Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!samsung!cs.utexas.edu!chinacat!chip From: chip@chinacat.unicom.com (Chip Rosenthal) Newsgroups: comp.unix.sysv386 Subject: Re: UPS Message-ID: <1991May22.175630.16468@chinacat.unicom.com> Date: 22 May 91 17:56:30 GMT References: <1991May20.173008.3653@ico.isc.com> <1991May21.070537.15809@rfengr.com> Organization: Unicom Systems Development, Inc. Lines: 39 In article <1991May21.070537.15809@rfengr.com> rfarris@rfengr.com (Rick Farris) writes: >I want to have an hour's worth of UPS capacity. What are you going to be doing for that hour while all the printers and terminals lie dead waiting for power to return? It's your money - but unless you've got unusual conditions, 99% of all power failures (SWAG statistics) are going to be measured on the order of milliseconds. I don't want any more then ten minutes of capacity from the UPS - if power isn't back in five minutes then it's time to do a shutdown. A UPS which keeps things running for extremely long durations of time isn't of interest to me. What I'd find important is a UPS which isn't too impatient about returning back on-line. You can get some real crap coming through - and some false starts - when power returns. I think it's critical that a UPS takes its time and ensures power is solid and stable before giving the green light. I've been using Unison UPS's. They are pretty inexpensive for a true UPS, and seem to do the trick. They've got a port I can monitor through a serial line and effect an automatic shutdown. Unfortunately, they use a DIN connector instead of something easier to work with (e.g. a DB). Also, they use that dorky flat profile box, so the thing is supposed to to be able to sit on a peecee. I've only been using them for about six months, so I don't know how they are on battery life and cost/hassle of battery replacement. I home I'm not in for any rude surprises. I've heard good things about Clary supplies. People also seem to say nice things about the Best supplies. Although the Best isn't a true UPS they are reputed to have very good ferromagnetic filtering. Myself, I'm lusting after a Toshiba 1KVA unit - but damn they are expensive. The spring storm season seems to have passed, so I think I can afford another six months of waffling. -- Chip Rosenthal | Don't play so Unicom Systems Development 512-482-8260 | loud, Mr. Collins.