As far as UPS's go, this is nice enough. It looks good, has 3-Pin plugs rather than IEC, is silent in normal operation, has 4 lights to show how charged the battery is, has an easily (tool-less) replaceable battery, has a mute-able alarm, can be used as a normal power strip without the battery if you turn it off, etc.
However, APC have decided to cheap out and NOT include a USB cable to plug into your PC / NAS to provide a shutdown request in the event of a prolonged power failure.
"No problem", I hear you say, "I have loads of old USB cables lying around". Unfortunately, no, this uses a proprietary RJ45 to USB cable that you don't have lying around.
So, have a dig through the user manual and you will see, tucked away, a line saying that they no longer include the cable 'for environmental reasons', and to contact them to be sent one. So I have contacted them, but unfortunately they don't have any either, and can't get hold of any for 4 months.
Great. Thanks APC.
So this raises the question, 'Why are they still using this daft RJ45 to USB method'? Why not just use a normal USB port like everyone else? The answer - because then they can sell this cable to unwitting accounts departments for an eye watering £47.99 RRP. Yes, that's £47.99, exactly half the cost of this entire UPS, for just a telephone cable with a USB plug shoved on the end. And yes, if you want to BUY it from them, then they magically do have it in stock. Surprise surprise.
So, it's a nice product, but hugely let down by APC's penny pinching and lack of support.
Edit: 6 months on and I've been using this daily to provide backup power for an 8-bay Qnap NAS. The USB cable DID eventually arrive (in fact they sent 2?!) so I plugged that in and the Qnap immediately recognised the unit - all good.
We had a power failure over the weekend and the NAS did its job and cleanly / safely shut down the Qnap. I had previously rated this as 2 stars simply due to the customer support, but feel that's not fair to the product itself, which is actually very good and a great improvement over the previous gen.
Would I buy again? Yes. Would I recommend? Yes.
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| Customer Rating | (426) | (170) | (323) | (80) | (10) | (32) |
| Price | Unavailable | £109.65 | £133.49 | £41.94 | £79.99 | £70.29 |
| Sold By | — | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | ILGS - I Love Going Shopping |
From the manufacturer
Power Protection for Your Home Office
Defend your home communication devices and family PCs against damage and file destruction from unexpected power grid changes, including surges and even lightning. Our worry-free UPS backup and APC surge protectors deliver industrial-strength protection and reliability for your most important electronics.
The Back-UPS Battery Backup
Offers power and surge protection for wireless networks, computers, gaming consoles and other electronics in your home or business. Models supply battery backup during outages and unsafe voltage fluctuations, as well as provide protection from damaging surges and spikes. They’re available in 'floor' style, and together with a variety of standard features, they are the perfect choice to protect your data and keep you connected.
Battery failure notification provides early-warning battery fault analysis to enable timely preventive maintenance.
Safety agency approval assures you that the product has been tested and conforms to national standards.
APC Back-UPS ES 550 VA
Output power capacity : 330 Watts / 550 VA.
Data line (RJ45) surge suppression to protect against dangerous surges traveling along data lines.
Including Shutdown Software and Equipment Protection Policy.
Product Characteristics
- Best-value power protection for home and business computers and electronics
- LED status indicator and audible alarms give the status of UPS functions and power
- Intelligent battery management maximises battery performance, life, and reliability through intelligent precision charging
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Data line (RJ45) surge suppression to protect against dangerous surges traveling along data lines. |
8 total outlets - 4 battery backup and surge, 4 surge only. |
Supplies battery backup power during outages and unsafe voltage fluctuations, as well as protection from damaging surges and spikes - perfect for wireless networks, gaming consoles and other electronics. |
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2020
Style Name: 650 VA / 400 WattVerified Purchase
Really dissapointing. No USB cable included, non available yet, 4 months later unit dead on arrival.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 October 2020Style Name: 850 VA / 520 WattVerified Purchase
Really dissapointing. No USB cable included, non available yet, 4 months later unit dead on arrival.
By eire on 19 October 2020
I've used various APC UPS supplies over the years and thought they were very reliable and easy to maintain. However this is the first new one I've bought in quite a while and it was thoroughly disappointing from start to finish. The unit arrived with the charging circuitry DOA. This is the first one I've bought using the '3 pin socket' format, and thought would be ideal for my desk area. Out of the box, it was clearly explained that you need to remove the cover and connect the battery terminal - this was slightly unusual as the better units have a blade-fuse-TYPE connector on the rear to connect the internal battery without opening up the unit so I was surprised this model doesn't have that quality-of-life feature. Once setup it became quickly apparent that the unit was running straight off the internal battery and was not being recharged from known-good sockets.By eire on 19 October 2020
I was hoping that USB diagnostics might be an option, but APC say they no longer include the bespoke USB cable due to environmental concerns (ie cost saving) and that you have to order one for delivery in a couple of days. I ordered one, and ended up with a multi day email exchange to make sure I wanted it, and that was two months ago. It still hasn't arrived now, so if you need to use the USB cable to diagnose or monitor the unit I'd suggest looking elsewhere than APC at the moment.
I've been through the diagnostic steps with APC support, including sending photo's and videos but it seems the charging circuitry is not operational. Amazon have agreed to accept a return this unit, but I've wasted two months and had a really frustrating experience that makes me seriously consider a different brand for this format of product next time.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2020
Style Name: 850 VA / 520 WattVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2017
Style Name: 550 VA / 330 WattVerified Purchase