Protecting Computers and other Equipment

• From surges and spikes - Use a protected powerboard or socket protector.
• From voltage and power supply variations (particularly where generator power is used) Use an Automatic Voltage Regulation Unit.
• As above but have equipment continue to operate when power is unsuitable or has failed - Use a UPS rated for both the load being protected and able to give sufficient time on battery.

UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) is a piece of equipment that provides continuous power to equipment either by filtering and 'smoothing'mains power or by supplying from its own battery as a backup when mains power becomes unsuitable or is unavailable. For more information see the bottom of the page.

Recommended APC UPS Models for Aboriginal Communities to protect 1 computer (select a higher VA rating for longer protection time, but increased purchase price):

Note: The price is a maximum price (May 2006) - resellers will most likely undercut this price:

• Smart-UPS RT 1000VA: Sine Waveform, Input voltage 160-280 (adjustable 100-280) $1725 More Details - double conversion online - generator compatible - can take extra battery packs to increase on battery time Details here 

• Smart-UPS XL 1000VA: Sine Waveform, Input voltage 160-285 (adjustable 151-302) $1250 More Details- line interactive - generator compatible - can take extra battery packs to increase on battery time Details here 

• Smart-UPS SC 620VA: Stepped Waveform, Input voltage 260-285 (adjustable 151-302)$429 More Details

• Smart-UPS 1500VA: New Details- Line Interactive - does not take additional battery packs.

Belkin 1200VA UPS. Part: F6C120auUNV 

Automatic Voltage Regulation Units

These units are inexpensive and provide much more protection than consumer surge protectors (power boards or units that sit in the power socket between the power and the computer load).

Details of two APC models (more expensive model is less than AUD140).

LE1200I and LE600I

Information sheet on LE1200I and LE600I 

More Detail on UPS

The true UPS constantly provides power at a particular voltage and frequency (Hertz) via its battery with the mains power constantly recharging the battery.

However, most modern UPS provide power direct from mains power, switching instantly to battery power when there is a problem.

Batteries can supply power for only a short time when the power fails, unless a higher capacity UPS is used. Batteries also have a short life (a few years) so need regular replacement.

Each UPS company has information on their website. The APC website (Australia) has information about each of its UPS products plus ways of calculating how long a particular UPS could operate on battery.

UPS are rated in VA (Volt Amps). The VA rating of a UPS is used to calculate on average how long the UPS can operate on battery alone. The higher the VA rating the longer time on battery alone. So, a 1000VA UPS would last longer on battery than a 600VA UPS. If the specifications are the same then either UPS would do the same job of power filtering and smoothing while mains power is available. The VA rating is not the same as the load in Watts - the reason is technical.

The load (in Watts) also has an effect on time on battery. If what you are protecting uses 300 Watts then the UPS can operate for somewhere near twice the time it can for a load of 600 Watts.

Calculating the load

Say you are protecting one computer. Find the number of Watts for the computer (at the back on the power supply). Find the Watts for the monitor (should be on the back or in the manual). Add them together. This would be a rough guide to the maximum load for the computer.

An easier method is to get an average idea from a Selector/Calculator at a UPS manufacturer's website. Here's one. If power problems are frequent and you have the budget then purchase a UPS with a higher VA rating or one with more sophisticated power management. For example, in remote Aboriginal Communities in Australia power is generated locally and there are great variations in voltage and outages can be common. A UPS used in this situation would need high battery time as well as UPS provided voltage regulation. Try this selector for a workstation. Make sure to change the time on battery to what you would want. Any RT or XL models displayed would be more appropriate for use in Aboriginal Communities because they can operate over a wider range of input voltages and also output power with a true sine wave. The APC models that can be 'desensitised' to extreme local voltage variations

are listed here with directions to make jumper adjustments.

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