My Review of the Eaton UPS: Safeguarding Your Valuable Tech
When it comes to protecting my valuable computing assets, I rely on the Eaton UPS. It’s a power backup system that shields my electronics from unexpected power surges, outages, and fluctuations. Let me share my thoughts on this essential device.
First and foremost, the Eaton UPS provides me with peace of mind. With it by my side, I never have to worry about sudden power disruptions damaging my computers, laptops, or other electronic devices. It’s like having a dependable guardian that keeps my tech safe at all times.
One of the standout features of the Eaton UPS is its automatic voltage regulation. It ensures that my devices receive a consistent and stable power supply, regardless of any disturbances in the electrical current. This not only prevents damage but also enhances the overall performance of my gadgets.
In addition to protection, the Eaton UPS is remarkably easy to use. Its user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to operate and monitor, even for someone like me who isn’t particularly tech-savvy. With just a glance, I can check the current battery level, the remaining runtime, and other essential information.
Furthermore, the Eaton UPS is designed with versatility in mind. It offers multiple outlets, allowing me to connect and safeguard various devices simultaneously. This is incredibly convenient, especially when I have multiple computers or other tech equipment that requires protection.
Another impressive aspect of the Eaton UPS is its battery management system. It intelligently optimizes the usage of power, extending the battery life and ensuring that I have ample time to save my work and shut down my devices safely when a power outage occurs. This is a huge relief, as it eliminates the risk of losing important data due to unexpected shutdowns.
Lastly, I appreciate the sleek and compact design of the Eaton UPS. Its slim profile and modern aesthetics blend seamlessly with my workspace, without taking up excessive space or drawing unnecessary attention. It’s both functional and visually appealing.
In conclusion, the Eaton UPS is an indispensable asset for safeguarding my computing devices. Its reliable protection, user-friendly interface, versatility, and intelligent battery management make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to protect their valuable electronics. With the Eaton UPS by your side, you can focus on your work or entertainment without constantly worrying about the safety of your tech.
If you care about your computer, devices, and data, you gotta get yourself an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). These devices, made by different manufacturers, protect against power surges, brownouts, voltage fluctuations, and total power loss. Last year, I wrote a quick overview about UPS on The Mac Observer if you’re interested.
One company that specializes in UPS devices is Eaton. They’re mainly known for serving the power needs of big businesses and industries, but they also have products for regular consumers and small businesses.
We’ve been testing a bunch of Eaton UPS devices lately that serve different purposes: the 5S700LCD, 5SC500, 5P750, and 5P750R. Keep reading for our full review and thoughts on their performance.
Let’s start with the Eaton 5S700LCD.
When it comes to price, the 5S700LCD from Eaton is the most affordable among the UPS devices we looked at, costing just $189. It has a total of eight outlets, with four of them connected to the built-in battery. The other four outlets only provide surge protection, and two of them are controlled by the power status of the “Master” outlet. Eaton calls this feature “EcoControl.” It’s a commonly used power-saving technique on surge protectors and UPS devices. Basically, when you turn off the device connected to the Master outlet, power to the EcoControl outlets is also cut off to prevent any unnecessary power consumption.
Above the outlets, you’ll find coax and Ethernet jacks. These jacks offer surge protection for your devices connected to them. It’s important because even if you have surge protection for your electrical outlets, it won’t help if lightning strikes your coax or Ethernet line and damages your modem or motherboard.
Now, let’s talk about the B-type USB plug. You can use this plug to communicate with connected computers using Eaton’s power management software. We’ll dive into that in a bit.
Just like any other UPS devices, the 5S700LCD is quite dense because of its battery. This battery provides a maximum rating of 700 Volt-Amps (VA) and 420 Watts. Despite its density, the UPS is manageable at 13.1 pounds.
By default, the device is configured for tower orientation. However, you can also lay it flat for “desktop” usage. In this mode, the 5S700LCD can easily support a desktop monitor. You can see illustrations of this on the company’s website.
As the name suggests, the front of the 5S700LCD features a small LCD screen. This screen displays important information like current voltage levels, battery charge percentage, load percentage, and remaining running time while on battery. You can cycle through these information screens using a single button located to the right of the display.
Inside the box, along with the 5S700LCD, you’ll find an included USB cable, a user manual, and a 6-foot power cable. For safety during transport, the battery is disconnected, but you can easily reattach it by removing the front snap-on grille. And if the battery gets exhausted, you can replace it yourself for a quick replacement or upgrade.
The 5S700LCD comes with a 3-year warranty, including the batteries. If you want to extend the warranty for an additional two years, you can do so for $63, making it a total of five years of coverage.
Eaton 5SC500
So here’s the deal: the Eaton 5SC500 is a bigger ol’ gadget compared to the 5S700LCD. But guess what? It’s got this fancy feature called pure sine wave output, and that’s why it costs more – about $285, to be precise. Now, I’m not gonna get too technical, but here’s the deal: cheaper UPS stuff, like the 5S700LCD, gives you a simulated sine wave output. That’s usually fine for your average electronics and computers, but it might cause some issues with sensitive equipment. Trust me, it’s a whole topic of discussion over at those AVSForums.
Now, if you’re dead set on this pure sine wave output – also known as “true sine wave” – then you gotta shell out a bit more for your UPS. But hey, the 5SC500 isn’t a bad deal. It’s actually one of the cheapest UPS options that offers that pure sine wave output. It may not have the highest power ratings – 500VA and 350W – but it gets the job done. Just keep in mind, the device doesn’t have a ton of outlets and ports. It’s kinda limited in that department.
Hey there! So, let me break it down for you. On the back of this device, you’ll find four outlets. They’re all connected to the device’s battery, so you can use them to power your devices. However, I have to mention that there’s no surge protection for coax or Ethernet. But don’t worry, there’s still some cool stuff back there! You’ll find a single RS232 port, which is an IP Ethernet to 232 port. And there’s also a USB type B port that you can use for power management and remote control. Pretty nifty, right?
If you take a look at the front of the device, you’ll see an LCD screen. It’s like the one you find on the 5S700LCD model. This screen shows you some important information, like the amount of power going in and out of the device, the levels of the battery and load, and how much running time you have left. Oh, and did I mention that the battery is removable and replaceable? If you ever need to change it, just pop off the front cover and you’re good to go!
Now, let’s talk about what’s included with the 5SC500. You’ll get a 6-foot power cord, so you can easily connect it to a power source. And that’s not all! Eaton also throws in USB and RS232 cables, so you have everything you need to get started. Plus, they offer a 3-year warranty. And here’s the best part: if you want, you can extend that warranty to 5 years for just $63. Talk about peace of mind!
The Amazing Eaton 5P750
Let me tell you about the impressive Eaton 5P750. This power supply really stands out with its larger size, bigger battery, and more ways to connect. Just like the 5SC500, the 5P750 delivers a smooth and reliable power output, thanks to its pure sine wave technology. It has a battery capacity of 750VA and can provide 600 watts of power. That’s pretty impressive!
When you go around the back of the Eaton 5P750, you’ll see eight outlets that are divided into three groups. The first group has four black outlets, which are considered the “primary group.” These outlets are where you should connect your most important devices like your computer, primary external hard drive, or modem, if you want to stay online during a power outage. The other four outlets are grey and divided into two switched segments, group 1 and group 2. These outlets are still connected to the battery, but you have the option to manually or automatically switch them off during long power outages. This way, you can ensure that the devices in your primary group stay powered for as long as possible.
By default, the 5P750 comes closed, but it has an expansion slot for an optional network card. This card allows for remote management and logging of UPS functions through Ethernet. If you prefer local management, there are USB and RS232 ports available. Plus, there’s a built-in wiring fault indicator to alert you of any previously unknown wiring issues.
On the front of the 5P750, you’ll find an LCD display with more control options than the units mentioned earlier. Using buttons below the display, you can browse power and running time data, control the switched power groups, configure power loss alerts, initiate battery tests, and more.
Compared to its counterparts, the 5P750 is larger and weighs about 24 pounds. It comes with a 6-foot power cord and offers the same warranty options as the other units we discussed.
Eaton 5P750R
Completing our review units is the 5P750R, which is essentially the 5P750 in a rackmount form. It has the same power rating, pure sine wave output, and LCD menu and control structure as its tower-based counterpart. However, since it’s in a 1U form factor, it has fewer ports.
The 5P750R has five outlets organized into three groups. It has two primary outlets for critical loads, two switched outlets in group 1, and one switched outlet in group 2. Like the 5P750, it also supports an optional network card, has RS232 and USB control ports, and features a wiring fault indicator.
Because the 5P750R is designed for critical environments, it comes with hot-swappable batteries. You can change dead or defective batteries without shutting down the equipment connected to the UPS as long as AC power is still available. Additionally, the 5P750R includes a four-post rail kit in the box, which is uncommon in the rackmount equipment industry. If you prefer not to rackmount it, the UPS can also be wall-mounted using four of the rack ears.
Eaton’s warranty policy remains consistent, offering the same options as the previous units.
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