Voltage Regulation and my Thinkpad(s)

[jhrain]

For years I had the worst luck with laptops and desktop hardware. Random board failures, memory failures etc. I figured it was the norm.

One day I was in Bust Buy and I purchased a UPS with Automatic Voltage Regulation. I didn't even realize it had this. I've now been using it for more than two years and surprisingly have had ZERO hardware failures.

I'm not an electrician. I'm not an engineer. But, I had no idea how much the voltage in my home varied. The UPS came with a simple application called Bulldog that tracks voltage ups and downs. The UPS also beeps when a variation above or below certain thresholds. Everytime the A/C kicks on the box beeps letting me know it's working. So, I know there is a variance. I've had an electrician and the power company confirm the house is within acceptable tolerances. Our electrician kept a box hookeed to the house for three weeks and then graphed the voltage. He also ran the test from the electrical outlate in my office that I use for work. Nothing huge, just normal ups and downs.

I sound like an ad campaign, I know. I just had a good experience for a change and wanted to share it.

JIM

[Thinkpaddict]

That's very interesting. Would you mind telling us what specific UPS product you are using?

Thanks.

[jhrain]

That's very interesting. Would you mind telling us what specific UPS product you are using?

Thanks.

I'm using a discontinued model and cannot get under the bottom to get the model number. But, I noticed that Belkin now offers AVR across multiple devices.

http://www.belkin.com/avr/

I should also mention that I live in Tornado Alley in the mid-west. We have so many thunderstorms that I also know this device has saved my PC's before.

These devices also alarm if there is a power failure, bringing it to your attention so you can gracefully shut down a PC. Just remember in some cases you'll only get a few minutes of time before the battery itself in the UPS will run out of juice.

JIm

[sugo]

While I do believe that significant voltage fluctuations can lead to laptop failures, I never got a voltage regulartor since they are so much bigger and heavier than a surge protector.

[jhrain]

While I do believe that significant voltage fluctuations can lead to laptop failures, I never got a voltage regulartor since they are so much bigger and heavier than a surge protector.

I don't carry it with me, it sits on the floor below my desk, so for me size and weight for me wasn't a concern.

[Thinkpaddict]

That's very interesting. Would you mind telling us what specific UPS product you are using?

Thanks.

I'm using a discontinued model and cannot get under the bottom to get the model number. But, I noticed that Belkin now offers AVR across multiple devices.

http://www.belkin.com/avr/

Thank you for providing that information. I will definitely look into it, since I am completely paranoid about my Thinkpads getting hurt because of electrical problems.

[DIGITALgimpus]

I'm a big fan of APC products myself...

either way, NEVER plug a laptop or any computer directly into the wall. They should *always* be plugged into a surge protector and better yet a power conditioner.

[bill bolton]

NEVER plug a laptop or any computer directly into the wall

It depends where you are. The stability of reticulated mains power is very good in many parts of the world, so its only under circumstances of particularly demonstrated need that either a surge supressors or power conditioners are a regular necessity.

Cheers,

Bill