Battery Back-up for the computer

[PhotosGuy]

We've been having rain off & on all day & 1/2 hour ago I heard a CRASH of thunder & the lights & tv went off. I was downloading a few pics at the time & the computer just kept on working while the battery back-up started beeping.
I finished the down load, closed the open programs, & shut down the computer.

It could have been a disaster. If you don't already have one, I suggest you look into a battery back-up for yours. Mine (CyberPower) cost under $40US, & also insures you against power surges.
(If I hadn't been there, it would have closed the open programs, & shut down the computer all by itself.)

[robertwgross]

AC power reliability is kind of an interesting topic.

In some places, the threat of a lightning storm is a weekly situation. If the power utility company has done a normal job of constructing the grid, there is a moderate risk that some surge is going to come through your wall receptacles. Normally, those surges are small, and any kind of surge suppression device will trap them before they can get into your computer's power supply.

However, in other areas, the grid is pretty loose, and surges are much more common, and they are pretty mean by the time they come out of your wall receptacles. So, a better suppression device is called for.

Often, it isn't the surge itself that gets you. There will be a surge for a split second, and then there is a drop-out for the next period. During that drop-out, the power supply regulation is trying to "crank up" to keep constant power to the computer motherboard. Then, an instant later, the voltage normalizes, and the regulation spikes upward again. That last step is what kills a lot of motherboards.

Power blackouts are quite another thing. If you buy an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), then it plugs into the receptacle and then it furnishes power to the computer. If the blackout hits it, it keeps putting out power to the computer for a limited amount of time. Normally, they alert the user that there has been a blackout, and the user has a minute or two to properly shut the computer down so as to avoid any real damage.

I'm lucky that I live in an area where the power is especially clean, with no blackouts and rare surges, and I have never had my computers damaged by power. Once, however, I walked across the carpet, picked up a good static charge, and then touched the key on the keyboard. Something went "poof" in the back of the computer and it crashed. Two hours later and one new power supply later, I was back up and running with no damage.

---Bob Gross---

[Conk]

I live about three quarters of a mile from the Pacific Hwy (that goes to the U.S./Can border) and a intersection that has a train crossing. It seems that twice a year there is an accident where someone has tried to beat the train. http://www.pbase.com/image/6681005 When this happens we lose power. I finally decided to install an APC 725VA battery back-up. So far since I have installed it there has been no blackouts but it has been a great peace of mind.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'm on a battery back up now.. but I have to say.. the two times that I have needed battery backups.. BOTH times they did NOT work... (at least not in time to keep the PC from shutting down HARD.. in one case it cost me a power supply and Mobo...

So... yes,. I still have a battery back up.. and yes some protection is better than none.. but don't be too confident your UPS will save the day.. :(

[PhotosGuy]

.. the two times that I have needed battery backups.. BOTH times they did NOT work...

I had to return the first two to Best Buy to get a good one. Easiest way to check it... Charge it up, plug a light bulb into it, & unplug the power. If the light doesn't blink, then try it with your computer.

So far, it's saved me three times in two years.

[Penguin_101_1]

I am only on a surge protector but I have a laptop so I have 2 hours 33 minutes for battery backup

[PhotosGuy]

I am only on a surge protector but I have a laptop so I have 2 hours 33 minutes for battery backup

You do know that they lose a bit of effectiveness easch time they 'absorb' a spike, don't you? The inexpensive ones need to be replaced as they get older.
No, I have no idea how often that should be.

[scottbergerphoto]

The wiring in my house isn't the best as far as capacity. I've had at least three occasions where I blew the breaker my computer was on due. The Belkin battery back up saved my a** and my new Dell 3GHZ. It auotmatically went to battery power and the software closed my applications and shut down windows. I have one with enough capacity for 2 CPU's and 2 monitors. It's well worth it (about $100).
Scott

[scottbergerphoto]

It seems that twice a year there is an accident where someone has tried to beat the train. http://www.pbase.com/image/6681005 When this happens we lose power.
OUCH!

[robertwgross]

You do know that they lose a bit of effectiveness easch time they 'absorb' a spike, don't you? The inexpensive ones need to be replaced as they get older.
No, I have no idea how often that should be.

It depends on the type of surge suppressor. Inside, they can have different components. One is a gas tube that ionizes during the spike. They generally do not wear out. Another one is a semiconductor, like a metal oxide varistor. If they get hit with a big spike, they can blow. Then there are inductors, diodes, and all sorts of other junk to slow down the spike. Lastly, there should be a circuit breaker, and it opens up when one of the other components goes. However, most of these are only as good as the ground lead attached to them. Therefore, it is good to have a three-point electrical tester on the receptacle before you put your trust into a surge suppressor.

---Bob Gross---

[PhotosGuy]

Thanks, Bob. I suspected that the answer was going to be complicated!