1. Q: Why do I need an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS)? |
A: If you need optimum performance
and longevity from your electronic equipment and if
you need a reliable short-term backup power source in
the event of a blackout, then you need a UPS to protect
your equipment. |
2. Q: Should I put a UPS at each
workstation? |
A: Yes, it is a good idea because
this is where the most recent work is being done, and
this data is most vulnerable to loss or corruption in
the event of power outage. |
3. Q: How do I determine what size
UPS to get? |
A: UPS's are
sized by their volt-amp (VA) load. To calculate the
VA load of your system check the UL label for the
operating voltage and amperage drawn*. Add the amperages
of each component to be powered by the UPS and multiply
the number by the voltage (120V for US applications).
This number is your VA load and the minimum size required.
It is a good idea to size your UPS at least 30% larger
than minimum VA load to leave room for future needs.
*Note: Many computers' UL label list 3 or 4 amps.
This is a maximum draw. Typical computers will draw
1 to 2 amps under a standard configuration. |
4. Q: Why Do I Need UPSMON (The
Power Monitoring and Automatic Shutdown Software)? |
A: During a
power interruption, a decision must be made when and
if to gracefully shutdown the computer system. On
a computer system that always has someone within earshot
and eyeshot, this is usually done manually - when
the UPS kicks on during a power failure, the administrator
decides whether to ride it out on battery power or
to save files and close programs.
However, on an unattended computer system, nobody
is around to make that decision. In this case, during
a power failure, the UPS will kick on and run the
computer system, but only until its battery is depleted.
Therefore, it is important to have automatic shutdown
software that will safely shut down the computer system
after a pre-configured time period of when the computer
receives a low battery signal from the UPS. UPS monitoring
and automatic shutdown software also can broadcast
power fail messages to network workstations, keep
an historical log of abnormal power conditions, and
alert the system to page the administrator. |
5. Q: Can UPS Software from One
UPS Manufacturer be used With a Different Brand of UPS? |
A: Generally
not, different software programs have different ways
of communicating; use different cable topologies,
and different brands of UPSs have different pin assignments
on the serial interface port on the UPS. |
6. Q: What is Buck and Boost? |
A: Buck and
boost are terms used in reference to certain types
of voltage regulation. A UPS with built-in voltage
regulation capabilities provides correction of over
voltage and under voltage situations. Buck lowers
a high voltage and boost raises a low voltage. |
7. Q: What is a "Smart"
UPS? |
A: The real
meaning of "smart" UPS is one, which has
a built-in microprocessor and RS-232 interface port.
Many people mistakenly believe that in order to have
an automatic shutdown capability, an UPS must be "smart".
In fact, a UPS with a contact closure serial interface
port can normally do an automatic shutdown.
A "smart" UPS adds the additional functionality
of being able to monitor more operating parameters,
for example: Input & Output Voltage, Input &
Output Frequency, Load Level, Battery Level, Battery
Level, and etc. |
8. Q: Is there Any Equipment I should
Not Connect to My UPS? |
A: In general,
you shouldn't connect a laser printer to your UPS
because a laser printer draws tremendous amount of
power and will likely overload your UPS and cause
the UPS fuse to blow. Most other office equipment,
such as computers, monitors, fax machines, and networking
equipment, should work fine with most UPSs. Do bear
in mind that larger size monitors consume much more
power than smaller monitors and will likely reduce
battery runtime significantly.
You should not connect a Surge Suppressor at the
output of UPS. If you have a Surge Suppressor need
to be used, please plug the Surge Suppressor to the
receptacle on the wall, and plug the UPS to the Surge
Suppressor, so that in case the Surge Suppressor activated
under Spike strike, the closure of MOV in the Surge
Suppressor will not create a short circuit and damage
the UPS.
|
9. Q: The charge light (Yellow)
on my King Office UPS is always illuminated, is this
unit defective? |
A: The charging light is normally
illuminated on King Office Models (KOF-500S, KOF-600S,
KOF-750S). |
10. Q: There is no power from my
King Office UPS, I pushed the power switch button and
nothing happens? |
A: The power
switch is located on the top of the unit and labeled
"on/test". To turn the UPS on, depress the
button and hold if down (for about 2 to 3 seconds)
until the green LED light "Line OK" turns
on and stays on. When the unit is activated, it performs
a self-test for a short period of time. During this
process, the Line OK light will turn off momentarily
and the Backup LED will turn on. After approximately
2 seconds, the Backup LED turns off and the Link OK
LED will turn on and remain steady. |
11. Q: What are the symptoms of
"bad power"? |
A: Commonly,
bad power causes a computer's monitor and indicator
lights to waver or flicker, unexplained errors in
data transmission, sudden loss of Internet access,
a system lockup, aborted modem transfers, and hard
drive crashes. |
12. Q: What are the consequences
of power problems? |
A: Even minor
power problems can cost you money. Anytime a power
interruption delays your work in progress, that's
your valuable time you've lost, and lost time means
lost money.
More serious and expensive, is the fact that power
problems can not only corrupt expensive data files,
but also can permanently damage computers, networks,
and precision electronics. |
13. Q: How can power problems be
avoided? |
A: By always
connecting your sensitive electronic equipment to
a power conditioner, surge protector, and for the
best protection an uninterruptible power system (UPS).
Problems such as blackouts cannot be eliminated, but
the damage they cause can be prevented with a UPS,
which maintains a steady flow of power until the system
can be safely or automatically shut down. |
14. Q: The mouse uses COM 1 and
COM 3 is used by an internal modem. The UPS cable is
connected to COM 2 but there is still a conflict. What
will cause this? |
A: The default
hardware interrupt (IRQ) settings for COM 1 and COM
2 are IRQ 4 and IRQ 3 respectively. If the modem on
COM 3 is using IRQ 3 there will be a conflict with
the UPS on COM 2. Since serial devices cannot share
a communications port or its hardware interrupts,
the interrupt for the modem must be altered. Check
with the modem manual to find out how to change the
IRQ setting. Suggested IRQ includes 5 and 10. If there
are no free IRQ's in your system, you can use IRQ7
since LPT1 is capable of sharing its IRQ. |
15. Q: What is SNMP? |
A: Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) is a family of protocols
that provide a means for monitoring and controlling
networked devices. Computer vendors have built into
some network devices, including some UPS models, network
management capabilities so that you can query their
status remotely, as devices are usually referred to
as "smart" devices. |
16. Q: What is the battery life
span for my UPS? |
A: The batteries life span is 3-5
years, depending on the amount of time the battery is
used in back up. |
17. Q: How do I know when to replace
the battery for my UPS? |
A:
When the battery fault light indicator is lit, this
usually means something is wrong with the battery.
To check the battery for defects, use a voltmeter.
If the battery measures 12 volts, or above, it may
be fine. If the battery measures less than 12 volts
and cannot be charged back to normal, the battery
is defective and needs to be replaced. |