Get an Uninterruptible Power Supply

UPS are almost a must have for serious work at home use. One thing that must be mentioned is that the built in battery must be checked on occasion (maybe 4 times a year) to make sure it has not failed. I found out the hard way. During one blackout, the UPS shut down power after less than 10 seconds. It gave an alarm and by the time I was able to figure out what it was (I don't hear the alarms often, so I didn't realize the UPS trying to tell me of a blackout), I had used up all the juice the battery was able to supply. Also, the batteries are not cheap to replace, but it is cheap insurance - when the UPS works.

The generator suggestion made me wonder about the "homeowner" class of portable generators. I have heard that many of them are not really suitable for running home electronics because of the way they generate some 'wave' in the current. Is this true?

Generators can be harsh on computers and electronic equipment. They tend to generate square waves instead of smooth sine waves. You can shop for a better generator or use one in combination with a line conditioner (although those can be quite expensive).

Usually only the power supply of the computer is harmed if the generator causes damage--it can be replaced for about $50 if need be.

I been using a modified square wave inverter (AIMS 1250 Watt Power Inverter) to power everything in my home and that includes my desktop and laptop computers and my HP laser printer, for many years and every one of them are still running just fine. I have a Dell Dimension 733r that I bought in 2000 and was my only computer for many years and did just fine on square wave. The only problem is you may get some humm over the phoneline and some modems (US Robotics and the modem in my EMac) may not work. The modem that came in my laptops (IBM TP G40 and Toshiba M35) and all my Dell Desktops worked. Never had a power supply go out! //bob

I have a whole house automatic 15kw generator AND a Tripp Lite UPS. If you live in an area with frequent power outages, you need both. Generators only come on after you lose your power (even automatic switching ones), which means that as soon as the power goes out (unless you have a UPS)you lose everything you were working on PLUS you have a improper computer shutdown which may cause other serious problems. Tripp Lite is a fantastic company. I came home from a several week trip last year to find my several year old Tripp Lite UPS was dead. I called their tech. support to find out if there was anything I could fix myself, and the rep asked me the model # and serial # of the unit. Then he said "Please make sure to properly dispose of the old unit when you get the replacement". FREE REPLACEMENT. No hassle, no argument, no shipping or handling charge. Ten days later I had a new, better than the old one, replacement. Guess what UPS I'll forever buy.

A few clarifications: IF you have a generator, you MUST still use it in conjunction w/a UPS, unless you have an "inverter-generator" (the small Honda units, as an example). Generator power, unless it is a "whole-house/standby" unit, is not the same quality as "optimal" utility power. Generators should be sized at least TWO TIMES the UPS rating to minimize "drops" in power.

I install home standby generators. It has been my experience that not all plug in UPS units will work when connected to a generator back up system. Is there a way to determine which units will work and which will not?

I have a UPS on my Mac Mini but in another room is my laptop on a surge protector only. Do I need a UPS on the laptop? It seems that it already has its own battery to use if the power goes out.

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's correct, no need to plug a laptop into a UPS.

Could you point me to a UPS that will correct a less than true sine wave supply? I will be using a Honda generator on my liveaboard boat and need the use of my desktop PC while away from the mooring.

For a liveaboard, the "right" set up is a battery bank with an inverter/charger unit and a generator that mainly serves to charge the batteries via the inverter/charger. Thus no need to run small things like computers directly off the generator. All motorhomes are set up this way too. I have what I think is a case of a modified sine wave inverter killing an Antec PC power supply, but I'm not sure yet. Anyway, the best solution is a pure sine wave inverter, which produces very close to utility-quality power, but they cost. I just replaced the inverter anyway (with a Trace SW series unit--the ultimate), so now I wish I had not even tried to use the desktop PC with the old inverter! At least I'm hoping it killed the PS, no the mobo!