UPS

[werfie]

TL;DR:

I want to run my TV (new LED smart TV) from my generator during loadshedding.
If i plug this into the generator and the TV into this, is it safe and will it prevent my tv from breaking?
http://www.takealot.com/rct-650va-line-interactive-ups/PLID32714409

A little more:
I run all sorts of other things from the generator too, but have come into the habit of switching off everything that can cause a dip/spike in the power output, i.e. when I start the generator, all lights and so required is on and I switch my fridges etc off. So the power coming into the house is pretty constant, but much more than what Eskom provides. When I run on the generator, all my lights are bright as hell, until the power comes on, then (like the rest of the country), everything is a bit dim.

So I just want to make sure that too little or too much or inconsistent power doesn't break my TV.

 

[mmacleod]

It depends also on the generator, i.e. what sine wave is the generator outputting and how clean is it?
However i'm not sure a "line interactive" UPS will clean the the sine wave sufficiently if the generator is outputting square wave, especially if there is noise in it, an "online UPS" can usually handle this sufficiently but those cost much more.

It isn't so much the highs and lows in the voltage (though that is another issue) but the waveform (http://www.ramsond.com/content/products/Generators/common/Pure-Sine-Wave-Graph-Advantage.gif) that breaks electronics. Square wave with lots of noise in it is fine for things like power tools which is what most cheap generators are designed for, not so great for electronics...

 

[johnr86]

TL;DR:

I want to run my TV (new LED smart TV) from my generator during loadshedding.
If i plug this into the generator and the TV into this, is it safe and will it prevent my tv from breaking?
http://www.takealot.com/rct-650va-line-interactive-ups/PLID32714409

A little more:
I run all sorts of other things from the generator too, but have come into the habit of switching off everything that can cause a dip/spike in the power output, i.e. when I start the generator, all lights and so required is on and I switch my fridges etc off. So the power coming into the house is pretty constant, but much more than what Eskom provides. When I run on the generator, all my lights are bright as hell, until the power comes on, then (like the rest of the country), everything is a bit dim.

So I just want to make sure that too little or too much or inconsistent power doesn't break my TV.

You need to see what sinewave the generator is putting out. You want a pure sinewave output for electronics where possible.

Modified sinewave is "OK" but don't try charge a UPS with this as most of them don't like it. Could lead to failure and fire.

 

[johnr86]

It depends also on the generator, i.e. what sine wave is the generator outputting and how clean is it?
However i'm not sure a "line interactive" UPS will clean the the sine wave sufficiently if the generator is outputting square wave, especially if there is noise in it, an "online UPS" can usually handle this sufficiently but those cost much more.

It isn't so much the highs and lows in the voltage (though that is another issue) but the waveform (http://www.ramsond.com/content/products/Generators/common/Pure-Sine-Wave-Graph-Advantage.gif) that breaks electronics. Square wave with lots of noise in it is fine for things like power tools which is what most cheap generators are designed for, not so great for electronics...

UPS's also have sinewave characteristics on the specifications as generators do. Don't assume they output Pure sinewave, most don't.

 

[ProAsm]

I wonder when last someone actually looked at Eskom with a Oscilloscope ?
Looking at my Generator, my Inverter and Eskom there is much to be desired.
My Generator wins hands down, Eskom come in second only just beating my Modified Sinewave Inverter