UPS and generator interaction?

Tue Mar 30 22:35:33 UTC 2004

> 
> We've got a APC power strip (20A vertical "zero U" mount with 14
> outlets) that failed (possibly from heat).  The circuit breaker tripped
> and would not reset.  Their response was that we had too much plugged in
> (never mind that we switched to a different 20A strip and it is working
> fine on a 20A breaker) and that while they would replace it, if the
> replacement failed they would NOT replace it.
> 
> I prefer APC for small UPSes, but I'm not impressed by support on a
> simple power strip.

That sounds like fairly decent support for a power strip. I would have 
let them replace it and see if the same thing happened. If you were 
overloading it, the breaker should be resetable. However, a cheaper 
power strip may not have as touchy a breaker or allow more power than it 
should.

They have replaced full MATRIX 5000 units, batteries and all for me a 
few times without quibbling and without any kind of extended service 
contract on them.

I'm sure someone will have already suggested that you put an ammeter on 
the load to see what is actually happening.

While I have never used APC's Zero U strip, I have heard good things 
about Baytech's version (which I've also not used). YMMV.

Deepak