Tripp Lite

ECO Series UPS System

When Tripp Lite went into business in 1922, the Union Stock Yards was one of its neighbors. The yards are long gone, of course. But Tripp Lite is still on Chicago's South Side, cranking out products for today's always-on economy. Its latest: an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system that's environmentally friendly. UPS systems supply several minutes of backup power during blackouts so users can save their files. Last year, David Slotten, director of product management, led the development of the ECO Series UPS. The device, which looks like a power strip, provides backup power and surge protection, but also shuts off peripheral devices when not in use to save electricity. How it works: The ECO Series UPS connects to the USB port on the user's PC, which acts like a sensor. When the computer goes into standby or hibernation mode, it signals to the UPS that the user is no longer active. In about three minutes, the UPS shuts off any other electronics plugged into it, such as modems, printers, and desk lamps. If the user wants to keep them on, there is a button to override shut down. The device costs $49 to $99, depending on the number of outlets, and can shave $50 a year from a customer's power bill, says Slotten, 42. The ECO Series UPS is also compliant with Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) standards, which restrict the use of six substances that contribute to e-waste. Tripp Lite, which has 450 employees, had nearly $1 billion in revenue last year. –Venessa Wong