Power surges are never a good thing – especially when you have work to do. When a power surge occurs, the chances are that your surge protector will automatically cut the power supply to your electronic device.
If it’s an electric fan or a clock, that might not be that big a problem. However, if you were working on your computer, the chances are that you had a mini heart attack when the screen went black. You just lost your data!
However, by using a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) surge protector, you have the advantage of a battery. Said backup will kick in, therefore preventing your unit from shutting down.
From that category, we have the APC Back-UPS surge protector. Let’s see how good of a job it can do in keeping your devices up and running.
About The Product
The APC Back-UPS surge protector is a device that will cut off supply from the main power line in case of a power surge – but tap into a separate external battery so that your device will not be forcefully shut down.
It is the kind of product that you will want to buy in case you need a backup to your computer, router, or telephone line. This way, if the power gets disconnected, you will not have to suffer the loss of important data.
Featuring 9 outlets along with 2 USB charging ports, you may connect this surge protector to a variety of electronics. 6 of these outlets connect to the backup battery while 3 of them are regular surge protectors.
The UPS surge protector can be bought at different battery capacities – from 425VA to 850VA. You may choose them depending on the device that you want to protect and supply. Now, we’ll list a few specifications that might be of interest to you:
The Results
First of all, not only is this a great gadget to have around the house – but it’s also a great thing to carry with you anywhere you go. Basically, it acts as an external battery.
If you have something such as a telescope – or anything that requires being plugged-in, you can easily take this one with you. Depending on the power requirements of the plugged gadget, this may last as long as 30 minutes – or even a few hours.
Computers will not last as much, just a bit over 10 or 20 minutes; however, if you plug in a tablet, it will not consume as much – therefore, it will allow you to make use of its power for a longer time.
Alarms are fairly unnerving, but you can temporarily mute them until the condition resolves itself. Critical events, however, such as battery replacement, will require that you turn off the unit.
Many other LED indicators tell you of the status of the surge protector, as well as your power system. You may also adjust the sensitivity to wave fluctuations so that your gadgets remain safe.
The USB port acts very fast. While normally it would take 4 hours to charge gadgets such as a phone, this one will get the job done in 2 or 3 hours.
What Other People Say
Opinions vary regarding this UPS surge protector. Some people say that it’s the best thing they ever purchased while others claim it is not as durable as it is advertised to be.
At the same time, people advise that you pay attention to which unit you buy. The ones with a lower capacity will obviously not last as long as the ones that go higher.
Some customers also complained about the fact that this unit is rather bulky, making it not as portable as they would have liked. However, if you do not plan to move it too much, it should be an appropriate choice for your house.
What We Liked
We liked the fact that the high-capacity ones have the ability to keep a computer going for a decent time; not enough to binge-watch a TV series, but long enough to wrap up your work and save it for the time being.
We also liked that there is a multitude of ports and outlets for us to choose from. Therefore, if we want to use a traditional power cord or a USB cable, you have both options going for you.
What We Didn’t Like
Like many other customers, we did not particularly like the fact that this unit is so bulky. It makes it fairly difficult to carry it around in case you need it outdoors. Perhaps if they worked on making it more compact, it would be more useful.
Buying Advice
This surge protector can be bought from several shops, but the most convenient place would most likely be Amazon. There are various sellers providing it, each with more convenient prices and attractive discounts.
Source: apc.com
Also, depending on the seller, you may get free shipping thrown in the package. This is a particularly good option if you live far away from their headquarters – or even in another country.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this surge protector is a good way to keep your devices safe from power surges, since it will successfully stop electricity spikes. At the same time, it will allow you to continue your work in case the power gets cut off.
It may not be perfect, but it’s highly functional. If you plan on using it in your apartment or in an office, it will literally be a lifesaver. This way, you will not be crying over data that was lost during a power surge.