Topic: Anyone know of a device that can tell when a outlet has no power?(have a update)

[Fox_Of_The_Wind]

I want to be able to plug this device in to a PC and tell the PC when the outlet has no power to shutdown. it is because I have a batter backup that don't have a PC controller in it. (A Goal Zero)

[Garth Bock]

What software on the PC side will you be using to tell the PC to shutdown ? An APC ups's have software that monitors the ups and then commands windows to shutdown when the ups's battery reaches a low level.

[Bushman]

Your request makes no sense.  If the power goes out, unless there is a UPS in the mix, the PC will shut off immediately.  Hard stop.

[davidmc36]

You need something like this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Powertronics-Probe-100-Power-Monitor/dp/B00AYRLH24

But it needs a battery power itself so it does not shut off once power drops. Another similar product or myself I would modify it to add battery backup.

[Fox_Of_The_Wind]

You need something like this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Powertronics-Probe-100-Power-Monitor/dp/B00AYRLH24

But it needs a battery power itself so it does not shut off once power drops. Another similar product or myself I would modify it to add battery backup.

Thank you! that is what I need!!

[galfert]

The request makes sense to me. The OP wants to alert the computer to gracefully shut down if there is a power outage. Said PC is already connected to a UPS, but the UPS is not fancy enough to provide a USB link to the computer to let it know that it is running on battery and to therefore shut down gracefully.

The recommendation to a very expensive device makes little sense when a better solution is to just replace the UPS for one that provides USB power outage information.

The cheapest solution is a second UPS with USB notification. You don't need to run the PC off the second UPS. You just use it as a notification device. Keep your PC on the larger UPS you have now if you prefer.

These are two cheap models that have USB notification on power outage.
https://www.amazon.com/alimentaci%C3%B3n-ininterrumpida-escritorio-CyberPower-independiente/dp/B0030SL08A/

https://www.amazon.com/APC-Battery-Protector-Back-UPS-BE600M1/dp/B01FWAZEIU/

Or just get a good large UPS with USB notification.

[miraculon]

You need something like this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Powertronics-Probe-100-Power-Monitor/dp/B00AYRLH24

But it needs a battery power itself so it does not shut off once power drops. Another similar product or myself I would modify it to add battery backup.

I have one of these. It is meant to capture voltage spikes, sags etc.

When you first connect it, it will indicate a "power failure", but after the fact. It can catch a power dropout of 80msec below 10V.

The logging software will record this, I just connected it and briefly unplugged the power and it shows it in the logging software and the LEDs.

There is no battery for this unit. I also don't believe that it can initiate a shutdown of a PC. There is no mention of this in the manual for the product, nor do I see any option for this in the software itself.

Greg H.

[Fox_Of_The_Wind]

I guess I confused a few people I do have a batter backup a https://www.goalzero.com/shop/last-chance-gear/goal-zero-yeti-400-portable-power-station/. I won it from the place were I work. But it it made to be portable and it has no computer port connection to tell the computer to shutdown. So if I lose power and I am not at home computer will just keep running till the battery dies.

Only reason why I am looking for something that can tell the computer that the power is off. I do understand (some what) on how power works.

Thanks

You need something like this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Powertronics-Probe-100-Power-Monitor/dp/B00AYRLH24

But it needs a battery power itself so it does not shut off once power drops. Another similar product or myself I would modify it to add battery backup.

I have one of these. It is meant to capture voltage spikes, sags etc.

When you first connect it, it will indicate a "power failure", but after the fact. It can catch a power dropout of 80msec below 10V.

The logging software will record this, I just connected it and briefly unplugged the power and it shows it in the logging software and the LEDs.

There is no battery for this unit. I also don't believe that it can initiate a shutdown of a PC. There is no mention of this in the manual for the product, nor do I see any option for this in the software itself.

Greg H.

I been looking at the website for it. and I thought the same thing (it can't shut a PC down) But I still might get it....I do like to know from time to time what is going on in power land.

[galfert]

That Goal Zero is not a UPS. That is just a power station. It is meant to be charged and used on the go. A UPS works differently. A UPS provides power from the wall and then switches to battery when power outage is detected. That Goal Zero does not do this. You just charge it and then anything you plug into it is always consuming battery. It takes longer to charge it (5 hours) than the run time you get out of it.

I would just get a separate proper UPS for the computer with USB notification. I recommend APC brand but make sure it has the USB notification as some low models like the 425 don't have USB notification.

[miraculon]

I have used a number of APC units over the years, but recently I have had good luck with Tripp-Lite.

Greg H.

[Fox_Of_The_Wind]

I ordered a SMART-UPS 750VA WITH APC SMARTCONNECT. I like that it can be online. and send me info if something happens (that is if it can still get online)

[miraculon]

That should be a good capability. I get a report from the Tripp-Lite connected to my FTP server. I post it to my web site.

battery.charge: 100
battery.runtime: 1393
battery.type: PbAC
battery.voltage: 13.5
battery.voltage.nominal: 12.0
device.mfr: Tripp Lite
device.model: Tripp Lite UPS
device.type: ups
driver.name: usbhid-ups
driver.parameter.pollfreq: 30
driver.parameter.pollinterval: 2
driver.parameter.port: /dev/usb/hiddev0
driver.parameter.synchronous: no
driver.version: 2.7.4
driver.version.data: TrippLite HID 0.82
driver.version.internal: 0.41
input.frequency: 59.8
input.voltage: 120.6
input.voltage.nominal: 120
output.frequency.nominal: 60
output.voltage: 120.6
output.voltage.nominal: 120
ups.beeper.status: enabled
ups.delay.shutdown: 20
ups.load: 12
ups.mfr: Tripp Lite
ups.model: Tripp Lite UPS
ups.power: 0.0
ups.power.nominal: 650
ups.productid: 2011
ups.status: OL
ups.timer.reboot: 65535
ups.timer.shutdown: 65535
ups.vendorid: 09ae
ups.watchdog.status: 0

Greg H.

[davidmc36]

You need something like this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Powertronics-Probe-100-Power-Monitor/dp/B00AYRLH24

But it needs a battery power itself so it does not shut off once power drops. Another similar product or myself I would modify it to add battery backup.

I have one of these. It is meant to capture voltage spikes, sags etc.

When you first connect it, it will indicate a "power failure", but after the fact. It can catch a power dropout of 80msec below 10V.

The logging software will record this, I just connected it and briefly unplugged the power and it shows it in the logging software and the LEDs.

There is no battery for this unit. I also don't believe that it can initiate a shutdown of a PC. There is no mention of this in the manual for the product, nor do I see any option for this in the software itself.

Greg H.

Exactly. That's wht it was a sort if example that needed modification and still would not be "it". Just to stir the thinking juices.

[Aardvark]

I just callover the neighbor , hand him a fork and tell him to stick it in the outlet. works everythinge

[Fox_Of_The_Wind]

I just callover the neighbor , hand him a fork and tell him to stick it in the outlet. works everythinge

You must go though a lot of neighbors! lol 

[Aardvark]

I just callover the neighbor , hand him a fork and tell him to stick it in the outlet. works everythinge

You must go though a lot of neighbors! lol 

Yeah , remember old age and treachery always overcomes youth and skill

[Garth Bock]

I ordered a SMART-UPS 750VA WITH APC SMARTCONNECT. I like that it can be online. and send me info if something happens (that is if it can still get online)

Geez I wish I suggested that....oh wait I did...😄

[vreihen]

Or just get a good large UPS with USB notification.

As an FYI, this thread finally forced me to break down and do just that.  I have a new Eaton 1500 VA UPS inbound as I type this, for use in keeping my network gear, AV, home automation, IoT, and PWS stuff running...with graceful shutdowns.

Last week, I picked up four Z-Wave smart power strips with individual outlet remote switching and power use monitoring for $20 each, along with a dozen short 1-foot extension cords for spacing out wall-wart transformers on the power strips.  I blame that purchase on two months of cabin fever from the COVID-geddon lockdown, which made me notice the power cord and transformer spaghetti knot that grew in my network/AV closet over 15 years.....

[Fox_Of_The_Wind]

I now own 4 APC smart ups. and two of them have network cards. So I installed powerchute business edition and I can shutdown more then one computer if the apc goes to backup! (win win)