Can I use a BackUps UPS to protect my HDTV?

[Anonymous user]

I'm about to purchase a 275 watt HDTV, and rather than get a surge protector, a 750VA BackUps is not much more, and should provide not only surge protection but protection from sags, noise, short drops, etc.
Would this be a good form of protection? I see that APC sells AV conditioners that are several hundred dollars more. During a sag or drop, is the A/C output of the BackUps compatible with a HDTV? Thanks

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

BackUPS products are simple, when the power raises or drops below a certain threshold, the Battery will kick in and provide power. The power out of a BackUPS while on battery is a step-approximated sine wave and the transfer time is around 6-8 milliseconds. The BackUPS can filter EMI and RFI, but the lower end BackUPS cannot condition power. Home theater equipment can be very sensitive to dirty power, and a step-approximated sine wave could possibly be considered dirty.
If you are looking for cleaner power, then the SmartUPS line or the AV line would be ideal.
If you are looking for simple surge protection and battery backup, then BackUPS would work, depending of course that your HDTV has no problems with a step-approximated sine wave.

Thanks.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

I am successfully running a BR800 BackUPS RS line-interactive unit with my home AV setup. It's backing up my DLP TV which is rated for 200W, but actually pulls no more than 115W during normal operation. My TV, and likely others, have a PC-type power-supply which is just fine with step-approximated waves output from the BackUPS line.

I'd recommend a BackUPS in the RS or XS line, to get that added filtering and line boost capability. They're also able to more accurately report their watt loads through PowerChute Personal Edition, which is helpful for managing your load and runtime.

The other equipment I am backing up on this UPS is my cable DVR box, two DVD players and recorders, PS2, cable modem, wifi router, and a VCR.