Which UPS (Backup Power) unit?

[FictiousWill]

UPS
(no, not the shipping company)

Uninterruptable Power Supply

Due to almost regular power outages, my family has requested me to purchase a UPS. However I am ill-fitted for the task because I have yet to find out:

What's VA rating?
What's good input/output voltage?
What's a good frequency?

With a budget of about $100 to $150, what's a good UPS to purchase?

I know absolutely jack squat about UPS's and would like a point in the right direction. Thanks!

 

[Asus]

Don't get Belkin. Not the best out there.
APC is good. Context is made by APC I believe. I think they are more of like a Sams Club brand or something. hehe
There are a few other UPC's brands that are good.

I personally own a APC 800VA (540Watts). It is more than enough for me with room to grow. It cost me 100$.
With both of my 75Watt monitors and my A64 desktop plugged into it I am using 275Watts right now. On load this jumps up to ~300Watts. You don't just want to meet the Watts but have enough for you to work within those limits or add/upgrade and still be able to use it.

What's funny is when I had my Athlon XP system I used 320Watts on idle and 360Watts on load. That lets me know Athlon64's run with a lot less power.

Mine uses a USB connection, other will use Serial. You can set at what low and high voltage it will go off the battery. Normal voltage in the USA is 120 so I set it so if it goes below 100 or above 130 it will switch to the battery. I can easly unplug my UPS from the wall and my system doesn't flinch.

The type of UPS that you will be able to afford consists of a 2 part switch which will switch to the battery in the event of unreliable supplied power from the wall. Some UPS' that cost a few hundred $$ are 1 part that still switch between wall and battery. The ones that cost a few thousand run strait off the battery and the wall charges the battery constantly. No switching.

 

[FictiousWill]

Thank you! I feel much better making a selection now.