I recently moved into my girlfriend's childhood home, which is quite old and has an electrical system from the 50s or 60s. While using my PC and 3D printer, I've noticed the lights in the basement flickering between dim and normal, which worries me. I had to send my motherboard for an RMA since my PC wouldn't turn on once. I'm concerned that the outdated electrical system could have caused this issue. Some folks say that a surge protector is sufficient, while others suggest that a UPS might be the better choice given my current setup. What do you think?
5 Answers
Don't overlook the electrical system itself. You should consult a qualified electrician about that old panel. After assessing that, a UPS would be a smart investment to keep your gear safe.
The flickering lights might be due to bad connections in the old wiring rather than just the age of the electrical system. But regardless, a good UPS will protect your PC from voltage drops and give you time to shut it down safely during an outage.
In my opinion, a UPS is the way to go. It provides battery backup, allowing you to save your work before shutting down during power outages. Just make sure to choose one that meets your needs.
It varies, but most UPS units provide a few minutes of backup power, enough to save your work and shut down.
A surge protector only guards against power surges, not complete power loss. If your lights are flickering, you might be experiencing brownouts. I'd definitely recommend getting a UPS; they're not too expensive and can keep your PC running smoothly even during power flickers.
Definitely go for a UPS. A good one not only provides backup power but also conditions the power to protect your devices from dirty electricity and surges.
How long can a UPS usually keep your system running?