is that manufacturer spec that claims surge protection? Where are those numbers? Do not exist. Why? A short (ie ‘less than 10 foot’) connection to earth defines a protector. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground.