"David C. Stone" wrote in message
...
In article , Daniel Morrow
wrote:

[snip]

The only way that I am aware of to deal with power outages completely is
to
use a backup power generator, way too expensive for me right now so I
will
make do. One recommendation is to get one with a sine wave output but
this
recommendation is really only especially important if you plan on using
sensitive devices with it such as a computer. UPSs simply only help as
much
as one drop in the bucket as far as long term duration of power outages
go.
The sine wave output means the ac output is only "on" for part of the
time
and so doesn't overheat sensitive devices, very basically put. Good luck
and
later!

????

AC power implies a sine wave - that's what mains ac is, anyway.

Or are you saying that some generators actually put out something
other than a sine wave?

AC just means an alternating current. The easiest way to produce AC is to
switch high DC on and off (and level shift it down 50%, so the current
alternates) giving you a square wave. Put some heavy capacitance on that
and it becomes a sawtooth or a trapezoid (a leaning sawtooth if I remember
correctly, and I am trying to simplify my explanation). Proper generators
give you more of a gradual rise & fall characteristic of a sine wave. Some
UPS (cheaper models) will not give you a proper waveform.

The RMS power of a sawtooth is lower than a sinewave and has strong
harmonics. Some equipment doesn't like their input power so peaky.
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