Thoughts on using a USB disk on a cheapo UPS?

[Al Dykes]

I don't have a high opinion of an external USB disk powered by a
wall-wart as industrial-strength kit. Having the PC powered on a UPS
and the Wall wart on house power has potential problems, IMO.

What are the thoughts of putting retail external USB disks on
entry-level UPS systems? These systems are stepped-sine power and
they don't specify switch-over time.

??

 

[Yousuf Khan]

I don't have a high opinion of an external USB disk powered by a
wall-wart as industrial-strength kit. Having the PC powered on a UPS
and the Wall wart on house power has potential problems, IMO.

What are the thoughts of putting retail external USB disks on
entry-level UPS systems? These systems are stepped-sine power and
they don't specify switch-over time.

I've always found UPS's have a life of less than 3 years.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Arno]

I don't have a high opinion of an external USB disk powered by a
wall-wart as industrial-strength kit. Having the PC powered on a UPS
and the Wall wart on house power has potential problems, IMO.

The wall-type PSUs are electrically insulated, there should not
be a problem, except perhaps aestetically.

What are the thoughts of putting retail external USB disks on
entry-level UPS systems? These systems are stepped-sine power and
they don't specify switch-over time.

To what end? It should work, but it only makes sense if you
have the PC on an UPS as well. Also take care to use the
VA rating (V * A as stated on the plug), as switching power
plugs may not have power factor correction.

Personally I have my external USB disks on the PCs
12V power rail, but that takes decoupling (I use
a pair of STPS 3045 for that) and dampening (0.2R or
so, but a 4A fast-acting fuse also dampens enough
for two disks).

Arno

 

[Al Dykes]

The wall-type PSUs are electrically insulated, there should not
be a problem, except perhaps aestetically.

They are also made by the lowest bidder. Of course, plugging one into
a UPS doesn't change that.

To what end? It should work, but it only makes sense if you
have the PC on an UPS as well. Also take care to use the
VA rating (V * A as stated on the plug), as switching power
plugs may not have power factor correction.

Voltage differentials, ground loops?

 

[Rod Speed]

I don't have a high opinion of an external USB disk powered by a
wall-wart as industrial-strength kit. Having the PC powered on a UPS
and the Wall wart on house power has potential problems, IMO.

What are the thoughts of putting retail external USB disks on
entry-level UPS systems? These systems are stepped-sine power

Thats irrelevant. They all rectify the mains, none use the mains directly.

and they don't specify switch-over time.

I prefer always on/continuous UPSs myself.

They dont necessarily cost anymore now.

 

[Arno]

They are also made by the lowest bidder. Of course, plugging one into
a UPS doesn't change that.

Yes. But the insulation requirement ensures that you do not get
ground loops or current over ground.

Voltage differentials, ground loops?

No ground loops with the standard wall plugs. Voltage differential
is not a problem with wide-input ones. With heavy transformer types
it should not be an issue either, but they are less resilient.

Arno

 

[Ed Light]

I've always found UPS's have a life of less than 3 years.

My APC 350 and 700 have gone way past where they wanted me to replace
the batteries.

I always run my external HD off the 700.

--
Ed Light

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