Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

13News Segment – The Summer Storms and Your Tech – Adding a UPS

For the Monday Morning Tech Segment on News13, @techtalkradio decided to focus on the Monsoon Storms and how these storms common to the Southern Arizona Area can affect our electronics.

If you have invested in a big screen television, not connecting it to safe source for electrical power can be a big mistake. As more and more want to enjoy a Large Screen Television with 4k or 8k OLED, Soundbars and Consoles we should be thinking of how it is plugged in. During Monsoon Storms and even other times throughout the year, we get power surges, these surges can take out that 80″ television OLED just as it could a 19 inch tv is you haven’t taken an extra step and purchased a Surge Protector with a High Joule Rating and not just a power strip. It is recommended you use a Joule Rating of 2000-4000 joules to protect your devices and cost wise for these, they can run from 25 to 99 dollars depending on the number of outlets and of course Joule rating. Also important is to remember, these will not last forever. Over time that Joule protecting can deteriorate and a good surge protector can visually let you know when it is time. GE, APC, Monster and CyberPower all produce some fine devices. 

The Look when somethings smells burnt and you used a cheap Power Strip!

Also, if you are going to a coffee shop or even traveling, a nice device from Philips is the Cube, this give you a minor amount of protectiion which is better then plugging directly into the wall. I would recommend having your devices fully charged so you don’t have to plug into an outlet but if you have to, this can help. You could also carry an extra higher Joule Rated product in your laptop bag.

For the Best protection for your PC’s. Macs and other devices, APC – American Power Conversion from Schneider Electric can be a great source with its Uninterruptible Power Supplies.  In this segment we are sharing a Backup UPS from APC – The BN1500M2 which is a Ten Outlet device designed for Home and Small and Medium Businesses. With this you get 10 total outlets, 6 of those outlets with both surge and battery backup as well as 4 surge-only outlets. Also on board are 2 USB ports (Type-C and Type-A) that allow you to charge mobile devices. This is a great solution for your Computer and Routers, the Joule Rating on this is just under 1100. Another point to remember, it is not recommended to plug a UPS into a Power Strip, this could void a warranty or protection guarantee.

From the News13 Set
If Your old dusty Power Strip is showing a Red Light, it is an indication of the need to Replace it.

With a UPS In most situations, if your power goes out, You will be able to finish your work and shut down your system. A High End Gaming PC could be given just under half an hour to finish and then Shut down. The BN1500M2 sells for about 215.00 Find out more on the APC Website including how to protect this devices in the Summer Storms! https://www.apc.com

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , ,

Protect those Devices! Some Tech Ideas to Check out!


Discover the world of tech protection on this week’s KMSB Fox 11 segment. In an age where our gadgets are essential, safeguarding them is paramount, and there’s more to it than just antivirus software.

Ever had a heart-stopping moment when your smartphone teetered on the edge of a pool? Fear not, because we’re introducing the EcoXGear Extreme 2. Talk about Sturdy Device Protection! This IP67-rated housing is waterproof, shock-resistant, and even sand-proof. And here’s the kicker—it floats! Not only can it house your smartphone securely, but it also has room for your keys and credit cards. Even when your phone is snug inside, it remains functional, thanks to exterior buttons that allow you to connect via Bluetooth, control playback over the 15w Spreaker, integrate with smart assistants, and boast a built-in microphone. With an integrated rechargeable battery, you can enjoy up to 15 hours of playtime. Plus, it comes in various stylish colors—black, grey, or safety orange—and retails for just around $80. We did learn a very important lesson, when we told Andrew he could make Phone Calls with it, it took him back to the early days! The EcoXGear Extreme2 uses the assistant on the smartphone to make the call.

But that’s not all. We’ve previously discussed the importance of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) in safeguarding your devices and ensuring you can save your work even during a power outage. In this segment, we’ll take a look at the latest offering from Cyber Power, the 1175 Model. It not only provides a modest amount of backup power but also boasts USB-C and USB-A connectors, so you can even charge your smart devices when the lights go out. Additionally, it guards against surges, adding an extra layer of security to your setup. The best part? These have become much more affordable, and you can snag one for around $120.

Tune in and arm yourself with the knowledge you need to protect your tech investments effectively. From the great outdoors to unforeseen power hiccups, we’ll show you how to keep your gadgets safe and sound.

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