I just got 625VA UPS from Belkin and was wondering whether to keep it
connected to the mains at all times?  Is it better to disconnect when
I'm not using my equipment?

Also, this model has a surge protector for modems/telephones/faxes.  I
have broadband with a USB modem - should the microfilter go before the
input into the UPS or on the output?

First, it sound like you don't understand what the
microfilter does.  It does not filter anything to a broadband
modem.  Broadband is radio frequencies sent on your phone
line.  Filter would only cutoff those RF signals to a modem.
Other POTS devices (conventional phone, fax machine, etc) will
eat those broadband signals.  Install the filter so that your
RF broadband signal never sees those POTS devices.
Mircofilter is constructed so that broadband modem makes a
direct and unfiltered connection to phone lines.

  Second, a wild assumption is that a UPS protector provides
protection from all types of transients.  Manufacturer does
not make that claim.  But manufacturer shorts you information
so that YOU will make the erroneous assumption.  That
protection inside a UPS can even a typically destructive
transient with more paths to damage an adjacent broadband
modem.  Just another little fact they hope you will not learn.

  Unlike most other responders, I learn transients paths, find
the defective parts, then replace those parts.  IOW I first
learn how transients do the damage by learning technology.
Point number one.  How will those silly little components
inside that UPS stop, block, or absorb what miles of sky could
not?  But then effective protectors do not stop, block, or
absorb transients.  Ineffective (and grossly overpriced)
protectors hope you will make such assumptions to promote
their ineffective (and overpriced) products.

  Point two: phone line already has effective 'whole house'
protector installed (and hopefully properly earthed) where
phone line enters a building.  Installed for free.  Protector
is even required by electrical codes. How are modems (POTS or
broadband) most often damaged?  A transient must first find a
destructive path through that modem to earth ground.  The most
common path is incoming on AC electric and outgoing to earth
ground via phone line.  Now we have defined the prerequisite
incoming and outgoing path.  Both must exist to have damage.
This NIST figure also demonstrates damage to fax machine when
ineffective protection is installed:
  http://www.epri-peac.com/tutorials/sol01tut.html

  Point three: protection is earth ground.  Surge protectors
are not protection.  Protector and protection are two
different components of a surge protection system.  The only
component that every protection system must include: earth
ground.  Ineffective protector manufacturers instead avoid all
discussion of earthing.  Again, look at that NIST figure.
Notice what protection is - earth ground.  Effective
protectors make a 'less than 10 foot' connection to earth.
The phone line protector - properly earthed - will do that.
But which lines, highest on utility poles (therefore so often
a source of destructive transients) enter the building and
connect direct to your modem without any earthing connection?
AC electric.

  Point four:  you must install an effective protector to make
the 'less than 10 foot' connection to earth ground.  It is
called a 'whole house' protector.  Provided by many
responsible manufacturers such as Siemens, Leviton, Square D,
Furse, Erico, Polyphaser, etc.  One sold in Home Depot is
Intermatic IG1240RC.   But again.  The protector is not
protection.  Your household earthing system must meet or
exceed post 1990 National Electrical Code earthing
requirements.  Again, ineffective protector manufacturers
avoid the entire topic to sell grossly overpriced and
ineffective products.

  What provides protection?  Earth ground.  Even a 'whole
house' protector is ineffective without that 'all so critical'
earth ground.  A surge protector is only as effective as its
earth ground.  So what is that UPS doing?  No earth ground
means no effective protection.  They are avoiding the entire
topic so that you will assume protection that does not exist.

fdsjk***@linuxmail.org wrote:
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Thanks for the reply, however, I only bought the UPS because blackouts
are common where I live and I need to be given a chance to save my work
before shutting down my PC...I assume it will do this perfectly as I've
tested it by pulling the plug to simulate a blackout and it works fine.

Recommended to protect your broadband interface as well as
other equipment is a 'whole house' protector at the source of
most destructive transients.  We still build new homes as if
the transistor did not exist.  AC electric therefore remains a
greatest threat to broadband interface equipment.  Others
erroneously assume that transient entered on telephone line.
Effective 'whole house' protector for residential service
costs about $1 per protected device.  One sold in Home Depot
is Intermatic model IG1240RC.

  Yes, that is a perfectly good test to demonstrate the
primary purpose of that UPS.

fdsjk***@linuxmail.org wrote:
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