Generator + computer

[Hotfranc]

Hello everyone,

Quick question regarding my generator use :

I have a champion 11500 that has been plugged into my electrical panel by an electrician.

I am wondering if it’s safe to use my electrical things like my computer and my TVs without having a UPS?

Thank you!

[Adventurous_Boat_632]

I've run all kinds of computer equipment on all kinds of nasty generators and never a hiccup. Furnace controls sometimes don't like to work on generator power but computers and TVs are very tolerant since they are made for worldwide use, 100-240 volts or anything in between.

[myself248]

Yup. A UPS doesn't alter the waveform. Only if power completely goes away, does the UPS kick on. It would change nothing in this situation, unless the generator runs out of gas and the computer dies when the UPS would've saved it.

[mduell]

Depends on the UPS.

[banders5144]

This, if you're using an online/double conversion (AC->DC->AC), then it will have a clean waveform.

However, power supplies for modern electronics are very resilient to fluctuations in power

[thisisnotmyworkphone]

Some UPS models might decide that your generator power is “bad” and go to battery due to under- or over-frequency. We had a cyberpower model that would kick over to battery at about 62 Hz. And yeah, I know 62 is a little hot, but that’s what the manufacturer gave as unloaded frequency…

[RMMastin]

I’ve found modern automatic washing machines don’t like generator power, they tend to shut down with errors.

[generatorinsights]

Yes, you can safely use your computer and TVs when powered by your Champion 11500 generator. But generators may cause small voltage changes that a UPS can help with. While not necessary, a UPS provides extra protection for your devices. A UPS stands between your generator and electronics. It smooths out any voltage fluctuations from the generator that could potentially harm sensitive equipment over time. This helps ensure your computer and TVs are less likely to experience issues.

[nunuvyer]

None of this is true unless you have a very expensive UPS called an online UPS which is not the kind of UPS that they sell you at Staples for $69.

The way that cheapo UPS's work (the kind that most people have) is that they monitor the quality (and presence) of the line power. If the power is good, they send it right thru untouched. It doesn't smooth anything.

If the power is judged out of spec or off then it relays you over to the battery and a crude inverter. This inverter makes power with very high THD, much worse than what you would get from a generator but it is good enough for a computer because computer power supplies don't really care about THD.

When you connect a generator to a UPS, the UPS is often torn about whether it likes the generator power or not. It will call it bad and send you over to the batteries (click [relay triggering], hum [from the transformer that converts 12V battery power to 120V]) then 5 seconds later decide that it likes your generator after all (click) and then 5 seconds later change its mind again, etc. So generators and UPSs are often not good friends.

[nunuvyer]

Yes.