Many of us have our computers and other critical electronics plugged into uninterruptible power supplies (APUs), little boxes with batteries and inverters that can deliver 110 voltage to your computer for a limited time to allow proper saves and shutdowns.

A UPS pays close attention to the smoothness and consistency of the input AC power, and will consider a large departure from norms as an “outage” that needs to be switched over to the battery.

Something I learned from someone during the recent power outages: Only the best and most advanced home backup generators deliver power smooth enough not to annoy an APU.

So putting your house on generator power will not make the APU switch off, and it will run on batteries until it runs down. Something to keep in mind.

My APU has a control function that allows me to reduce its sensitivity. I have a setting recommended for generator power, but it cautions me that the variations may be a problem for the computer if I let it through. Check your own systems to see what’s up.