Things I've Found That Just Work; APC Uninterruptible Power Supply

I have an APC unit is very much like this one, but mine is more than 10 years old so this model is slightly different.
You can get them smaller, without a digital readout or even much larger, depending upon your needs.

The experts say that if you care about your images and other important data you will have a solid backup plan in place and follow it rigorously.  That backup plan protects your images from hardware failure.  Those irreplaceable images will be safe, hopefully.  But nothing is full proof, it seems.

In addition, I think it is important to have protection from lightning strikes, power losses, power surges as well as dips in power.  Even a power loss of a second or two will likely cause your computer and any peripherals, such as attached hard drives to also shut down.  That can be disastrous.  

Several years ago, I was transferring some images from an internal hard drive to a backup hard drive when the power in my home went off for just a couple of seconds.  My computer instantly shut down while I was in the middle of copying those images.  Unfortunately, I lost a couple of them to data corruption caused by the power interruption.  I learned that lesson and from then on, my computer is always connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery backup device.  In fact, I now have all of my sensitive electronic gear in my home connected to the power grid through a UPS.  I use four of them.

The UPS provides a power source through a backup battery, protection from power outages, lightning strikes, regulation of voltage from power surges as well as dips in voltage, any of which can ruin your devices and, subsequently, your day.  It doesn't happen often where I live, but my power does go out once in a while.  I would estimate maybe for a few minutes every couple of months.  If there is a big storm, however, it can be out for days.  Also, I had never noticed it before using a UPS (I had no way of knowing) but I frequently get either surges or dips in voltage.  I can hear the UPS devices reacting to them.  They instantly regulate the power going to my electronic devices so there is no damage.  When a power outage occurs, I have plenty of time to properly turn off and shut down all of my electronic devices as recommended by the manufacturer.

My UPS devices of choice are made by APC—American Power Conversion, by Schneider Electric.  I've been using their devices for years and have never had an issue.  They have been reliable, affordable, well made and have "just worked" as I would expect them to work.  There is no need to "tend" to anything.  It is all transparent after connecting everything.  There are a variety of sizes, models, voltages, configurations, etc. available. They can also be purchased directly online from the company or through Amazon, B and H, etc.  Also, I see they sell specific models for specific countries.  From my experience, I have peace of mind, even when away, as I am protected from power losses and surges from thunderstorms, etc.  

The unit to which I have my desktop computer and all of my peripherals attached has a digital readout.  What is nice is that I can visually see the input voltage (from the household line), the voltage it is putting out, the charge state of the battery and the number of minutes left before the battery is depleted when the UPS alone is powering my stuff.  It also came with software that communicates with my computer and gives me a weekly report on any anomalies it records.  Finally, if I am not home, 5 minutes before the backup battery is depleted, the UPS will shut down my computer properly if necessary.  I like knowing all of this information but it certainly is not necessary.  A simple model with battery backup is all you need.

In my older units, the internal batteries have lasted longer than I expected and, when one needs replacing (as all batteries eventually do), I have been able to find them locally at a store that sells a wide variety of batteries.  I don't have to wait for a replacement to be delivered.  The cost of the replacement battery I last purchased was around $35 US.  But the original lasted almost 10 years.

I think it wise to not only protect my images as well as all of my other important data from hardware malfunctions but also for unexpected shutdowns or electrical issues.  From my experience over the past many years, I can recommend APC UPS units.  They just work. 

If you use UPS units of a different manufacture, please leave a comment so we all can benefit from your experience.  Thank you.

DISCLAIMER:  I have no affiliation with APC, Schneider Electric, Amazon, B and H or any other company.  I have no advertising, pass through clicks to generate commissions or any other revenue.  I pay for my gear the same as you.  I get nothing discounted, free, on loan.  I just try to pass on my experiences to be of help to others.

Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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