TenOC wrote:
I thought that a UPS is simply a battery that supplies power if the main 110 volts goes out. It is to give you time to save your work so you do not lose it due to a power failure.
You are completely correct. Many have been told hearsay, speculation, advertising and other myths. They did not first demand spec numbers. No specification is a first indication of junk science reasoning.
Power brick contains robust protection - superior to what any power strip protector or UPS claims. Numbers. How many joules does a power strip claim to absorb? Hundreds? Thousands? That is near zero joules. Electronics will routinely convert those joules into rock stable, low DC voltage to safely power semiconductors.
How many joules does a UPS claim to absorb? Even less. Hundreds? Where is the protection?
Anyone in a first year EE course learns why that battery does not absorbs surges like a capacitor. To a surge current, that battery is electrically equivalent to wire. It simply gives a surge more paths destructively into attached appliances. Just another example of so many recommendations that violate even the most basic electrical concepts.
The word surge applies to so many completely different and unrelated anomalies. Which anomaly concerns your? Power factor, EMC/EMI, floating neutral, frequency variation, low voltage, open safety ground, blackout, high voltage, no earth ground, brownout (sag), or microsecond current spike? Subjective discussions (without numbers) are how junk science and urban myths get created. All are subjectively described by so many as a surge. Instead move on to which threats are actually a concern.
Campground power often requires protection from brownouts, floating neutral, high voltage, and open safety ground. A surge protector for campgrounds must address those anomalies. Some highly recommended manufacturers should appear - to address those issues.
Computers must work just fine on any voltage that dims incandescent bulbs to 50% intensity or doubles intensity. Your laptop must be even more robust. It must be perfectly happy when 120 volts rises to above 265 volts. Therein lies one example of surge protection denied by others and that exists in all laptop power bricks.
At greater risk items include motorized appliances. So that surge protector must protect from low voltages and brownouts - to protect those more 'at risk' appliances.
Again, power strip or UPS does not even claim to protect hardware - as so many want to believe. 1000-2000 joules is near zero protection. Large enough to claim 100% protection in subjective sales brochures.
Power brick already has robust protection. To say more, then each anomaly must be discussed separately. Soundbyte or two paragraph posts are best ignored; probably outright lies or created by victims of myths, hearsay, and advertising. Every useful recommendation also includes reasons why and with numbers.
