UPS Qusetions

[watercooled]

You might remember I posted a thread a while back saying I was going to buy a UPS. Well, I've not got round to it yet and a brownout 2 days ago reminded me
I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for an APC smart-UPS. However, this model has IEC/kettle lead plugs, not the 'normal' kind and since some of the equipment I would want to connect can't use these connectors are there any converters out there (IEC to BS 1363) so I could plug an extension lead in, for example?
Also can anyone recommend where to buy one from? I'm thinking Scan but if anyone has experience buying them...
Thanks!

[moogle]

Also can anyone recommend where to buy one from?

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?page=1&...at=1896&mfr=78

They've got quite a wide range of the APC Smart-UPS

[watercooled]

Also I've just been reading the specs on the 750VA Smart-UPS and it says noise levels are around 55dba! Are they really that loud? I don't mind if the fan just kicks in when running on battery power for example.

[smargh]

Eh? I have an APC Smart-UPS 750i (part# SUA750I), bought 2 years ago - it does not have any fans.

Were you looking at a rackmount version or something?

[watercooled]

No, I was looking at that exact model - link look under environmental specs. Maybe they put that on by mistake. Glad it has no fans anyway, I will be sitting about 1m from it

BTW, I was referring to using something like this so I could attach a power strip with 'normal' sockets. Is this OK?

[peterb]

Yoiu can get IEC 320 (C13) free plugs which you can connect to adaptors yourself, and you can also get IEC 320 (C13) plug/socket extension leads so you can plug the computer directly into the UPS.

A Google search on IEC 320 plugs brought up loads of info, including this...

http://www.powerconnections.co.uk/re...connectors.htm

or this...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1360

and a wider range of connectors you may find useful...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?.....&menul1=1620

and this

http://www.powercords.co.uk/iec320.htm - some general info (very slow site though!)

[watercooled]

Thanks for the links. I'll call into Maplin and pick up one of those IEC 320 plugs and wire it to a spare power strip so I can have things like my modem + router connected.

[Splash]

You might remember I posted a thread a while back saying I was going to buy a UPS. Well, I've not got round to it yet and a brownout 2 days ago reminded me
I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for an APC smart-UPS. However, this model has IEC/kettle lead plugs, not the 'normal' kind and since some of the equipment I would want to connect can't use these connectors are there any converters out there (IEC to BS 1363) so I could plug an extension lead in, for example?
Also can anyone recommend where to buy one from? I'm thinking Scan but if anyone has experience buying them...
Thanks!

You can actually buy direct from APC if you like, and they offer a pretty extensive range of accessories including (unless I'm much mistaken) something that will do exactly what you ask.

[watercooled]

I'll have a look at their own shop - thanks.
I have one last question - I've stumbled across a few forums on the net with people saying its a very bad idea to use any surge protectors upstream/downstream of the UPS for various reasons and then people replying saying it's rubbish. One of the reasons was:

A UPS uses extremely sensitive electrical components, which monitor incommin power and provide battery backup when necessary. Plugging a UPS into a surge protector will cause the UPS to receive pre-filtered power and will also cause MOV’s used in both a UPS and Surge protector to be in series, as ciscussed above this will cause the MOV’s to malfunction.

Sounds like rubbish to be - the MOVs wouldn't be in series for a start but I want to be sure. I was planning to put my current surge protector upstream of the UPS so the MOVs on the UPS last longer (the surge protector is much cheaper to replace). Is there anything wrong with this?

And thanks again for the help everyone!

[peterb]

That does sound like rubbish to me! Hpowever I'm not a huge fan of those passive surge protectors, as there is rarely any method of monitoring their effectiveness, and they only have a limited life - they degrade as they absorb the oversurge energy - but it isn't eady to determine when that is.

As for the UPS - there are different technologies,

This link explains them

http://www.datapowerprotection.co.uk...explained.html

Most supplied for SOHO use are line-interactive (as is the one you linked to).

[watercooled]

Yeah I was just thinking I'd rather the MOVs on a cheap(ish) surge protector burn out than the MOVs in a ~£180 UPS. The one I have now is a fairly common Masterplug Surgeguard with the Surge protection active indicator.

[smargh]

If APC says not to use a surge protector, don't use a surge protector. I would rather trust APC than a High Street "surge protector" which costs $1 to make. I remember reading something about dramatic cascading failures when surge protectors are used.

Proper surge protectors cost quite a lot - Furse is a well-regarded brand, and a 'transient voltage protector' costs £78 from RS:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=4568140 (there are different amp ratings)

I have a Furse 'phone line protector which is very well made.

[watercooled]

I don't remember APC saying not to use another surge protector. But I'll probably not bother with one just to be sure.

[peterb]

I've just had a look round google and I haven't found any authoratitive or verifiable technical explanation why you shouldn't use 2, however, as I said, the cheap power strip ones aren't (IMHO) worth it - as smargh says, professional grade protectors are not cheap - so if you buy a cheap one - something gives, and that will be reliability/quality/performance.

[watercooled]

Just set up my UPS and it's been running for a good few hours. I just wanted to check a few things are normal: Firstly, there is a distinctive smell coming from the unit - I can only describe it as an electronic smell or kind of a burning smell but not very strong. Also there is a noticeable buzz/transformer buzz as well as a cycling/pulsing buzz when on battery power. If it is (or was) the same on your units then that's fine - I just want to be sure my unit is OK.

[GoNz0]

the smell is normal, so its the buzzing as its charging the battery packs. and the clicking will be the relays on battery power. i hope you left it to charge for the time stated in the instructions or you just took up to 20% off the battery life.