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MacWorld78

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 25, 2012
630
425
Hi there,

Product: APC Smart-Ups x-1000VA ( Input connection cable is : IEC-320 C14)

I'm currently using the above product in order to connect one of my Mac Pro Tower (2010) and Eizo monitor.

Look like I'm unable to connect this Mac Mini 2018 (they come in two pins that go into mac mini's power source) - what kind of cable do I need to connect the above product.

The Mac Pro can see the APC battery pack by going to Mac OS > System Preference > Energy Saver > UPS.

They are connected only one USB between Mac Pro and APC smart-ups) - however I'd like to add that feature for the Mac Mini as well - do I need something like USB hub sharing or something else?
 
The 2 prong cord from the Mini should be able to plug into the back of the UPS.

There are 2 UsbA ports on the back of the mini or you can add more with a USB hub.
 
The 2 prong cord from the Mini should be able to plug into the back of the UPS.

There are 2 UsbA ports on the back of the mini or you can add more with a USB hub.

Is there any specific 2 prong cord or any will do?

which brand is the best for the usb hub?
 
If your UPS has regular power receptacles on the back (look like your wall socket), then the power cord that comes with the mini will be fine.

You only need a hub if you want to use more than 2 USBA ports, alternatively you can use a USBC to USBA adapter with one of the 4 thunderbolt ports on the mini.
 
Sounds like you have a European style UPS so would need a custom power cord. APC makes adapters like https://www.apc.com/shop/mk/en/products/Power-Cord-C14-to-BS1363-UK-0-6m/P-AP9881

The UPS can only connect to one computer via USB. I think there used to be an add-in board for additional machines but I don't see it anymore.

wow, thank you so much for the above links...a friend of mine told me to be careful with the following details

Mac Pro (2010)
  • Line voltage: 100-120V AC or 200-240V AC (wide-range power supply input voltage)
  • Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz single phase

Mac Mini (2018)
  • Line voltage: 100–240V AC
  • Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
  • Maximum continuous power: 150W

APC Smart-Ups x-1000VA

Nominal Input Voltage: 230V
Input Frequency: 50/60 Hz +/- 3 Hz (auto sensing)
Input voltage range for main operations: 160 - 286V
Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 302V

Does that mean Mac mini cannot be used for the APC Smart-Ups x-1000VA because of the following?

Input voltage range for main operations: 160 - 286V
Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 302V
 
APC Smart-Ups x-1000VA

Nominal Input Voltage: 230V
Input Frequency: 50/60 Hz +/- 3 Hz (auto sensing)
Input voltage range for main operations: 160 - 286V
Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 302V

Does that mean Mac mini cannot be used for the APC Smart-Ups x-1000VA because of the following?

Input voltage range for main operations: 160 - 286V
Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 302V

The numbers you have in orange are the acceptable range of voltages coming from the wall that feed into the UPS.

Your friend is right to caution you, but the Mac Mini has an auto-ranging power supply that can accept both U.S. (110-120V@60Hz) and European (220-240V@50Hz) voltages. So once you find whatever adapter you need to plug the Mini's two prong cord into your UPS you'll be good to go.

It would be helpful if you told us what country you're in and posted a picture of the back of the UPS where the outlets are.
 
The numbers you have in orange are the acceptable range of voltages coming from the wall that feed into the UPS.

Your friend is right to caution you, but the Mac Mini has an auto-ranging power supply that can accept both U.S. (110-120V@60Hz) and European (220-240V@50Hz) voltages. So once you find whatever adapter you need to plug the Mini's two prong cord into your UPS you'll be good to go.

It would be helpful if you told us what country you're in and posted a picture of the back of the UPS where the outlets are.

Many thanks for the advice, I'm from the UK, using 230V with 50hz.

but I'm still worried about this figure for some reasons between the blue & red highlight.

Mac Mini (2018)
  • Line voltage: 100 - 240V AC
  • Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
  • Maximum continuous power: 150W
APC Smart-Ups x-1000VA

Input voltage range for main operations: 160 - 286V
Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 302V

If it is all fine, then otherwise look like I'm good to order one of the following adapters.

https://www.apc.com/shop/mk/en/products/Power-Cord-C14-to-BS1363-UK-0-6m/P-AP9881
 
Many thanks for the advice, I'm from the UK, using 230V with 50hz.

but I'm still worried about this figure for some reasons between the blue & red highlight.

Mac Mini (2018)
  • Line voltage: 100 - 240V AC
  • Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
  • Maximum continuous power: 150W
APC Smart-Ups x-1000VA

Input voltage range for main operations: 160 - 286V
Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 302V

If it is all fine, then otherwise look like I'm good to order one of the following adapters.

https://www.apc.com/shop/mk/en/products/Power-Cord-C14-to-BS1363-UK-0-6m/P-AP9881

Hmm, what are you worried about exactly?

"100 - 240V AC" is just a range, like 1-10 is one to ten. It's the range of voltages the Mac can be powered with via its power cord. Your UPS probably outputs 230V because you're in the UK.

"150W" is the maximum number of watts of continuous power it will utilize. At full load that will be about 150ish VA.

"160 - 286V" and "151 - 302V" both indicate what values of input voltage the UPS can handle from the wall. I'm not sure what the distinction between the two is but the point is the UPS can handle very saggy voltages and a little bit of over-voltage too.

That power adapter doesn't make any sense to me - neither of its ends will connect to the Mini or its power cord. Like I said, a picture of the back of your UPS would be helpful. I think you need something like this:

https://www.sfcable.com/usa-to-uk-b...MI6pKh0ZTQ3gIVhSBpCh1Xcwg_EAQYAyABEgIE1vD_BwE

Unless your Mac comes with a different power cable or an adapter in the box (I don't know how Apple does UK), this is what the Mini's power cable looks like (but black instead of white):

upload_2018-11-12_18-3-15.png

[doublepost=1542071709][/doublepost]If your UPS has BS1363 power receptacles but your Mini came with a US power cord (the one I shared above), then this is probably what you need:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CDL-Micro-Figure-Mains-Power/dp/B00W1VA3G2/
 
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