APC Smart-UPS 420VA - UPS - 420 VA

The APC Smart-UPS 420 is a small surge protection & battery backup device. It will protect your Server, PC, Network Switch or Router from power failure or even a power surge.

Many users of mission-critical applications need to be sure that if the power goes down for a few minuets, they have time to save their open files and shutdown cleanly. In fact many want to run their system on battery until the mains comes back on-line. The award ...
...software that is included is APC PowerChute, some of the UPSs we have had included PowerChute 5-node Business Edition. This software states that it is compatible with UNIX, Microsoft Windows 3.x/95/98, Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 or later, Novell NetWare 3.11 or later.

The majority of these UPS’s are connected to Linux Servers, for monitoring we use apcupsd (See http://www.apcupsd.com). There is also a Webmin Module available which is ... more

The APC Smart-UPS 420 is a small surge protection & battery backup device. It will protect your Server, PC, Network Switch or Router from power failure or even a power surge.

Many users of mission-critical applications need to be sure that if the power goes down for a few minuets, they have time to save their open files and shutdown cleanly. In fact many want to run their system on battery until the mains comes back on-line. The award winning APC Smart-UPS Range offers just that!

Buying a 420
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There are many companies selling 420’s. Personally, I would do a quick search around to find the best prices. Online ordering seems to be the best way of getting these, and also the cheapest! The going price from the big names is about £95 +VAT. Don’t be put off by this though as there are cheaper firms out there.

Ok so I have a few… Here are my thoughts…
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When it comes you will find all you need to get started. They include Information, Software (On CD), Cables, and even Velcro cable ties! Installation of the software offers great features like, UPS monitoring, Configuration, and Automatic System Shutdown on Power Failure. It takes only two minutes to setup.

There is a connector for power input, four for power output, 2 Ethernet ports (in/out), and also the Signal Cable output. Of the four power outputs, three are surge & battery protection, one is surge protection only. The Ethernet connections provide inline surge protection for your data link, although I have not used this feature.

You will need to connect the battery inside, do this before connecting to the mains. Also it’s advisable to plug in the UPS and turn it on, then turn on your device a few minutes later. The UPS will take a while to fully charge.

I support over 100 of these UPS’s all running at remote sites. Each is used to keep a file server online, and then using the Smart Serial Cable; we can monitor the UPS via that server.

The software that is included is APC PowerChute, some of the UPSs we have had included PowerChute 5-node Business Edition. This software states that it is compatible with UNIX, Microsoft Windows 3.x/95/98, Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 or later, Novell NetWare 3.11 or later.

The majority of these UPS’s are connected to Linux Servers, for monitoring we use apcupsd (See http://www.apcupsd.com). There is also a Webmin Module available which is useful for seeing the output of apcupsd via a web browser (See http://www.webmin.com).

Technical Specs
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Dimensions (WxDxH): 12.7 cm x 38 cm x 17.8 cm
Weight: 9.1 kg
Input Voltage: AC 230 V
Output Voltage: AC 230 V
Power Provided: 420 VA
Output Connector(s): 4 x power IEC 320 EN 60320 C13
Battery: UPS battery - Lead Acid
Average Run Time: 5.5 min at full load
Manufacturer Warranty: 2 years warranty

2 Years Plus…
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The UPS is still going strong, very few have problems, and a warranty checker is available at http://www.apc.com if you have any problems.

The only thing that does seem to show up about the two-year mark is the battery. Many of the UPS’s we have need the battery changing in about year 2 to 3. Having said that, 2 to 3 years is not bad for battery life! I can cope with that.
New batteries from APC can be on the expensive side (Around £35+VAT), but non-APC equivalents can be obtained easily and at a much better price (Around £15, Remember during warranty you need to have a APC battery).

Conclusion
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Having had so many of these UPS’s and for this length of time, I would be happy to recommend them to anyone!

More Information: http://www.apc.com

First Written: April 2005

©2005 Robert Jervis (http://www.robertjervis.co.uk) 

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