Uninterruptible Power Supply: is it worth it

jackio · February 2023

Hi

I have an APC UPS in the cupboard. To use it with my home setup I will need to buy several IEC to 3 pin cables.

How can I decide if it's worth it? There's some low level hum (Keys, Mic, Helix, Digitakt into XR18 into Adams T7V speakers and sub), worse with the dimmer lights which I don't need to use at all.

I'm thinking its a waste of money to buy new cables and put all the power through the UPS but I truly don't know

Danny1969 · February 2023

They are to guard against sudden power lost rather than helping with hum and noise. Most will put some noise on as they work by converting the internal batteries DC voltage into 240AC using an inverter which is a lot of digital switching.

I use a UPS live because it prevents a power outage rebooting the digital desk and losing whatever changes were made to the show file. I did use one in the studio too but only on the main Mac.

Every UPS has a maximum load it can handle in watts ... so don't put a load of heavy loads on it unless it's a big beast.

jackio · February 2023

Perfect. Thanks Danny, I will return it to the cupboard

Devil#20 · February 2023

The UPS is to stop overcurrents from back emf's due to rate of change of electromagnetic flux when you get a sudden power loss. They're a good idea on expensive electronics, hi-fi, servers, etc. Unless they are specifically designed to condition the power supply then they aren't going to do anything about noise. Power conditioners are a different animal and are generally pretty damn expensive.

octatonic · February 2023

I have a 1500VA UPS in the studio.
It is critical to guard against outages.
It doesn't help with noise at all- you need an electrician for that.

jackio · February 2023

Brilliant help, thank you all

spark240 · February 2023

I guess it’s all about how many outages have toy experienced so far …and what have to lost because of it….personally I can’t even recall the last time our power went off unexpectedly.

octatonic · February 2023

spark240 said:

I guess it’s all about how many outages have toy experienced so far …and what have to lost because of it….personally I can’t even recall the last time our power went off unexpectedly.

It only takes one to completely hose a drive if the conditions are wrong.
Which is why a UPS, plus robust backup policy plus offsite additional backup is the belt and braces approach.

Most people would be better focussing on the latter two- having backups alone is better than having a UPS alone.
Having everything and you massively reduce the chances of data loss.

Stuckfast · February 2023

Probably overkill for a home studio really. I've lost data for all sorts of stupid reasons over the years, but literally never because of a power outage in the UK.

hollywoodrox · February 2023

I suggested one to a DJ friend who was concerned about loss of power by limiters tripping affecting his digital desk’s Hard Drive

octatonic · February 2023

Stuckfast said:

Probably overkill for a home studio really. I've lost data for all sorts of stupid reasons over the years, but literally never because of a power outage in the UK.

I have, just the once though.
It was the US though.

Danny1969 · February 2023

Stuckfast said:

Probably overkill for a home studio really. I've lost data for all sorts of stupid reasons over the years, but literally never because of a power outage in the UK.

Agreed although It's not just a power outage though ... someone could plug a faulty item into the mains ring and trip the breaker which will cause the same effect.

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Uninterruptible Power Supply: is it worth it

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