On 11 Nov 2002, at 22:28, Ultra wrote:

> I don't have UPS at home, but I always wanted one.  Now I'm ready to get one.
>
<snip>
>
> **Price based on 500VA UPS while Liebert is 33% more expensive than OPTI,
> and SOLO is somewhere in between.

  When comparing UPSes, if you just look at capacity and price, it is easy
to wind up "comparing apples and oranges".

  On some UPSes, all incoming power is sent to the batteries to charge them.
 "Clean" AC power flows from the batteries to the protected equipment at all
times; the UPS acts as a surge-protector/filter even when no interruption
occurs.

  On other UPSes -- typically less expensive -- mains power flows through to
the devices, and a little is diverted to keep the batteries charged.  When
outside power fails, the UPS switches over to battery power; hopefully, so
fast that nothing will notice.

  So you have to determine which sort of device each model you're
considering is.  (I'm not familiar with OPTI or Liebert, but I believe APS
makes devices of both sorts, so you need to look at the specific model.)

  For *most* people, the more expensive battery-always devices would be
overkill for home use, and price would be the overwhelming concern.  But if
you're looking at things like warranty support, then these other factors
might also matter to you.

David Gillett

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