I was just wondering, if I order this UPS, should I order a surge protecter as well? Do I need it?
If that UPS provides hardware protection, then it has a specification number that says how much. Protection already inside appliances routinely converts hundred of joules into rock stable, low DC voltages to safely power semiconductors. Protection from hundreds or a thousand joule surge already exists.
So how many joules does that UPS claim to 'absorb'? And what does it do for potentially destructive surges - hundreds of thousands of joules? Notice they will not discuss this to protect sales and profit margins.
A UPS typically only absorbs a few hundred joules. A power strip protector may absorb as many as a thousand. But again, what happens when a destructive surge exists? Catastrophic failure. In rare cases, fire. Why does anyone spend so much money for so tiny protection. Notice the majority only cite what they heard in advertising. A major cite no specification numbers.
UPS is temporary and 'dirty' power to protect unsaved data. It does not protect hardware. Since electronics already have robust internal protection, then 'dirty' UPS power is rather routine. And not harmful to more robust electronics.
Power strip protector does what? To avert fire, a thermal fuse disconnects protector parts as fast as possible. And leaves a surge still connection to attached appliances. No problem. A surge that can destroy a power strip is also too tiny to harm the appliance. That failure gets naive consumers to recommend it and buy more.
The UPS provides power during blackouts. Something completely different, called a 'whole house' protector, is essential for protecting all appliances - including that UPS and any power strips.
If anything needs that protection, then everything needs that protection. So informed consumers spend about £1 per protected appliance on a properly earthed 'whole house' solution.
Protection is about where hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly dissipate. Plug-in protectors have no earth ground. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground.
So how great is the risk. Potentially destructive surges occur maybe once every seven years. Far less often in the UK. But the 'whole house' solution is so simple and so many times less expensive. Your choice should always be determined by these numbers. Don't waste money on 'magic' plug-in boxes.
