UPS Question.

Scooby_Doo

Scooby_Doo

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Ok so i got a new viesonic LCD 19" screen + logitech z5500 + xfi sound card and was thinking if i had a power surge and it all went poof i would cry... so what are the chances a power surge could blow everything and is it possible to have a ups or something similar that will connect between the wall socket and my multiplug adapter to protect everything?
 
It should minimise potential damage. You must remember that damage from power surges caused by Eskom is claimable from them. They gurantee minimum and maximum voltage and frequencies. You likelyneed protection from lightning in which case there are lightning protector plugs that can also minimise risk.

None of this equipment is a 100% guarantee that your stuff will not get fried though.
 
I have a 17" LCD monitor and pc are running off my 1kVA UPS. I get 30min running time without any problems. With the recent CT outages, 2 of my machines were damaged. Those 2 were not on the UPS
 
hmmm.... don't really need to worry about extra power to turn off my computer (i'm KZN no power outages so far :D) so lightning protecter should be a good investment... any clues on price ranges?
 
UPS is a must, although there is no 100% guarantee, it is fairly safe. Most people look at the UPS just a protector, but it isn't only that. With UPS you will NEVER have your PC power off unexpectedly with the hard drive heads dangling on the hard drive surface ... most corruptions of your data occur during such unexpected switch offs either because of the hard drive or because of the memory loosing power ... Other benefits are that you won't lose whatever you are working on, and the short power cuts won't be a pain ...
 
Use this site to figure out what size UPS you need:
www.apcc.com/sizing/

A UPS is a good investment to protect your PC. Obviously if lightning strikes very close, the UPS might not be enough to protect everything. A basic lightning protector is even less protection than a UPS. And as others say, lighting is just one of many concerns that can damage your PC.
 
Also, bear in mind that most UPSes (except the very expensive ones) only cut in during a dip or surge, rather than supplying your PC directly, so if the UPS is not quite fast enough, it may not be able to save your PC from a lightning strike.
 
I've been lucky. Got struck twice recently. My UPS's have protected my equipment quite well, although one of the UPS's circuits are damaged (doesn't pick up that A/C power is connected) - and non-UPS protected equipment got fried. :(
 
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