Connecting network switch to UPS

[GiganticDays]

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I've just bought a new UPS (Sweex Intelligent UPS 1000va).
My intention is to use it to gracefully shut down my Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ and my PC in the event of a power cut.

The supplied software allows remote networked devices to be shutdown in the event of a power cut but in order for this to work my network switch needs to be powered by the UPS as well.
The UPS only has IEC female outlets and my switch has a standard UK 3 pin plug.

Am I ok wiring an IEC male plug to a 4-way power strip (not surge protected) and plugging the switch into that?

Obviously I'd be careful not to connect anything more power hungry than the switch, and it's not my intention to connect another 3 devices, it's just that I have a spare 4-way strip lying around.

Also is there any difference (as regards safety) between connecting 4 devices directly to the UPS and connecting the 4-way strip and plugging the same 4 devices into it?

[nemowolf]

Fire code in my area dictates that it is illegal, due to the likelyhood of causing a fire, to daisy chain surge protectors. Ideally, you should have an extension cord of no longer than ~10 feet to a short cord length surge protector and thats it. Plugging an additional surge protector into a UPS defeats the purpose of the protection it provides and limits it to only being a battery backup. I would stick to using only an extension cord to power your NAS and not use any sort of power strip as the additional load may cause problems and increase your chances of harm to the devices and the UPS.

If you want the best opinion, call the manufactor's customer service number and check with them to make sure that everything will be fine with the way you have it setup or want to setup.

[westom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiganticDays

The supplied software allows remote networked devices to be shutdown in the event of a power cut but in order for this to work my network switch needs to be powered by the UPS as well.

What data is lost in the network switch if power is lost. That is the UPS purpose. To save unsaved data. Power off from a nuclear power plant failure, utility wire breaks, a circuit breaker or the power switch are all exactly same to hardware.

The UPS is for saving of unsaved data. Did you mistakenly think power off damaged hardware? Why must network switches be on a UPS? What data needs to be saved?

[Taxmancometh]

I have two surge protectors connected to each other. This is illegal?

[westom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taxmancometh

I have two surge protectors connected to each other. This is illegal?

Daisy chaining any power strip (with or without protector part inside) is a well understood fire hazard.

[GiganticDays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemowolf

Plugging an additional surge protector into a UPS defeats the purpose of the protection it provides and limits it to only being a battery backup

The power strip is not surge protected but I take your point re the manufacturer's customer services.

[GiganticDays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by westom

The UPS is for saving of unsaved data. Did you mistakenly think power off damaged hardware? Why must network switches be on a UPS? What data needs to be saved?

The network switch would need to be connected to the UPS so that, in the event of a power cut, it would still be powered so that the UPS software installed on the PC could send the shutdown signal to the UPS. Bear in mind the UPS's USB cable is connected to the PC, not the NAS.

I tried to squeeze a few more acronyms into that statement but there wasn't room

[westom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiganticDays

The network switch would need to be connected to the UPS so that, in the event of a power cut, ... that the UPS software installed on the PC could send the shutdown signal to the UPS.

It does not work that way on a typical UPS. A UPS sends a shutdown signal to software inside the computer. This is usually via a USB cable. That is not and is not connected via Ethernet (network) cables.

Older UPS would simply switch an RS-232 wire. Would not even send a message. Just flip a switch. Newer UPS send a USB signal to computer software to power off. Network switch is ignorant of this communication. So, why does the network switch need UPS power?

[Taxmancometh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by westom

Daisy chaining any power strip (with or without protector part inside) is a well understood fire hazard.

I don't have a lot connected. I just do it for double the protection. I have a professional surge protector attached to a surge protector outlet strip.

[westom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taxmancometh

I just do it for double the protection.

Then post manufacturer spec numbers that claim protection from each type of surge. Good luck. The expensive 'professional' power strip protector selling for $100 has spec numbers equivalent to one selling in Wal-Mart for $7. Near zero times two is still near zero.