TX750 w/ APFC - problem with blackouts & UPS's

[NoviceTechie]

I hope this is the right venue to ask this question, but my neighborhood has been under construction for the past month. As such, there has been alot of blackouts and brownouts & I'm concerned

 

Since my tx750 is brand new, I wanted to find a way to extend its life, despite the blackouts and brownouts. People have encouraged me to purchase UPS system, so if there is a blackout - I can shut the computer down, or if a brownout, the UPS should even out the electricity.

 

My question, please forgive me if this is the wrong venue to ask, but since the TX series has Active PFC, will there by any conflict in regards to a UPS system? If I understand correctly, the only real issues will be when a blackout happens and the UPS kicks in, the PSU may or may not stay alive because the PFC/UPS incompatibility? Is that correct?

 

I was told the conflict may be because most UPS's use a simulated or approximated sine wave which is different from what the PSU "wants." So it may strain the PSU causing an audible buzzing when the battery system kicks in..

 

My question - is it worth considering buying a UPS even though my TX750 has PFC active? And also since most UPS have AVR (Auto Voltage Correction, which kinda sounds like line conditioning to me), is there any reason to believe the AVR could adversely affect a PFC active PSU?

[RAM GUY]

You should use an APC with True sign wave or you may have power issues, but I would suggest directing this question to the manufacturer of the APC or battery back you want to use.

[NoviceTechie]

I'll mail the MFG, but I thought it better to ask Corsair because the generic response from the MFG like APC or Cyberpower rarely answers the question since they don't reference the specific PSU company..

 

I wish I could afford a True Sign UPS - unfortunately for retail consumers, its hard to justify nearly 3/4 the cost of the computer to a UPS =/

 

Would this be one of the situations wherein its just better to just buy a Surge Protector and hope for the best?

 

But if you've had experience with Approximated/Simulated Sine wave UPS's, do they conflict with the TX series from corsair in any way? I'm just afraid that in the long run, whether I have a blackout/brownout or not, simply being connected to a UPS could adversely shorten my TX750's life..

 

Supplemental question if you don't mind. If a blackout occurs, what is the best way to react? Should I turn the Surge Protector off, turn the PSU switch to OFF?

[RAM GUY]

I am sorry but we have no data on APC's or battery backup's we do not test them. But If you do purchase one I would just check with the reseller if it does not work for you will they let you return it is about all I can suggest. And do a search for the unit you plan on getting with Google and see if others have reported problems with any PSU using APFC technology as far as I know most if not all desktop PSU's are using this technolgy.

[NoviceTechie]

No problem, I completely understand your point of view. I did mail CyberPower to see if they have any suggestions.

 

Supplemental question if you don't mind. If a blackout occurs, what is the best way to react? Should I turn the Surge Protector off, turn the PSU switch to OFF? Or what would be the best procedure to take during a BlackOut?

[RAM GUY]

Most surge protectors can protect from that and just turn off the power but check with the maker of the surge protector you use they are not all equal.

Most of the cheep ones are not surge protected at all just a power strip.

If they offer protection on connected hardware (IE pay to replace you computer TV ect.) they are usually pretty good but check with a Google search is always best I found in the past.