uninteruptable power supply - suggestions- UK

[hania]

I recently got my 1T external drive fried because I hadn't realised my surge-protector had blown. We live on a farm and have quite a lot of power surges/dips depending on weather etc and machinery usage.

It has been suggested we get an UPS - but am very confused which one to get - we have 2 computers networked together in one room, and a mac in another.

Any recommendations?

I have been looking at them but they use too much jargon for me to know which one I want - they go on about 200-800-1000 VA- but I havn't a clue what VA means - I just want one to protect 1 or 2 desktops!

[joeseph]

VA is just another term for wattage (volts x amps = watts) so it's just a rating of how much equipment you can reasonably run.

Have a look at the specs for the computers you have and add up the wattage, once you've got that figure, work out which model UPS would comfortabl;y run that load & away you go. In a sustained powercut, most UPS give you time enough to cleanly shut down your computer gear but not much else.

[hania]

VA is just another term for wattage (volts x amps = watts) so it's just a rating of how much equipment you can reasonably run.

Have a look at the specs for the computers you have and add up the wattage, once you've got that figure, work out which model UPS would comfortabl;y run that load & away you go. In a sustained powercut, most UPS give you time enough to cleanly shut down your computer gear but not much else.

thanks

[themadman]

I have heard some good things about the Power PC and Cooling UPS (have not tried it myself)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842703001&Tpk=power%20pc%20and%20cooling%20ups