UPS - uninterruptible power supply
 

I'm looking to purchase an UPS. I saw this one got good ratings on Newegg, but I wanted to get feedback from you guys first. What should I know before I purchase an UPS? What do you recommend I purchase?

For reference, I'll be using it with the following hardware:
- iMac 24-inch: 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 4GB RAM
- external HD

Additionally (battery backup probably not needed):
- Logitech Z-5500 5.1 sound system
- a couple of laptops

Looks good, though I only have experience with APC models. From experience, the most unexpected thing after purchase is the power cord needed to connect my devices to it. More often than not, I had to go out and buy a few extra cables.

Thanks for the input. I'm buying it now. Hopefully it works as well as the reviews claim.

Wait what?

The wattage rating for that one is a bit on the low side, but it might be enough. The general rule for UPS backups for mission critical servers is to use a power requirements calculator like this one and then times that number by 2/3rds and total it up for the suggested 'safe' wattage you would need for a UPS, but this is probably not a mission critical deployment but I still use this formula for personal UPS installs. Personally the lowest wattage UPS I have ever installed for a workstation was rated for 1100 watts.

In my experience anything from APC or Belkin is fine. One very important consideration people often fail to make is to look at the outlet configuration of the UPS and make sure it gives you room for any transformers you may be plugging into it.

Good info. My neighbor was recently selling two old models from the early to mid 90's but for very cheap prices. Do you see a potential danger in using a dated, used UPS?

Very much, especially one that old. UPS backups use chemical batteries and they don't last very long. UPS backups start loosing their charge capacity after around 5 years. I'd be impressed if that UPS was still even functioning well if at all.

On this note another important rule with UPS backups that I didn't mention is to never put some kind of outlet expander (surge protector for example) on one of the UPS outlets as this will actually create an abnormal draw on the circuit which greatly reduces the battery life of a UPS. One outlet = one device.

Simply put, if your old UPS looks like this:
http://www.apcmedia.com/resource/ima...F003395_pr.jpg

And you buy a new UPS that looks like this:
http://eu.cyberpowersystems.com/prod...k_up_photo.jpg

Then you're going to have to buy a lot of converters.

And if you got x-box sized power adapters for some devices, you'll have to buy lots of these too:
http://www.qvs.com/images/ppadpt.JPG

I got my UPS the other day and it's hooked up and running currently. It seems to have a lot of plugs on the back and its battery ports are supporting my computer and external hard drive with no problems. So far so good.

Now I need a storm to come along and knock out the power so I can test the battery's abilities. =P

Eh, why don't you just go and unplug the UPS for lols and giggles? :p

Or just kill your power with the circuit breaker.

Or push the test button.

Good idea. I tried it and my computer stayed on like nothing happened. Amazing. I kept it out for maybe 30 seconds and it emitted the warning beeps during that time, as it should. The display actually said it would support my current load for 50 min, which sounds impressive to me. Plugged it back in and all is well.