UPS versus Line Conditioner

[daveleau]

I know a UPS is battery backup, but does a UPS provide the same protection a Line Conditioner would provide?

Thanks
Dave

[Nighthawk]

I think a true UPS has the computer running off a constantly-charging battery, so it would always give you the correct voltage.

[Mr. Goodbytes]

The ones that say they include voltage regulation, like the APC Pro series, have the line conditioner built in. These are the units that protect against brownouts and undervoltages that are damaging over time to your electrical equipment. Basic UPS's and surge protectors kick in when the power spikes, or goes out entirely, which is of course useful. But trying to run equipment at full steam when the electricity supplied isn't enough to cut it will only burn out solder joints and other electrical connections. If you don't have one, get it. Same goes for home theater. There are line conditioners for your equipment there too. Buy it, be thankful that you have protection. One less thing to worry about. And if the protection fails -- Warranty.

[poopboypat]

Co the UPS and conditiners Clean up the actulal picture of the TV as well? I see most of them have a jack to put a coax cable in. Is that just for surge or does it get rid of some static noise?

[sechs]

First, I'm going to point out that this thread is over five years old.

Second, power back-up and conditioning doesn't do anything for RF signals. Unless specified otherwise, you can expect those coax connectors to be purely for surge suppression.