APC Smart UPS

[skim08]

Sorry if this isn't the right place for this.

Setting up my editing system.

I'm trying to figure out what backup power unit to get. Do I really need something this hefty? --

APC Smart-UPS 1500VA - UPS ( external ) - AC 120 V - 1500 VA - 8 output connector(s)

The backup power unit will be for a new Mac Pro system. Eventually will have two 24" Dell monitors, MAudio BX5a 5" speakers, Xenyx 802 4 track mixer, Kona box LHe, Wacom tablet - I imagine all this will be going into the APC.

thanks for any insight.

 

[Graeme Nattress]

First, figure exactly what needs to go into the UPS - the mac yes, main monitor, any external drives. The UPS is to give you enough power to shut down safely, or not to interrupt work while there's a short power interruption. I'd not put the external speakers or mixer on the battery side, just the critical computer stuff. I think I'm on a 650VA one, so a 1500VA should give you plenty. Or you can use two cheaper 650VA ones and spread the load. Either way, very good move to get a battery backup. I consider them essential.

Graeme

 

[Brent J. Craig]

You will actually find your computer experiences less 'unexplained errors' and crashes when you feed it nice clean power. Like Graeme said, just power what you need to safely shut down, AND any connected drives since you wouldn't want them to lose power with files open.

 

[number6]

gfci?

gfci?

Can anyone comment on any benefit of having a gfci protected wall socket behind the battery backup? It's my understanding that any pouer surge can weaken and shorten the life of any electronic device. I'm just wondering if the ground fault circuit interrupter might afford a little protection for even the surge protector in the battery back-up?

 

[Brent J. Craig]

Can anyone comment on any benefit of having a gfci protected wall socket behind the battery backup?

I am not an electrician, but GFCI's trip when voltage flows through the ground line. They have nothing to do with surge protection.

If you fear that you might drop your editing system in a pool, a GFCI would be useful. Otherwise not so much.

 

[number6]

I am not an electrician, but GFCI's trip when voltage flows through the ground line. They have nothing to do with surge protection.

If you fear that you might drop your editing system in a pool, a GFCI would be useful. Otherwise not so much.

Makes sense. Ironically, a storm passed last night and a lightning strike sent a surge and hit the one computer I did not have on an APS Battery backup, and apparently no surge protection (although I thought I had some in place.) Fried my modem and of all things, my keyboard and mouse connectors. New keyboard and new mouse and the computer works fine. Go figure.

 

[Brent J. Craig]

... Fried my modem and of all things,

The stray voltage could have come through your modem connection. To be fully protected your telephone line and network should run through surge protection as well (although I don't know how well those power bars with phone and network pass throughs work.)

 

[skim08]

Hey -
thanks everyone for your comments. Very helpful.

So it sounds like as long as you
a) add up the voltage of all devices you plug into your APS, and
b) get an APS (or 2) that can handle that amount of voltage,
then you are in good shape....

best,
susan

 

[Chris Forbes]

Remember you need peak load on your devices. A MacPro will pull over 12 amps on start-up according to the users guide. I run the 1500 on my Macpro with 2 24in monitors and a couple of removable hard drives and it does the job nicely.

 

[skim08]

"Remember you need peak load on your devices."

ah...I hadn't factored that in. Thanks!

 

[Brent J. Craig]

Remember you need peak load on your devices. A MacPro will pull over 12 amps on start-up according to the users guide

I would hope people wouldn't be starting up their devices during a power failure. That is when most people are shutting them down!