Re: UPS Suggestions

["James H. H. Lampert" <jamesl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think Best became Powerware (which, as Mr. Piotrowski mentioned, is a 
division of Eaton).

Our Powerware didn't last very long. Not even as long as our first two 
APCs. On the other hand, we have an APC to which I've fitted auxiliary 
cooling fans, that hasn't yet even given a "worn-out battery" warning, 
and worked just fine when we lost power a few months ago.

Cut-rate off-brand batteries have turned out to be a false economy.

My number one recommendation is, if your box doesn't have dual redundant 
power (i.e., two separate AC cords, each of which can run the box by 
itself) is to buy a standalone transfer switch, which will give you the 
same effect.

In either case, you plug one AC input into the UPS, and plug the other 
AC input either into a second UPS, or directly into the wall: that way, 
both would have to fail at the same time, in order to bring your system 
down.

Also, if you have a "relay contact" monitoring cable connected, and you 
get shutdowns every time the UPS runs a self-test, it's a simple matter 
to cut a relay into the line, that would block the monitoring signals if 
the utility power is good.

--
JHHL