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Which steps should I take for installing and configuring my NEW APC Back-UPS?

Issue:

Which steps should I take for installing and configuring my NEW APC Back-UPS?

Product Line:

All APC Back-UPS product families.

Environment:

All models and serial number ranges.

Cause / Resolution:

1. I just bought a Back-UPS product how do I get started?
Locate the user manual and follow its installation instructions carefully.

2. What is the most common mistake when setting up a Back-UPS product?
All Back-UPS products ship with their batteries disconnected to conform with the department of transportation. All current Back-UPS products will still turn on with the internal battery disconnected, however they will also give a repetitive audible alarm and flashing icon until the internal battery is connected. Refer to the Back-UPS product's user manual for instructions on how to connect the battery.

3. How much equipment can I plug into the Back-UPS product?
All Back-UPS products have a watt rating that denotes the maximum wattage you can plug into the battery outlets and still have runtime during a power disturbance. Please refer to the user manual for this rating. If the rating is exceeded the Back-UPS product will be overloaded. Check your equipment nameplate and look for "true power" rating in watts "W" and compare it with UPS true power rating. It's always a best practice to connect loads with no more than 80% of it's full capacity to give way for possible inrush current on startup.

4. What is the difference between the "surge only outlets" and the "backup plus surge protection outlets"?
In the event of a power failure anything plugged into the "backup plus surge protection outlets" (assuming the watt rating is not exceeded see question #3) will be supported by the internal battery inside the Back-UPS product, where as the equipment plugged into the surge only outlets will just loose power. Surge only outlet is a straight through power path from the source to the output passing the surge protection circuit. This outlet will only provide output power if input power source is available.

5. How do I know what to plug in where?
This depends on the user. APC recommends that the Computer and monitor be plugged into the "backup plus surge protection outlets", and as for any other device you need to ask yourself "When power goes out do I need to….Insert device's function".

Example: You have a 15 inch monitor, a small desktop computer, a printer, a scanner, a cable modem, speakers and a USB hub.
- When power goes out do I need to Shutdown the computer gracefully? Yes, so this would go into the battery outlets.
- When Power goes out do I need to print from the printer? No, so the Printer would be plugged into the surge only outlets.
- When Power goes out do I need to Scan something? No, so the Scanner would be plugged into the surge only outlets.
- When Power goes out, can I afford to lose internet connection? No, so internet modems should also plugged in to the UPS.

And you would repeat this with the rest of the equipment. If it turns out you have more things that need a surge only outlet it is recommended that you purchase an APC surge arrest. And if you need more Battery Backup outlets it is recommended to purchase an addition APC Back-UPS product keeping in mind not exceeding the watt rating.

6. Now that I have the Back-UPS product set up how long do I have to wait before I can use my computer?
You can immediately use your computer after it has been set up. Yes the battery will need to totally charge but it can charge while you're using your system. We do recommend caution in the event that there is a power disturbance and the battery is depleted your system might drop. Please see your user manual for charging times.

7. Does the Back-UPS product charge its internal battery when it is turned off?
Yes, all Back-UPS products with charge the internal battery while powered off accept for the Back-UPS Office model BF250 and the Back-UPS ES model BE325XX.