said by Guspaz:He might need an electrician to fix his wiring, but a UPS is something that everyone always needs
You can never have enough UPSes :P
I agree with Guspaz on two accounts:
1. Adding an UPS to correct an electrical problem is foolish and dangerous.
2. Using an UPS (even the cheap ones at Costco) works way better than a surge protector.
There are 5 UPS devices here. The worst of the problems that we are having are at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day when the switch gear either at Horizon Utilities (formally Hamilton Hydro) or Hydro One (the distribution arm of Ontario Hydro when it was split into 3 entities) adjust the taps on the transformers to keep the electrical system at relatively constant voltages.
Over night the electrical system is at its lowest use. While transformers can provide some regulation, less current (less consumed power) will allow the voltage to creep higher. Hydro One and the largest local utilities adjust the taps on the distribution transformers to keep the voltages within the utilities specifications. As humans wake up in the morning, lights are turned on breakfast is cooked, hotels become alive, etc. the voltage will begin to drop. Since there is no physical way to regulate the voltage, the electricity suppliers use transformers that have a series of connections (taps) that allow the output voltage to be adjusted as the load varies. The voltage will continuously be adjusted up throughout the day until offices close, supper is finished and the country goes to bed when the taps are selected to lower the voltage and the cycle starts again the next day.
Our worst problems here occur when the switch gear used to change the taps is either (sticky) slow or has dirty contacts. The result is that the voltage avalanches for several milliseconds before the switch makes a solid connection to the specific tap in the distribution system.
The backup UPS shown for convenience only here:
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canadacomputers.com/sear ··· &sort=3aAre APC devices. Those from $229.99 and lower should work for any household.
Sizing is a real issue and is discussed here:
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www.apcmedia.com/salesto ··· 1_EN.pdfThere are several companies that manufacture UPS devices. Using APC information is NOT an endorsement. Costco in Canada sells APC UPS devices cheaper than an equivalent model at a computer store.
Electrical SupplyAgain I suggest that you look through the post from 2011 here:
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Fibe 16 with Sagemcom - DSL disconnects with coffee maker!The link above covers many issues including letting your electricity supplier eliminate problems on their side of the system at their expense.
Replacing outlets and either eliminating extension cords or replacing cords is a good start.
While none of us want to spend money that we dont need to spend; there are those that will complain vociferously about an issue when the outlet that the device is plugged into is so loose that if you sneezed the cable would fall out of the wall and the fix is about $2.00 and we are here chasing phantoms.
Trying to correct intermittent problems is always a pain. Replacing the outlet or buying a new extension cord for less than $20.00, even if the problem is not resolved is a really great investment. Several issues have been eliminated.
Rick