Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS’s for short) are invaluable devices. They work just like a surge protector or power strip, but they have a battery inside and circuitry that switches the power from your wall outlet to the internal battery in a fraction of a second during a power outage, so if you’re working at your desktop computer and and it’s plugged into a UPS, the computer won’t shut off during a power outage and you’ll have 1-2 hours to finish what you’re working on and properly shut it down. Then when power is restored the UPS switches power back to the wall outlet and charges the internal battery. In addition, most UPS’s come with software you can install that will let the UPS shut down your computer automatically during a power outage when the UPS battery is almost fully drained.
There are so many uses for UPS’s. In addition to being excellent for desktop computers, I use one just for my internet modem and router. I’ve found here in Cambria that there are many times when the power will go out but not the internet, so I can keep working, etc. The UPS’s battery can power a modem and router for many, many hours. So if you are working on a laptop that has it’s own battery or a desktop computer that is also plugged in to a UPS you can continue to use the internet. Same goes for a TV plugged in to a UPS.
There are a few brands that make good UPS’s like Eaton, APC, Tripp Lite, and CyperPower, but I have never had an issue with APC products. I like this one in particular for most home uses:
It has eight outlets and all offer surge protection but four of them on the side labeled ‘Battery Backup + Surge Protection’ also provide battery backup. So you would plug your computer, modem, router, and TV into those outlets so that they don’t immediately shut off during a power outage. And plug non-essential stuff which can lose power without issue during an outage into the other outlets. Easy.
Other good choices:
Feel free to reach out if you have questions about this. I hope this helps.
-Cambria Tech Guy
(PS – I’m not affiliated with APC)