This is an excellent UPS. And, Tripp Lite makes great products in general. I have never had a significant problem with a Tripp Lite product, and, in fact, I have been using numerous Tripp Lite surge protectors since 1992, and have purchased 6 additional Tripp Lite surge protectors over the past 2 years for additional applications.
[NOTE:I have added an update/addendum at the end of this review offering some hints on dealing with the burnt plastic odor that -- according to many other reviewers, and also in my own experience -- seems to be emitted by some of these UPSs -- and was emitted by my own device -- when new and first put into use.]
After having experienced numerous unexpected failures with some 1300 VA APC UPSs over the past 5 years, I finally performed extensive due diligence (i.e., research) regarding the most reliable and robust UPSs on the market today, and I recently made the decision to switch to buying only Tripp Lite UPSs for all of my new purchases of UPSs (e.g., for replacement of old UPSs that have died, and for use in new service applications).
My new Tripp Lite SMART1300LCDT arrived here the other day, and I installed it immediately as the backup UPS for the router, cable modem, an external hard drive, and one of my PC monitors, and I am very impressed with this backup UPS. The high quality of design and manufacture is quite evident. It is not over-reaching to state that I simply love it!
I will note that this UPS has only four battery backup power AC outlets on the rear panel, and they are spaced quite closely together. Therefore, when installing this UPS as a replacement for an older UPS from another brand that had failed in service, I quickly discovered that there was not sufficient room among the four backup power outlets on the back panel to allow me to plug in the three "wall wart"-type AC power adapters 9one each for my router, modem and external HD) and also the plug for my monitor, due to the extra space required for the "wall wart" AC power adapters. So, I plugged one AC power adapter and the plug for my monitor into the battery backup power AC outlets on the rear panel, along with the plug for the 4 foot cable for an external power strip (the power strip has six (6) widely-spaced outlets and is NOT surge protected; it seems to be important to most of the the manufacturers (including Trip Lite) of UPSs that any external AC power strip plugged into the backup AC power outlets must NOT contain any surge protectors or radio-frequency filters (RFI filters), probably due to the high rise-time of the square waves that make up the "modified sine wave" AC output of the UPSs when they are running in battery backup power mode.
Bottom line is that I love this UPS, and it has easily passed all of my basic tests. I will add more notes, as warranted, as I accrue more experience with this UPS as the months pass.
In closing this section, I will mention that my new UPS, once it had been put into services, did start to emit a moderately-strong "new electronic device" odor, one akin to the smell of burning plastic, and in the Addendum below I will tell you how I chose to manage the odor. However, despite the fact that my new unit has been emitting this moderately-strong level of odor for the past few days, I nonetheless choose to give this UPS a full 5 stars in my review, simply because of the high quality and robustness of the unit, and its proven track record for reliability. So, it still gets 5 stars, and, in fact, I plan to purchase several more of these units over the next year or two for use in other applications.
BTW, I called Tripp Lite's Tech Support line to discuss the "new device" odor, not because I was seeking to procure a replacement unit, but because I was wondering exactly what internal components were emitting the odor, and I am expecting to hear back from one of their senior engineers within the next few days with some detailed answers to my questions. In the meantime, the low-level tech support person with whom I spoke (and who agreed to my request that he escalate my questions up the line to the engineers that designed this unit) suggested the following likely source for the odor: he reminded me that this UPS contains a rather hefty power transformer, and that these transformers are potted or sealed in an insulating compound that is similar to a varnish or plastic resin sealant. He suspected that the new transformer, once the UPS has been first put into service, heats up (this is natural, of course) and that this heating "bakes" the potting compound/sealant, and that the potting compound then emits some gases as it finishes curing or setting during the first few days or weeks that the UPS is in service
Addendum:- Managing the Burnt Plastic Odor Emitted by Some of these UPSs When New and for the First Few Days or Weeks of Use
As you have likely already noticed, a number of other reviewers have mentioned that their new units (as did mine within a few hours of having turned it on when first installed) emitted an odor similar to that of burnt plastic when first put into use, and that the odor lasted for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, or even longer; some of these reviewers had even reported the odor as having been quite strong and quite offensive to them. Now, I do want to point out that several of these reviewers who reported the offensive odor of their new UPS also acknowledged that in their experience, new UPSs from most other manufacturers also seem to emit similar odors when first put into use, and have speculated that this may be true of most new UPSs nowadays that have been made in Chinese factories. I agree with this statement that most new UPSs from most manufacturers do seem to emit a noticeable odor for at least the first few days of service.
When I first received my own unit and put it into use recently, it too started to emit a mild burnt plastic odor (the odor was most similar to the odor emitted by Bakelite plastic when drilled or cut with an electric saw) within two hours after it had been first put into service, and I was initially able to smell the odor at distances up to 4 feet from the UPS. . The odor gradually built in strength, to a moderately-strong level, over the next couple of days until, after about 3 days, I could smell it up to about 8 to 10 feet from the unit (which was sitting on the floor in my home office). However, I must state that by the end of the fourth day, the moderately-strong odor was significantly stronger than I have ever witnessed with any other brand or model of UPS, or with any other new electronic equipment (i.e., PCs, cable modems, routers, kilowatt-range DC-to-AC power inverters, kilowatt-range DC power supplies, solar charge controllers, battery chargers, etc.), and it was starting to permeate my small office area..
So, at this point I decided to so something about the odor, because it was becoming quite irritating to me. I decided to do something to remediate the odor, that is, to neutralize it. I am a consulting scientist and engineer, and it just so happens that one of my areas of specialty is remediation and neutralization of odors (in industrial settings, landfills, waterways, etc.) by natural means (i.e., using natural methods, rather than using potentially-harmful "deodorizing" sprays that, in reality, try to mask odors with various artificial perfume-type scents or floral scents). So, due to my unique background and expertise, I fortunately had lots of resources for addressing the odor emitted by the new UPS at my fingertips
So, this morning, after having decided to get rid of the odor, I opened two sealed 32 oz. packets of zeolite volcanic rock odor absorber that had been sitting in storage on a shelf in my workshop, and placed them near the UPS (I placed one just above the UPS cabinet, and the other on a desktop about two feet above the UPS and a bit to one side of it.
These 32 oz. mesh packets of zeolite volcanic rock granules are marketed widely in home improvement stores, pet stores, and also on Amazon Marketplace as "odor eliminators" or "odor absorbers" (actually, the correct technical term is "odor adsorbers", since the rock granules adsorb odor molecules), and a 32 oz. packet of the granules in a breathable mesh bag usually sells for anywhere form $6 to $10 per bag.
The way that these odor adsorbent products work is that zeolite, which is a naturally-occurring volcanic rock, is rather porous, and contains numerous fissures and honeycomb porosities in the surface of the rock granules, thus exposing a large surface area of rock to the air. And it so happens that the surfaces of zeolite exhibit a strong negative electrical charge. This negative electrical charge attracts and then adsorbs any odor or other molecules that are in the air that exhibit a positive charge, and it just so happens that the vast majority of odor molecules, including those causing the burnt plastic smell emitted by my rather new UPS, exhibit a strong positive charge.
So, these positively-charged odor molecules are attracted to the granules of zeolite, and are then adsorbed into the numerous fissures and honeycombs on the surface of the rock granules, where they remain trapped.
In my case, I emplaced the two newly-opened 32 oz. packets of zeolite odor adsorber in my office area at about 6 AM this morning, and within about three hours, the knockdown of the already-existing odor was about 90 percent. Within about 7 hours from the time of initial emplacement of the zeolite odor absorber (odor adsorber) packs, I could no longer notice the burnt plastic smell at all unless I placed my nose within a few inches of the air ventilation vents on the new UPS.
[End of Addendum section offering hints and tips about managing the "new UPS" odor.]
In closing, I want to stress once again that this noticeable odor emitted by my new UPS as it "breaks in" is not a showstopper, and it certainly would not stop me from purchasing more of these units.
From the manufacturer
Key Specifications
- Model: SMART1500LCDT
- Load Capacity: 1500 VA (900 W)
- Nominal AC Input/Output: 120 V, 50/60 Hz
- AC Outlets: 10 x 5-15R (5 UPS, 5 Surge-Only)
- Output Waveform (AC Mode): Sine Wave
- Output Waveform (Battery Mode): PWM Sine Wave
- Input Cord: 6 ft. (1.8 m) Cord with 5-15P Plug
- Half-Load Runtime: 10 min. (450 W Load)
- User-Replaceable Battery: Yes (2 x RBC51)
- Weight: 27 lb. (12.3 kg)
Line-Interactive Tower UPS with LCD
This line-interactive UPS system protects your valuable equipment from damage, downtime and data loss.
- Battery backup supports equipment during outages.
- AVR corrects power sags (brownouts) and overvoltages.
- Surge protection blocks harmful transient voltages on AC, phone, network and coaxial lines.
- The multifunction LCD screen displays power conditions and provides easy access to settings.
- The USB port connects to a computer for power management and automatic file saves.
- The 3-year warranty reflect Tripp Lite's commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction.
Features
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Power Protection and Battery Backup for Home and OfficeBetween severe weather, the aging electrical grid and hazards lurking inside your own walls, your equipment is under constant attack from power problems. Even a brief loss of power or a momentary surge can ruin your equipment and destroy irreplaceable data. Prevent damage, downtime and data loss by installing this UPS system. It conditions incoming AC power, provides enough battery backup to outlast most outages and automatically saves open files and shuts down computers gracefully during extended blackouts. |
Common Applications- Protect Home and Office Computer Systems: Workgroup Servers, Media Servers, High-Performance Workstations, Office Computers, Gaming PCs, Displays, Inkjet Printers, Modems, Switches, Wireless Routers, Scanners, Storage. - Protect Audio/Video Equipment: HDTVs, DVRs, Video Game Consoles, DVD and Blu-ray Players, Stereos, Surround Sound Systems, Sound Bar Speakers, Streaming Media Players, Home Theater PCs, Cable/Satellite Receivers. |
Reliable Battery Backup- Single-Computer Runtime: This UPS system will support an energy-efficient desktop computer and LCD monitor (75 W load) for up to 90 minutes during an outage. - Half-Load Runtime: This UPS system will support a 50% load (450 W) for up to 10 minutes. - Optimized Outlet Array: 5 outlets have both battery backup and surge/noise protection, and 5 have surge/noise protection without battery backup. The 'surge-only' outlets allow you to connect additional equipment without overloading the UPS or reducing the backup runtime available during an outage. Select outlets have extra-wide spacing to accommodate bulky AC adapters without blocking adjacent outlets. |
AVR and Surge/Noise ProtectionIn locations with chronic voltage problems, frequent switching to battery drains reserve power and shortens battery life. This UPS system has a feature called automatic voltage regulation (AVR) that solves the problem. The UPS detects when input voltage is out of bounds and corrects it without using the battery. All Tripp Lite UPS systems also include built-in surge protection and noise filtering to shield your equipment from destructive transient voltages and electromagnetic (EMI/RFI) line noise. |
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Data Line Surge ProtectionData lines connected to your equipment represent an unlocked 'back door',allowing surges to enter and damage or destroy sensitive electronic components. In addition to protecting against surges on the AC power line, this UPS system protects your equipment against surges on connected phone, network and coaxial lines - The RJ45 jacks protect a phone, analog modem, DSL modem or Ethernet network line. - The coaxial connectors protect a cable TV, satellite or cable modem line. |
Multifunction LCD ScreenThe illuminated LCD provides easy access to detailed UPS settings and information. The LCD shows a variety of helpful data, including input/output voltage, battery voltage, input/output frequency, load/charge level meters, output load percentage, output load wattage, power status, battery status, AVR status and estimated battery backup runtime in minutes. |
Flexible Management OptionsThere are three ways to manage this UPS system: 1. Use the multifunction LCD screen. 2. Use the HID-compliant USB port and your computer's built-in power management features. 3. Use the USB port with Tripp Lite's free PowerAlert software. |
ROHS Design- High Efficiency: This UPS system saves energy, produces less heat, shrinks your carbon footprint and reduces annual operating costs. - User-Replaceable Battery: This UPS system has a user-replaceable, recyclable battery, allowing it to remain in service instead of going to a landfill. - RoHS Compliance: This UPS system complies with the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive, limiting the use of hazardous substances in manufacturing. |
Why Choose Tripp Lite?
Founded in 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, Tripp Lite is a leading manufacturer of products to power, connect and protect your equipment. With a large selection of connectivity products, Tripp Lite has everything from USB hubs and reversible USB cables to fiber-optic cables and over Cat5e/Cat6 signal extenders. Whether you need to connect high-speed networks to switches, routers and servers in your data center, or send high-resolution video signals to displays and digital signs, Tripp Lite has the complete solution. Plus, before and after your purchase, our Chicago-based, in-house technical support specialists are available to assist you by phone, email and live chat. With over 90 years of quality products and service, Tripp Lite is a brand you can trust.
Customer reviews
Avoid!!! Item was defective. No service ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017
Avoid !!! Item was defective. No service on return or refund offered. It was clearly defective when built. There was a crack in the side and a wire sticking out from the side and had a strong burnt electrical smell. I was afraid of the thing in my house.
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
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Excellent UPS! Very good design, high quality manufacture, and reliable! Update: Addendum re Managing Odor from Some New Units
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2016Style: 1300VA TowerVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Lino
Muy buen producto PERO...
Reviewed in Mexico on September 3, 2018Style: 1300VA TowerVerified Purchase
Dr. Tim Parker
Best engineered UPS on the market: it does its job superbly
Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2015Style: OMNI 1500VA TowerVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Works well on a generator.
Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2022Style: OMNI 1500VA TowerVerified Purchase
coolspot
Warning, this item is considered non-returnable/exchangable by Amazon
Reviewed in Canada on June 12, 2022Style: 1500VAVerified Purchase
Eduardo Ramiro Ramos
Todo bien hasta el momento
Reviewed in Mexico on May 22, 2017Style: 1000VAVerified Purchase
