What is a UPS and why do you need one?

A UPS (Uninterruptible power supply) is an incredibly simple but important device that no computer should be without. It’s a battery that plugs into the wall. You then plug devices into the battery and use that to power them.

Now you may be asking, “why wouldn’t I just plug my computer or monitor directly into the wall?” and that’s a good question. Computers have many parts that are sensitive to fluctuations in electricity. Most of the time the current coming into your house or office is pretty consistent but we have all experienced brown outs, power spikes and even power outages. While rare, these fluctuations in power can be very harmful to computers. Ever notice the lights dim or flicker for a second when your fridge or furnace turns on? Your computer does as well.

The UPS keeps its battery constantly charged from the wall then delivers a steady and consistent flow of electricity to any devices plugged into it. This completely protects your devices from the negative effects of power outages, brownouts or power spikes. Many UPS’s even come with a “connected devices warranty” meaning if the product should fail to protect any device plugged into it, they will pay to replace it free of charge.

The most common parts effected by power fluctuations are the power supply, motherboard but more importantly the Hard Drive, where all of your data is stored. Even something as simple as turning off the computer by hitting the off button on the power bar or pulling the power cable out of the back of the tower can cause loss of data.

UPS’s come in many different flavors and can range in price from 35.00 to thousands of dollars. The average household UPS’s run in the 35.00 to 75.00 range depending on how much you need to plug into it. Most users will plug in their computer, monitor and modem so that if the power does go out, they can have an additional 15 to 30 minutes of power to finish what they are working on and shut everything down.

Here are just some of the advantages to using a UPS:

• Constant and consistent supply of clean power to all connected devices.
• Connected device warranty.
• Included software monitors your computer so if you are out of the house and your power goes out, it will save and close all of your documents ie: word, email etc and shut down your computer safely.
• Automatic self-test Ensures early detection of potential problems by periodic testing of UPS components.
• Keep working during power outages for up to one full hour.

This product is available for purchase threw P.C. Tantrums.

Please CONTACT US for more details and information.