Advice on UPS + AVR Technology.

Gogl

Gogl

Gogl

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15 Apr 2008
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I have a feeling that the power where I am has a tendancy to spike a fair amount, as such I am considering getting a UPS with AVR tech just to be on the safe side.

I haven't finalized the specs of the system I'm building yet, but I'll probably be using a Q9550 with a 4870, can anyone tell me what sort of power battery I should be looking at for the back-up side of things?

Also, anyone had any experience with the different models on offer in regards to the quality/AVR side of things?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
These UPS with AVR are good value for money just google it.i can send you the link if you want.
Plexus SD 1500VA UPS
Plexus X 2000VA UPS With AVR
 
Thanks for the suggestion AtaRo, an offline UPS with AVR tech eh? Interesting.

I may still go for an online one, but those Plexus units look like great value for money where the quality of the power is not of such concern, I'll keep those in mind.

I'd never heared of them before, so I'm glad I asked. :)

I don't think I'll need the links, thanks for the offer though.

Cheers.
 
Gogl said:
but I'll probably be using a Q9550 with a 4870, can anyone tell me what sort of power battery I should be looking at for the back-up side of things?
Click to expand...
I'll assume you also want to connect display to UPS for being able to see something so about 500W UPS would be good starting point. (providing also more than couple minutes of uptime in battery operation)

And VA isn't same as W!
For general El Cheapos without knowledge of it multiply VA-rating by 0,5 (to be sure) for getting probable actual output capacity... Like what Plexus stinks like.
These cheapish, unknown hard to find information brands can have also actual safety deficiencies so I would avoid them totally.

Off-line UPSes rarely have much any line filtering capabilities.
More expensive line-interactive UPSes are better in that aspect and better ones have voltage correction features.
On-line/dual conversion UPSes which charge battery and run inverter all the time (providing always best power quality) are even more expensive and not good for home use because of consuming lot power all the time meaning also need for cooling. (often noisy fan)


APC BACK-UPS RS 800VA would be one of the cheaper credible options.
If you want to use normal power cables there are apparently versions of MGE Ellipse ASRs with standard outlets.
You probably don't want to go for sine-wave UPS which are more expensive than basic modified square wave UPSes. (square wave is enough for PC)
 
I use a APC BackUPS 650VA which has been powering my PC in sig (inc both monitors), a few extra hard drives, router + wireless AP and my sound system (rated 300W but I never take the volume above 50%) is plugged in to it as I dont have any spare plugs ;)

Its been running fine for a year on this setup, and about 2 years on my old overclocked P4 setup. I would like to know how much more it could take if any.
 
I have a belkin 1200va/670watts ups, and had it for 2yrs and the reason I bought is cos the power would trip off in our house at least every 2day, like sometime the power would trip 2 or 3 times a day. My ups never failed once to kick in when the power failed, I could say the ups has been a life saver, cos I guess my pc would have died pretty soon with the power off and on like a yoyo

About 2months ago we had the electric fixed and it hasnt been off once so far, but Im still using the ups cos its protecting me in otherways like.....
AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation)
Protecting me from surges..... Apparntly the belkin 1200va ups can kill a 39.000.000 watt surge, yes 39.000.000watt., Ive even checked that with belkin and its true. So it should handle a bad thunderstorm no probs.

Heres what Ive got plugged into my ups:
main pc
main 20.1" lcd monitor
2nd pc ([email protected], 1gb mem, 1900xt card, Abit ip35 board)
2nd 19" lcd monitor
mouse
logi z680 speakers
printer/scanner
router
phone
2 external hdd
media player

All that switched on with main pc at full load altogether with 2nd pc off Id say it would use about 350-400watts, cos the main computer and monitor on its own at ide uses 170watts. See sig for system

Remember a good qual ups on its own will use about 40watts or so, cos its continuously monitoring the power
 
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Hey, thanks for the detailed info guys, there's a lot to take note of there, I'll bear those thoughts and suggestions in mind when it comes time to buy. I can see the sound and power saving advantage of a line-interactive UPS. It's also good to know the Belkin works well should I want to go for online.

So cheers for that.

If anyone else is considering one of these I found this which may be of interest:

http://www.powerlineengineering.com/offline.htm

@Phil2008,

I'm guessing that the extra juice that unit sucks hasn't been noticeably excessive, or if you don't pay the bill you've not been whinged at much as a result?

Ta.
 
the plexus units that i have recommended are good value for money and they got AVR in series with the UPS and AVR usually is an auto transformer and transformer can actually help smooth line voltage, reduced spikes and surges.

Plexus X 1500VA UPS With AVR £66.09
APC BK650EI 650VA £68.99
 
I have that APC 650VA, highly recommended if you can put up with the beige (mine is hidden behind a set of draws under my desk).
 
Well, much will depend on how much I have to spare, should be sure of that within the week, two at most.

Thanks for the feedback chaps.
 
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