Tip #3979 - Choosing a UPS
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Choosing
a UPS
Imagine this: Your
expensive computer and all the important data you have on it could be
rendered useless due to power surges, spikes and burnouts. Which is why
it’s best to have a UPS
and a voltage stabilizer that is designed to protect you against such
power disturbances and more importantly, power up your computer even when
there is no power supply. Here are a few tips that should help you in
choosing the right UPS for you.
1.) Power
Points
The more power points
on the UPS, the better it will be for you. If you are a home PC user,
look for a UPS with at least a 500 to 700 VA rating.
2.) Backup
Time
Don’t expect
your UPS to keep your PC running all day. Most of them are engineered
to provide you with a backup time of around 10 to 20 minutes. What they
essentially do is save your work when there is a power shutdown to save
your system from an abrupt shutdown that could mess up your computer settings.
Depending on your needs, choose the UPS that meets your backup time demands.
3.) Other
Features of a UPS
When you are buying
a UPS, ask the vendor for more features. This will help you in finding
the UPS that has that one additional thing that will help you in your
buying decision. Of course, the best feature is its Automatic Voltage
Regulation (AVR), which isolates your PC from voltage fluctuations that
lead to computer disturbances. What a UPS does is condition the incoming
power before being fed to the PC’s SMPS. Most of them also automatically
initiate a scheduled shutdown sequence after saving your work, which works
to prevent damages within the computer hardware.
4.) Warranty
Obtain a guarantee
before buying a UPS. It’s a pre-requisite. Undue delays in replacements
can affect business. Some vendors offer onsite warranties where they replace
the batteries at your place, which is nice. If you are planning to use
the UPS at work, go for a longer warranty term.
5.) SMPS-UPS
Ratio
Even if the SMPS carries
a high rating, your UPS doesn't need to be competitive. A 600 VA rating
on a UPS should be fine for most systems. So, don’t go on a VS shopping
frenzy. Just relax!
6.) Battery
Replacement
The general rule is
three years, but if you are experiencing low backup times more frequently,
you could get the battery replaced immediately if it’s under a warranty.
If you are facing no problems, expect your battery to work for at least
three years.
7.) Power
Up
Contrary to the myth,
it’s perfectly fine to leave the main switch on even when you are
no longer working and the computer is shut down. However, it’s best
to pair your UPS with a voltage stabilizer for additional safety.
8.) Software
Reports
The software provided
with the UPS is not always accurate with its reports, so don’t go
by what it has to say most of the time. You don’t need to listen
to it when it says your battery needs to be replaced, even though you’ve
never experienced low backup times. These faulty reports shouldn’t
worry you though. The software is good at its essential function of shutting
down the PC properly.
9.) Usage
Tips and Tricks
Do not overload the
UPS when it’s not necessary. For example, connecting external devices
like the printer, scanner and the fax machine, which all draw a lot of
power. Do a regular check on your UPS by turning off the mains, particularly
when you’ve not experienced power outages in a long time. To optimize
the charge of your batteries, discharge them completely at least once
a month. And lastly, make sure the UPS is properly earthed all the time
to prevent any electrical disasters.
If you follow these
guidelines, you will be able to find a UPS that is just right for you!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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