How to protect power & coax before a SMT2200RM2U?

[BillP]

Hi,

So I have a SMT2200RM2U directly connected to a wall outlet. Behind the UPS is a cable modem, router, switch, server, etc. I realize that the UPS provides some protection from surges, but I'd like stronger protection. I also know that APC allows their surge protectors to be connected to an APC UPS output without voiding the warranty, but that won't help me here as I want to protect the UPS itself and the coax going to the cable modem.

What options do I have for providing surge protection, to the UPS and coax, before the UPS?

Thank you.

[BillP]

HI NA

We don't recommend plugging in a surge protection device before a UPS.  This FAQ will explain why http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA158852/.

We do have a range of data line surge protection devices such as http://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/products/APC-ProtectNet-standalone-surge-protector-for-10-100-1000-Bas....  Although unfortunately we don't have one for coax cables.

Regards

Matt

[BillP]

On 9/10/2018 6:15 AM, Matt said:

HI NA

We don't recommend plugging in a surge protection device before a UPS.  This FAQ will explain why http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA158852/.

We do have a range of data line surge protection devices such as http://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/products/APC-ProtectNet-standalone-surge-protector-for-10-100-1000-Bas....  Although unfortunately we don't have one for coax cables.

Regards

Matt

Thanks Matt. I don't understand why APC doesn't build better surge protection into their APC UPS units - especially, the higher end units.

The relevant portion of the first link that you provide appears to be this:

"Plugging your UPS into a surge protector:
In order for your UPS to get the best power available, you should plug your UPS directly into the wall receptacle. Plugging your UPS into a surge protector may cause the UPS to go to battery often when it normally should remain online. This is because other, more powerful equipment may draw necessary voltage away from the UPS which it requires to remain online. In addition, it may compromise the ground connection which the UPS needs in order to provide adequate surge protection. All APC Back-UPS and Smart-UPS products provide proper surge suppression for power lines without the need of additional protection."

If I'm reading the above correctly and I use an APC surge protector before the UPS and nothing else besides coax and the UPS is connected to that surge protector there shouldn't be an issue. Correct?

[BillP]

Hello - 

Connecting a surge protector upstream of the UPS can sometimes cause issues related to harmonics due to the filters built into both products. For the best possible performance we would recommend that you plug the UPS directly into the wall and then attach your load directly to the UPS. The one way that you can really improve things is by making sure that all possible access points (Coax, Ethernet, etc) are surge protected as well. This prevents "back door" surges from damaging your equipment. Since most computer manufacturers now put their communications ports directly on the motherboard, these ports can provide a direct path for damaging transients. 

It's important to remember that all Smart-UPS surge protection meets all UL and CBEMA standards. This means that the protection they provide is more than ample for any type of IT loads and additional protection (aside from data line protection) is not needed. 

Liam

[BillP]

On 9/11/2018 12:42 PM, Liam said:

It's important to remember that all Smart-UPS surge protection meets all UL and CBEMA standards. This means that the protection they provide is more than ample for any type of IT loads and additional protection (aside from data line protection) is not needed. 

Liam

The surge protection value on APC surge protectors (e.g., SurgeArrest Performance) is multiple times that of APC UPS units (e.g, SMT2200). Looking at the numbers it appears that the surge protection offered by APC UPS units is in fact quite low. Could you please elaborate? Thanks.

[BillP]

Hello - Sorry for the delay

You are correct, we do offer high end surge products with very low let through voltages. These are generally geared towards customers with very specific needs such as audiophile grade audio systems, very sensitive testing equipment, etc etc. The capabilities of these surge products far exceeds the needs of a typical IT application. The Smart-UPS line is geared towards small/medium business applications such as Computer Rooms, Wiring Closets, Data Centers, etc... In these applications the Smart-UPS surge suppression is more than adequate and meets all of the specifications of both UL and CBEMA.

You can find some more information on the CBEMA power curve here:

https://www.schneider-electric.us/en/faqs/FA157473/

All Smart-UPS products are designed for use in a commercial environment and should deliver all of the performance and reliability that you expect in a professional solution. I would not hesitate to use a Smart-UPS for your primary Surge Suppression. 

Hope this helps,

Liam

[BillP · Accepted solution]

On 9/18/2018 10:33 AM, Liam said:

Hello - Sorry for the delay

You are correct, we do offer high end surge products with very low let through voltages. These are generally geared towards customers with very specific needs such as audiophile grade audio systems, very sensitive testing equipment, etc etc. The capabilities of these surge products far exceeds the needs of a typical IT application. The Smart-UPS line is geared towards small/medium business applications such as Computer Rooms, Wiring Closets, Data Centers, etc... In these applications the Smart-UPS surge suppression is more than adequate and meets all of the specifications of both UL and CBEMA.

You can find some more information on the CBEMA power curve here:

https://www.schneider-electric.us/en/faqs/FA157473/

All Smart-UPS products are designed for use in a commercial environment and should deliver all of the performance and reliability that you expect in a professional solution. I would not hesitate to use a Smart-UPS for your primary Surge Suppression. 

Hope this helps,

Liam

Thank you.