APC Back-UPS Pro USB 500VA (BP500CLR) UPS System

Let me begin by stating that I want to know as much about anything technical or mechanical as my spouse wants to know about how to work the washing machine or how to clean a litter box. I don't! My feelings about having a full understanding of how to work on my computer or my car are simple. As long as it works and gets me where I want to go, I'm happy. Thank goodness I raised one computer guru and married a mechanic. That said, I find that my "computer guy" son has found that it was necessary to move away from home and then to get married and my husband knows very little (less than myself) about the "workings" of our wonderful computer. He rarely even uses it. Imagine that! He prefers to read. Be that as it may, I find that I must learn a few things so I can cripple by until my son has time for me.

One of my first encounters with this mysterious world was related to an Uninterrupted Power Source. I had one (in all fairness, it was 5 years old) which I noticed did not do it's job on two occasions, the last time wiping out the "mother board" (so deemed my son). So, I began on a tenuous journey to learn about and find what I needed.

I would like to share with you, first, the different types of electrical "events" that may be detrimental to your computer. At this point, I would like to proclaim, that I have never lived so close to an Energy Plant (3 miles) and had so much trouble with electricity in my life. Of each of the following events I describe below, I can honestly say we are victims:

Sags—These are sometimes referred to as brownouts. It involves a short term decrease in voltage levels. Bell labs asserts that this problem accounts for 87% of all power disturbances.

Blackout—This would be, of course, a total loss of power.

Spike—An instantaneous and dramatic increase in voltage. (like a bolt of lightening)

Surge—A short term increase in voltage.

Noise—Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) which disrupts the normal utility power.

I purchased my APC (www.apcc.com) 650 Back-UPS at a wholesale warehouse club (Sam's) for $249.00. After bringing it home, I did the thing my son always preaches to me….."Read the docs (documentations)".

Since I make no claim of being technologically gifted, I won't go into any more of the technical aspects. I will say it was really quite simple to set up. After reading the "docs", I discovered that you must open the unit to hook the battery wires in order for it to function. (hmmmmm, wonder if I did that to the last one? And if you didn't laugh, you are off my list!).

The basic things to remember were to inspect the package to be sure everything on the list was there (check), find a location that is in a protected area that is free of excessive dust and yet has adequate air flow (check), connect UPS to power (check), check the rear panel-top wiring fault indicator (check), connect equipment to UPS, NOT PRINTER, (check), connect phone cables to surge protection (check), switch "On" and test (check), and finally, connect computer interface cable (optional)(check).

Now, it has been almost a year since I hooked this UPS to my computer and I have not had an electrical mishap as a result of weird energy activity. It takes up minimal space. I taped the receipt and a "shorthand" connection card to the top. We continue to get surges, brownouts, blackouts, and right now a quarter of Oklahoma is without electricity due to an ice storm. Fortunately, we are not one of those, but we have a new storm today. I generally have about 20 minutes to save data and shutdown my computer before I run out of power. Actually, it says 26 minutes, but I just don't care to press the envelope. If the power really goes off, I shut everything down.

The battery life should be 3 to 6 years, depending on "number of discharge cycles and ambient temperature". If it becomes necessary to recharge, it should take 5 to 10 hours.

I contacted customer service on one occasion regarding a dead printer. Customer service was quite kind and civil, especially when they figured out I was no Einstein. He walked me through checking several things. I heard him suck in a huge sigh when I told him my printer was plugged in to the UPS. What I discovered through his help was that I only thought I had plugged the printer into the unit. Then I really started unraveling the nightmare of wires behind my computer and found where everything plugged in. He even stayed with me and gave a couple of suggestions on the printer, which came back on after I unplugged and plugged the printer back into the outlet. He did not even have a condescending tone, even though I'm sure he rolled laughing on the floor when he hung up.

All things considered, I am quite pleased with this purchase. I believe it has saved my computer on several occasions. It really was simple to connect, test and utilize. The instructions were easy to read and came in English, Spanish, and French. It came with an extra phone cord, a computer interface cord and a CD-ROM with PowerChute plus for Windows NT/Windows 2000, Windows NT, and Windows 95/98. It is designed to shut your computer down in the event of a blackout. I have chosen not to use this as computer space is at a premium to me and if I am going to be gone or unavailable to my computer, I shut it down (given our electrical history).

I would recommend this unit to others, not only because it does the job I wanted but the customer service is really helpful.

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Additional Update Information April 24, 2004

My husband got custody of this unit during the divorce. So far as I know, it is still working and he, in fact, has started using the computer more. I never thought I'd see that day. When I left (2001) it was still doing it's job just like it should.