UPS and power spikes

E

envo

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I've had several power spikes at home (Thanks City of JHB!) that makes my UPS beep a constant beep and switches off the hardware. I suspect the spike was big enough for it to just switch off power to the equipment just in case, but that's entirely not what I got a UPS for.

If I get one of those surge protection multiplugs, would that help? Or should I get a bigger UPS and hope for the best?
 
envo said:
I've had several power spikes at home (Thanks City of JHB!) that makes my UPS beep a constant beep and switches off the hardware
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Does the UPS behave normally when you turn off the power at the wall?
 
envo said:
I suspect the spike was big enough for it to just switch off power to the equipment just in case, but that's entirely not what I got a UPS for.
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That is not normal behaviour.

Overloaded UPS, faulty UPS, or dead batteries.
 
MickZA said:
Does the UPS behave normally when you turn off the power at the wall?
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yup. there have been a few power cuts where I could successfully power down properly and turn the UPS off. These power spikes seems as if it disrupts the switchover to battery and turns off.

maybe it is faulty. guess I'll go buy a new one. any suggestions?
 
Seems faulty, if the power goes wonky it should switch to battery until it stablises and then click back to mains. Surge plug doesn't smooth out the surges, will just disconnect if the spike is big enough
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
Seems faulty, if the power goes wonky it should switch to battery until it stablises and then click back to mains. Surge plug doesn't smooth out the surges, will just disconnect if the spike is big enough
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I think I'll get a surge plug in any case to help. If it disconnects before the UPS the UPS doesn't have a chance to blow a gasket as well.

Looking for a decent one with proper features where it powers itself down when the batteries get low and does the same for your PC.
 
I can recommend a Mecer online UPS, I have a 1000 VA, I forgot the exact model now so will have to go check. It's also available in 2000, 3000 and I think up to 4000 VA. It has 2 sets of power sockets, crytical and non crytical, you decide what to plug in where and you can set the shut off point for each to protect the batteries from running too low.
 
bigboy529 said:
I can recommend a Mecer online UPS, I have a 1000 VA, I forgot the exact model now so will have to go check. It's also available in 2000, 3000 and I think up to 4000 VA. It has 2 sets of power sockets, crytical and non crytical, you decide what to plug in where and you can set the shut off point for each to protect the batteries from running too low.
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what did you pay for it? and where?
 
It won't be a double conversion UPS and probably not with AVR. It is probably a cheaper brand that just does backup power when power fails, but doesn't clean the power.

Buy this and plug it in before your UPS.

https://m.takealot.com/#product?id=PLID34180518
 
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Wasabee! said:
It won't be a double conversion UPS and probably not with AVR. It is probably a cheaper brand that just does backup power when power fails, but doesn't clean the power.
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This,not all UPS' are equal

Cheapie box can handle some surging and power failure but does not entirely isolate the system
Double Conversion Online UPS would isolate and take the hits,but they can be loud
 
which ones are double conversion online UPS?

Brand? price?
 
Surge plugs aren't intended really for these types of spikes. It certainly won't prevent this issue. Surge plugs use MOVs. 99% of UPS already have MOVs in them already.

Does sound like the UPS is faulty.

Any UPS that has a transformer (or double conversion) will provide the best protection against this, AVR or not. Power spikes don't translate well over transformers (which is why they are required as a safety mechanism for things like cellphone chargers and etc).

At least the UPS is protecting your equipment by switching off.

RCT UPS would be much better for you. They provide both isolation and AVR functionality. I believe some of the Mecer UPS make use of the same internals. But Mecer has sold some dodge stuff back in the day.
 
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