I did until the batteries died in an old UPS. I’ve been meaning to replace the batteries for months now but haven’t been able to get around to sourcing and ordering them.

Come to think of it I should just go ahead and pick up an all new UPS the next time I’m at Costco.

Your discussion on UPS’s brings back memories. At the last firm I worked for I had UPS’s on all the computers in the office. You know, to help prevent everyone from loosing data in the event of a power failure. Then one day, in the middle of tax season no less, the power went out. Suddenly, several (including myself) found that despite that our computers were still on, the returns we were working on were dead. The software used was server based and obviously when the power went down so did the router and DSL modem. Communication cut short. A couple of the data files ended up being corrupted and I had to restore backups and all the work in progress had to be redone. Next day I had another UPS for the back room, the modem and router etc. were plugged in from there on.

I’ve got several UPSes around here: I have a big 1500 Watt APC UPS that power my main computer, plus some of my audio/video gear and one ReplayTV. I have another slightly smaller APC UPS that powers my son’s PC and all the network gear (cable modem, router, Vonage phone adapter, etc.). Then I have another UPS for my server and the Ethernet switch sitting next to it. Then I have two more UPSes that are dedicated to the two other ReplayTVs elsewhere in the house.

Rick

I took at look at my own system after reading your article and thought I was safe. Turns out the cable modem was plugged directly in the wall, whille my printer was sharing the UPS. I won’t need the printer with the power out, so I made the switch, Thanks Dan.

I have several UPSs with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation) for all my equipment and I actively check on all my clients’ connections and strongly recommend that they get similar UPSs, as well. I’ve been able to solve about 95% of the “intermittent internet disconnect” complaints that I get by simply plugging that equipment into a UPS with AVR. It’s been my experience that power sags can cause cheap switches and DSL/cable modems to go into what I call “limbo mode” — all the lights are on but the equipment isn’t actually doing anything. Simply disconnecting and reconnecting the power cables will jumpstart them but who wants to fiddle with that (assuming you’re even on-site to do so)?

Just stumbled upon this post.It’s interesting that it more or less coincides
with the 4 year anniversary of the N American blackout of 14th August 2003.I had my powerbackup in place and let me tell you,there is a great feeling of POWER (haha) if you’re the only one in the neighborhood who
has the lights on and almost everything else running as per normal.

jmh ’s comments, above, are right on.His experience is exactly like mine,
especially with regard to the UPS with AVR and the “limbo state” of
DSL/cable modems,swiitches and routers due to power sags.