November 30, 2009

There is no S.U.R.G.E in a UPS

Well actually, there is a little, but its not worth trusting your expensive IT equipment to it.

A cheap power strip selling for $7 offers nearly the same amount of surge arresting protection as the $1700 APC Smart UPS 3000va UPS.

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In the mickey mouse world of plug in surge suppressors, the strip has 770 joules and APC ups has 880 joules.  While you'll learn what all that means here, to me the main point is that whether you can trust your plug in strip for serious protection.  If you dont then why would trust your UPS for surge protection.

If you are like me, a surge strip is an extension cord, and i wouldn't trust for anything critical or expensive.

Your solution... buy a hardwired, panel mount surge suppressor.  We have good ones here at our store.