same here. a surge and spike protection is a "one shot" solution. if it happens, it need maintenance and most times a replacement. people often forget this. an ups, how small it is, can filter both and only need only few attention, at least ~5 years later a new accu which is not expensive. an ups cut off any spike within milliseconds [power] -> [down converter] -> [accu with bypass option] -> [up converter] -> [pc] so called online ups, working anytime.
Well, that depends on how extreme the surges or spikes are. Either way, as I indicated in post #6 above, surge and spike protectors do wear out. Sadly, there are no "wear indicators" or warnings. So it is recommended they be replaced every 2 years, even though they may "appear" to be working fine. I first had this explained to me in tech school using a motorcycle helmet as an analogy. You can drop a motorcycle helmet on a hard floor 10 times and odds are, you will not "see" any damage. HOWEVER, it is weakened, just a little, each and every time it takes a hit. Eventually, it will crack open. BUT, get knocked off your bike and slam into a curb with your brand new helmet, the helmet may only take that "one shot" severe hit and need to be replaced - hopefully sacrificing itself to save your noggin. Of course, the batteries in a UPS wear out and need to be replaced too - usually every 2 - 5 years - depending on how often they are called on, and how long they have to provide backup power. Fortunately, most UPS designed for home and small offices have affordable (if you shop around) "user-replaceable" batteries.
There are two options. Use both if you're paranoid, I only use the first. Whole-house surge protection Whole-house surge protection devices are installed in your meter box by an electrician. These devices limit the amount of electricity entering your home so any additional voltage is stopped from messing with the electronic components in your appliances and systems. They also protect you from power surges that start from inside your home. Surge-protected powerboards Powerboards with surge protection can be purchased from your local hardware store. They don’t stop power surges from entering your home, they only stop surges AFTER they have entered. And they can only protect devices and appliances that are plugged directly into them. Electronic systems like alarm systems and CCTV systems, home-automation systems can’t be protected by just plugging them into a surge-protected powerboard.
Ummm, nope! Sorry but that is not true. In fact, that is one of whole-house surge protection's biggest limitations and a critical point the marketing weenies for such products conveniently forget to tell potential buyers. As I noted in post #6 above, Also, while here I will add, never connect a UPS to a surge and spike protector. Likewise, never connect a surge and spike protector to a UPS. The AVR circuits may see the power coming from a surge and spike protector as "dirty" and shut down to protect itself, and the connected devices. And if the surge and spike protector is put on the output side of the UPS, the AVR circuits may see the load as unstable. Note these warnings are found in most (every one that I have seen) UPS user guide. See this APC FAQ for more information on this.
