[H-GEN] U.P.S

[Alan H]

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<snip from Jason Parker-Burlingham>
> This brings me to a question I've been wanting to have answered for a
> few months now.  Is it actually possible/feasible to buy a UPS for
> the home environment that will protect the computer(s) plugged into it
> from a `direct' (FSVO) lightning strike?
</snip>

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I might not know a huge amount about Linux and computers, but someone has
finally asked a question that I feel qualified to answer!

As an Electrical Engineer in a former life, I would humbly like to offer my
advice:
I have never 'practised' in Australia, but in other countries where I have
'practised', I have often recommended and installed a surge protection
device.
The surge protection that you see advertised as being built into 'multi plug
boards' is a good start.
They offer good low-level protection against surges and spikes in the
electricity supply, they would typically be effective at protecting against
spikes caused by the turning off of domestic appliances (like vacuum
cleaners, refrigerators etc).

However, they have limited ability to protect against the likes of a
lightning strike.
In order to protect against the massive energy surge of a lightning strike,
you need something better - Something that has the physical ability to
absorb a huge surge!
The best protection is a surge protection device, the kind usually fitted to
the electricity switchboard.
There were (in other countries) 2 varieties.
One was 'single use' (a bit like a fuse cartridge), the other was able to
absorb more than 1 strike (more expensive also!)
Another advantage of this type of surge protection is that it will protect
your entire house.

If anyone is interested, I could do a bit of research, and try to find out
what is available here.

I would recommend the use of a surge protection device in conjunction with a
UPS.

UPS's:
The cheaper UPS's normally provide battery backup to run equipment in the
event of a power failure.
Only the more expensive UPS's actually provide protection against 'dips &
surges' (or brownouts).
The cheaper units switch over to using battery output whenever they detect a
dip in power supply.
This will provide an adequate level of protection for most uses, but for
'more sensitive' equipment, you should use a more expensive unit.
These more expensive units actually supply their output permanently from the
'battery side' of the UPS, and hence are able to supply a fully regulated &
controlled power supply.

-Alan Harrison.




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