Backup UPS Systems (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

Everyone should have a backup power supply that kicks in when you power company farts (or when they decide to up the price of power 22% and you forget to pay the extra amount). Well, should your power supply fluctuate up or down, a UPS will help enormously. I've seen folks that need new power supplies in their computer case because their supply fluctuates and weakens the system till it dies.

Two major companies that make UPS's are Tripplite and APC. There's a pretty big difference in the two products. I worked with APC's UPS and this product is far superior than any of Tripplite's I've worked with. Somehow everything about APC's UPS is a LOT better.

• APC's software is considerably better than anything from Tripplite. Tripplite's software never seems to work - not only with a serial connection, but even with a USB connection. Their tech support was only mediocre in helping me solve this. APC's software is much more comprehensive. It features a log that notifies you when and how many times the power fluctuated. It also tells you how much power draw is plugged into your UPS. It gauges to tell you how much time you can run the UPS when the power's out.


• More options. APC's UPS's have comparable options to anything that Tripplite makes: coaxial, phone line (RJ-11), and ethernet (RJ-45), but it's what you don't notice at first that makes a difference. APC's Back-UPS RS series has built in fault protection that will let you know when you have bad wiring in your outlets. They also integrate beefy surge protection only outlets for things like speakers, printers, and such. This frees up the need to have a separate power strip under your desk.


• No lack of accessories. Tripplite includes the bare minimum in their boxes. Their higher end models do include the hardware to rack mount; however, they don't include any extra phone cable, or ethernet cable. APC's got everything you need in the box. I don't want to cut and crimp another cable for when I slip in a UPS, and APC agrees with me. APC also included two nice Velcro cable ties with their Back-UPS RS.


• Support. I don't think anyone at Tripplite wears bras, because their support is below mediocre. I called to find out why one of my Tripplite Omnismart UPS's wasn't kicking in when the power went out. They told me to get a new battery, and when I got one, it still didn't work. At that time I called, and they informed me that my UPS was dead and the warranty was expired. That's crap. I like the fact that I've never had to call APC -- yet.

I would recommend APC to anyone. If you are serious enough to get a battery backup, get something that's good. Don't mess around like I've done, get an APC.