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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.