UPS and power protection for computers and network gear
Power cuts, dips and surges damage equipment and corrupt data. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) keeps equipment running long enough to ride out short outages or shut down safely.
What to protect
- Servers and storage devices, which can lose data if power is cut suddenly
- The router, firewall and network switches, so the internet and phones stay up
- CCTV recorders, so recording continues during a power cut
- Desktop computers used for important work
What not to plug in
Do not connect laser printers, heaters, kettles or other high-power devices to a UPS. They draw large currents and can overload it.
Choosing a UPS
- Add up the power of the equipment you want to protect, in watts.
- Choose a UPS rated comfortably above that, so it is not running near its limit.
- Decide how long it must run: a few minutes to shut down safely, or longer to keep working through a short outage.
- For servers and sensitive equipment, or where a generator takes over, consider a line-interactive or online (double conversion) UPS rather than a basic standby model.
- Use the UPS software and USB or network connection, so servers shut down automatically before the battery runs out.
Look after it
- Keep the UPS in a cool, ventilated place. Heat shortens battery life.
- Test it now and then by checking that equipment stays on when the UPS is unplugged from the wall.
- Replace batteries when the UPS warns you, typically every three to five years.
- During thunderstorms, unplug equipment that is not on a surge-protected supply.
Still stuck?
Download the remote support tool from our remote support page and call us on +264 83 376 4016, Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00. You can also email info@microtechnamibia.com.