UPS and surge protectors
- Thread starter memory
- Start date
Calibretto
VIP Member
IMO, surge protectors don't really protect against lightning damage. They're merely just there for insurance. So if whatever was plugged into the surge protector that gets toasted will be covered by the surge protector company's warranty. That's why it's important to buy a surge protector that has a lifetime warranty and up to $300,000 in damage coverage (at least a high number. That's what mine is).
tremmor
Well-Known Member
there is damage coverage for the computer. Forgot how much though. Then again a lightening bolt hitting would be catastrophic, that would be thousands of volts. would not be good. I do not loose power often, except for a main junction transformer because of failure and sometime maintenance.
gotta love underground cables though. there is no exposed lines in the air or poles. its good for that.
gotta love underground cables though. there is no exposed lines in the air or poles. its good for that.
bomberboysk
Active Member
Almost every surge suppressor i have come across only has protected equipment coverage for non direct lightning strikes. Surge suppressors are NOT intended to protect against a direct strike.
tremmor
Well-Known Member
I agree........won't get no argument from me. It will wipe everything. I was a high voltage electrician by trade and planner. Even today if lightening i have knocked out some breakers in the house. Fridge, unplugged computers, tv's and etc. i do get into a panic mode if i see lightening strike outside.
that does not happen often.
that does not happen often.
FlaBill1957
New Member
UPS and a Surge Protector. Double the protection? Nope!
I know I am replying to a thread that is a couple of years old, but I just joined today and read it and maybe someone else out there will come across it soon too, and get something out of my humble opinion...
I have a UPS, an APC XS 1300 and an APC surge protector, 11 outlets, with cable, phone and data lines in. My UPS is plugged into the house current , the only thing on that line. Into the UPS I have the surge protector plugged into one of the 'surge and back-up battery' plugs. This way, the surge protector has the UPS powering it and giving me about 14 minutes of power before I lose it altogether. This is great for all of the unexpected power loses that we have, probably from maintenance or a fallen branch or something similar. Bang! The power goes off and I can sit here calmly finishing up whatever I'm working on, with plenty of time to save and shut down, if I have to. With just the computer and monitor plugged in, I have about 90 minutes to keep working/playing. That's plenty of time to finish up whatever game I'm in the middle of. Most times, the power is restored before the UPS reaches the 'Low Battery' warning. Did I do this for the added protection of 'two lines of defense'? Not at all! It is strictly for my own convenience. Let me explain:
I live in Florida, where lightening is a common, almost daily occurrence. When a storm is predicted, or if I see lightening or hear thunder, I quickly save my work, shut down the computer and reach over about two feet from my seat and pull the one line going from the UPS to the surge protector. This way, nothing (electrical wise) can get to my equipment. On the surge protector I have my computer, monitor, sound system, cable modem and the wireless router all plugged into the 'protected plugs. In the other plugs I have my desk light, a small fan and a 'USB power module' for charging various things like my cell phone and my mouse and keyboard, both of which are wireless and need occasional charging.
To sum it up, I agree with what was said before, in another, similar thread: The only real, fail-safe protection is a separation of your equipment from the power source. Lightening is so powerful that it will crisp everything it runs by, seeking it's way to an earth ground. If lightening is in the area, I pull the plug. Simple as that.
It may seem to be a pain to some, but going without my computer for twenty minutes while the storm passes away is well worth the inconvenience, believe me! I had a friend up in Philadelphia years ago who was a telephone repairman. He was working in an attic, hooked up to the regular phone line, with that 'phone looking' thing they carry on their work belts, when there was a lightening strike in the neighborhood. Not even close to where he was. But it hit a phone line, traveled in every direction (again, looking for an earth ground) came into the house he was working in and the lightening still had enough power left to literally go in one ear and out the other. He was thrown about 20 feet away from where he was standing. After a long hospital stay, and years later, he's still not right. He has trouble speaking some words, has trouble remembering things, can't grasp things reliably with his right hand (the one holding the phone to his ear) and walks with what I call, 'A list to starboard'. I think that if someone was not there to correct him, he'd just walk in a circle!! LOL I make some fun out of this story, but there was nothing funny at all when it happened. Now, if he sees or hears a storm, even on TV, he begins to panic. And I don't blame him a bit!!
Now, I did this set-up my way just for convenience; I could pull the power line going into the UPS, but I'd have to climb behind some furniture to get to it. Reaching over and pulling one plug is so much easier. The UPS is invaluable when it comes to simple power outages, and the surge protector gives me that many more plugs to use, and I didn't even mention the $300,000 warrrenty for damages that came with the surge protector, but not for direct lightening strikes. That is more for the 'brown outs' and sudden power losses that can also damage the computer and other electronics. The UPS is covered from direct lightening strikes with a $1,000,000 limit. So all-in-all, I feel pretty safe.
But it is up to you...You can take your chances and rely on a $30 surge protector to protect your stuff, or do as most savvy electricians do: completely disconnect the important stuff from the power lines. It's the ONLY way to be sure you are safe!!
I know I am replying to a thread that is a couple of years old, but I just joined today and read it and maybe someone else out there will come across it soon too, and get something out of my humble opinion...
I have a UPS, an APC XS 1300 and an APC surge protector, 11 outlets, with cable, phone and data lines in. My UPS is plugged into the house current , the only thing on that line. Into the UPS I have the surge protector plugged into one of the 'surge and back-up battery' plugs. This way, the surge protector has the UPS powering it and giving me about 14 minutes of power before I lose it altogether. This is great for all of the unexpected power loses that we have, probably from maintenance or a fallen branch or something similar. Bang! The power goes off and I can sit here calmly finishing up whatever I'm working on, with plenty of time to save and shut down, if I have to. With just the computer and monitor plugged in, I have about 90 minutes to keep working/playing. That's plenty of time to finish up whatever game I'm in the middle of. Most times, the power is restored before the UPS reaches the 'Low Battery' warning. Did I do this for the added protection of 'two lines of defense'? Not at all! It is strictly for my own convenience. Let me explain:
I live in Florida, where lightening is a common, almost daily occurrence. When a storm is predicted, or if I see lightening or hear thunder, I quickly save my work, shut down the computer and reach over about two feet from my seat and pull the one line going from the UPS to the surge protector. This way, nothing (electrical wise) can get to my equipment. On the surge protector I have my computer, monitor, sound system, cable modem and the wireless router all plugged into the 'protected plugs. In the other plugs I have my desk light, a small fan and a 'USB power module' for charging various things like my cell phone and my mouse and keyboard, both of which are wireless and need occasional charging.
To sum it up, I agree with what was said before, in another, similar thread: The only real, fail-safe protection is a separation of your equipment from the power source. Lightening is so powerful that it will crisp everything it runs by, seeking it's way to an earth ground. If lightening is in the area, I pull the plug. Simple as that.
It may seem to be a pain to some, but going without my computer for twenty minutes while the storm passes away is well worth the inconvenience, believe me! I had a friend up in Philadelphia years ago who was a telephone repairman. He was working in an attic, hooked up to the regular phone line, with that 'phone looking' thing they carry on their work belts, when there was a lightening strike in the neighborhood. Not even close to where he was. But it hit a phone line, traveled in every direction (again, looking for an earth ground) came into the house he was working in and the lightening still had enough power left to literally go in one ear and out the other. He was thrown about 20 feet away from where he was standing. After a long hospital stay, and years later, he's still not right. He has trouble speaking some words, has trouble remembering things, can't grasp things reliably with his right hand (the one holding the phone to his ear) and walks with what I call, 'A list to starboard'. I think that if someone was not there to correct him, he'd just walk in a circle!! LOL I make some fun out of this story, but there was nothing funny at all when it happened. Now, if he sees or hears a storm, even on TV, he begins to panic. And I don't blame him a bit!!
Now, I did this set-up my way just for convenience; I could pull the power line going into the UPS, but I'd have to climb behind some furniture to get to it. Reaching over and pulling one plug is so much easier. The UPS is invaluable when it comes to simple power outages, and the surge protector gives me that many more plugs to use, and I didn't even mention the $300,000 warrrenty for damages that came with the surge protector, but not for direct lightening strikes. That is more for the 'brown outs' and sudden power losses that can also damage the computer and other electronics. The UPS is covered from direct lightening strikes with a $1,000,000 limit. So all-in-all, I feel pretty safe.
But it is up to you...You can take your chances and rely on a $30 surge protector to protect your stuff, or do as most savvy electricians do: completely disconnect the important stuff from the power lines. It's the ONLY way to be sure you are safe!!