Why A Battery Backup Will Save Your Computer
In this blog post, I will talk about the absolute importance of using an uninterruptible power supply. Otherwise known as Backup Batteries or UPS, and why they protect your computer and other technology from power surges and power bumps.
Unfortunately, I've heard far too many horror stories about people who lost their computer because of Friday due to lightning, or as I said, a power bump or power surge and the data along with it. Trust me when I say this is not something you want to experience, never mind the expense. Of course, you'll want to buy a backup battery from a reputable brand, given that this protects your technology, your computer, something you need.
Backup batteries or UPS's mostly work the same way. What matters here is how many devices you have plugged into it, how much power they require, and how long you need the battery to kick in while you safely shut down what you're doing. It's always a good idea to have more power available than you need in a backup battery because you're only sometimes in front of your computer.
If you have more than one computer connected to the backup., you'll definitely need a larger backup battery. It's unlikely you'll have more than two computers connected to a backup battery. That's the max that I recommend having anyway. The more you have connected to a UPS, the faster the battery will be used up.
It's also very worth remembering how much of a load you're putting on the electrical circuit dedicated to that room.
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Backup batteries come in many different sizes as well. So, if you need it to fit in a tight space, keep that in mind. I have my internet modem connected to a smaller 350 VA unit. Two of my computers are plugged into a 1500 VA unit.
If you have a few devices to plug into the backup battery and just one computer, a 600 VA unit should be suitable. I'd recommend that an 850 VA unit has a bigger battery, giving you more time to shut down your computers properly, about 15 to 20 minutes on average.
Of course, you're only sometimes in front of your computer, so it gives you time to come back to your office or wherever the computer is and gives you time to shut down without rushing. Larger backup batteries will likely come with software and a USB cable. So you can monitor the status of your ups on your computer and get notifications about it. Smaller units don't offer that.
One of the features available in the software is the ability to turn off the alarms, and I do. I want the UPS to turn on when needed; otherwise, they can notify me on the computer. The piercing alarms aren't necessary.
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If you have a home office or otherwise have computers connected to a UPS, and it's after your family goes to bed, you really don't want those alarms going off.
I use the APC Powerchute software, which displays the remaining battery and whether it's being used. If it is used while power is on, you should upgrade the electrical circuit in that room. The UPS will wear down faster if it's used all the time. The UPS itself may not tell you this.
As far as the battery being used at any given time, the software will tell you that. However, this may only be the case for some backup batteries. Never, and I repeat, I implore you to never connect your computers directly to a wall socket, though a surge-protected Power bar is better than nothing.
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