creating a new home network

[Anonymous user]

Hi all,

Looking for suggestion/recommendation on an APC solution for the following home network:

1) 3-4 year old Dell PC running Windows XP w/a 17'' monitor (Forget the model - nothing fancy)
2) iMac 27'' screen
3) Wireless Router
4) Cable Modem
5) Netgear ReadyNAS NV+
6) HP Multifunction Printer

I was looking at the BR1200, BR1300LCD and BR1500LCD. The specs look so close, 1500 has more watts but 1200 has more Joules protection. I am a complete novice here, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, assuming this setup will allow me to plug in everything mentioned above into the APC unit, then just plug the APC unit into the wall - no other protection/layers required?

Thanks!

[Erasmus_apc]

Looks like you have the following load:

iMac - 365 watt max (based on Apple site)
Dell PC - 300 watt max, or more?
Router - 20 watt?
Modem - 10-15 watt?
NAS - 50w (based on Netgear site)
HP Printer - depends on if this is ink or laser...but a few hundred watts when printing is not unreasonable

So we have a total of over well over 700 watts assuming all the devices are "maxing" their current draw, and that is without the printer calculated in. The 1500VA UPS' are really the only option for your use, since of the potential for high current draw exists.

We generally do not recommend printers of any kind (but most importantly laser printers) to be plugged into a UPS, due to both the power draw characteristics sometimes caused by running motor-based parts, and also because their inrush current can be extremely high when said parts spool up. Power draw is worse on laser printers. Another issue that needs to be considered is if any of your devices use an Active Power Factor Corrected power supply, which generally can have issues running off the step approximated output of a Back-UPS unit when the UPS goes to battery. Active PFC devices are at risk for shutting down/rebooting. I looked online and it seems that the iMac does not have issues with Back-UPS RS units, based on Apple customer feedback, so you should be ok with the BR1500/BR1500LCD.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Erasmus,

You have been a great help! I looked at the ReadyNAS support forums, and they mention the 1500VA USB feature works well with the ReadyNAS to help shut it down in case of an outage. Seems like the 1500LCD does not have that feature.

Therefore, I think my decision is simple, 1500VA 120v model.

I can easily leave the printer off if you think that is best. I read the warnings, was not going to put in the battery back up outlets, just the surge protected outlet, but I can just bypass the APC unit if you think that is best.

Thanks again!

[Erasmus_apc · Accepted solution]

Putting a printer on the surge outlets of the UPS could also cause issues with the UPS going falsely onto battery for brief periods of time or exhibiting other unexpected symptoms. A similar concept occurs when you plug in a hair dryer and turn it on in a small bathroom, or when the A/C turns on in many homes; lights flicker, breakers may trip, etc. due to stress on the circuit. In the case of the UPS "being the circuit", it may respond by going to battery, or in the worst case depending on the severity of the event, turn off. While this is not 100% guaranteed to happen, with other load already on the UPS it is likely and so is best avoided.