Mac shut down due to power cut - bad for Mac?

[Silly John Fatty]

I have this new Mac mini on which I spent quite some
money, so I’m very cautious with it.

Recently we had workers doing something in the garden and the power in the house had to be cut.

My Mac mini was sleeping I believe (or maybe it was doing things, but either way the screen wasn’t on).

How bad could this have been for my Mac? Is it micro-damaged now? What can I do to make it safer when there’s power failures? I’ve heard there’s special power outlets or something like that.

 

[Boyd01]

I have this new Mac mini on which I spent quite some
money, so I’m very cautious with it.

Feeling that way, you should definitely have it connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), sometimes called a battery backup system (BBS). There are many different companies that make these, APC and Tripp-Lite are two of the oldest. They are readily available at "big box" stores that sell electronics here in the US, or you could get them from Amazon and other online merchants otherwise if not available locally in your location.

I have two large ones for my primary mac, two mac mini servers, internet router and wifi access point. Can't imagine not having any sort of battery backup, have been using them since my first Mac in 1985. You need to calculate (approximately) the wattage of your computer and other devices and purchase an appropriate UPS. You will probably find calculators for this on UPS vendor websites. For a budget situation, just get one big enough to give you time to shut everything down. Get a big one if you want to continue using your computers during an outage. There's also software to automatically shut down your computer during an outage, but I don't use that.

I'm in a rural location and also have a standby generator to use during long outages (the worst was 5 days back around 2016). As for your other question, your outage probably didn't do any permanent damage but that's impossible for me to know. SSD-based computers tend to be more robust for this kind of thing, spinning hard drives are more sensitive to power outage damage in my experience.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Feeling that way, you should definitely have it connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), sometimes called a battery backup system (BBS). There are many different companies that make these, APC and Tripp-Lite are two of the oldest. They are readily available at "big box" stores that sell electronics here in the US, or you could get them from Amazon and other online merchants otherwise if not available locally in your location.

I have two large ones for my primary mac, two mac mini servers, internet router and wifi access point. Can't imagine not having any sort of battery backup, have been using them since my first Mac in 1985. You need to calculate (approximately) the wattage of your computer and other devices and purchase an appropriate UPS. You will probably find calculators for this on UPS vendor websites. For a budget situation, just get one big enough to give you time to shut everything down. Get a big one if you want to continue using your computers during an outage. There's also software to automatically shut down your computer during an outage, but I don't use that.

I'm in a rural location and also have a standby generator to use during long outages (the worst was 5 days back around 2016). As for your other question, your outage probably didn't do any permanent damage but that's impossible for me to know. SSD-based computers tend to be more robust for this kind of thing, spinning hard drives are more sensitive to power outage damage in my experience.

Thanks for the detailed answer!

Those power supplies are what I was thinking of. But basically, if I understand it right, they all have a battery and just delay the shutdown, right?

Also, is there any way at all to shut down a Mac safely other than through the power button or the OS?

What kind of damage can power failure cause to such a new, modern Mac? I don't think any files were lost. I haven't checked it yet. But most of my data is in the cloud I believe, I really hope there's no micro-damage that's been done to the hardware. I'd almost rather lose files than have the hardware damaged at this point, lol.

 

[dwig]

A clean power failure only risks damage to files, including the OS files. Most "power failures", though, are complex events with brief low power states and a few power surges. These can damage hardware.

Some UPSs can interface with the OS to signal that they are supplying power, rather than the mains, and can negotiate with the OS to have the OS do a proper shutdown at the batteries approach their runtime limit.

 

[Boyd01]

Those power supplies are what I was thinking of. But basically, if I understand it right, they all have a battery and just delay the shutdown, right?

Sure, your mac will be running on battery power and time is limited to its capacity. With just a Mini, that could be a pretty long time with a large UPS (several hours) but you will probably also want to connect your monitor and internet router/modem at a minimum. That could significantly reduce the runtime. Like I said, most companies that sell these power supplies will have some sort of calculator on their site to help you choose the model that provides the runtime you want for the devices you need to connect. For example, here's a product selector on APC's website.

UPS Selector

Like I said, there is software that is supposed to automatically shutdown your computer but I've never used any of it myself.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

All good advice in this thread. As shared in #4, there is usually an option to connect to Battery Backup with a USB cable and then battery and Mac can communicate with each other. Set the Mac to shut down before Battery Backup is exhausted and marginalize nearly all worry.

If so, Mac will carry on while battery is able to support it and only shut down when the backup option is almost exhausted. Typically power outages not caused by major events are brief, so power will often be restored before the battery is exhausted.

 

[Boyd01]

Only marginally on topic, but it was pretty funny at the time. Long ago, I was sitting in a little shop office doing drafting in VectorWorks on my 2008 MacBook Pro while one of my employees was doing the same on an older Mac desktop. Suddenly we were hit by a power outage. He hadn't saved his work for awhile and was upset. Then he looked over at me and saw my computer was still running and got mad... "Why is YOUR computer still running?". "Because it's a laptop with its own battery" I replied! 🤣

I went out the next day and got a UPS for that desktop computer.

 

[MarkC426]

Thanks for the detailed answer!

Those power supplies are what I was thinking of. But basically, if I understand it right, they all have a battery and just delay the shutdown, right?

Also, is there any way at all to shut down a Mac safely other than through the power button or the OS?

I have 2 CyberPower UPS's, very happy with them.
You connect a USB to Mac and you get another panel in energy saver settings, with shutdown options.

A 1300-1500va model should be more than enough for a mini/monitor/router.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

A clean power failure only risks damage to files, including the OS files.

Do you think is following case a 'clean power failure'? We shut down a part of the circuit of the house & garden to install a new lamp outside. Turns out the circuit where we mounting the new lamp wasn't shut down. So there was a circuit failure on the entire house while the worker I believe tried to connect the wires to the new lamp or something like that.

Most "power failures", though, are complex events with brief low power states and a few power surges. These can damage hardware.

Do you mean it is the power surges that can damage hardware, or most power failures in general?

Sure, your mac will be running on battery power and time is limited to its capacity. With just a Mini, that could be a pretty long time with a large UPS (several hours) but you will probably also want to connect your monitor and internet router/modem at a minimum. That could significantly reduce the runtime. Like I said, most companies that sell these power supplies will have some sort of calculator on their site to help you choose the model that provides the runtime you want for the devices you need to connect. For example, here's a product selector on APC's website.

UPS Selector

Like I said, there is software that is supposed to automatically shutdown your computer but I've never used any of it myself.

Oh wow, these are huge, I was expecting something the size of a multiple power socket. I don't think I have space for this stuff, I guess I'll just make sure to shut down the computer if we work on something electrical or if there's a storm.

Still risky though, but I believe I haven't lost anything so far yet (until it happens of course 🤣).

Is there no smaller solution? Perhaps without battery? I don't need the Mac to stay on. I don't mind if it's shut down. Mine was sleeping at that moment so I wasn't doing anything, the probability that I lose work in progress is very small in my case.

I just want it to shut down safely if it's sleeping (or running) and a power failure happens. But I don't know if this is possible in the first place? I thought I had read about it and I saw some special power sockets that would add some safety.

 

[Isamilis]

I have this new Mac mini on which I spent quite some
money, so I’m very cautious with it.

Recently we had workers doing something in the garden and the power in the house had to be cut.

My Mac mini was sleeping I believe (or maybe it was doing things, but either way the screen wasn’t on).

How bad could this have been for my Mac? Is it micro-damaged now? What can I do to make it safer when there’s power failures? I’ve heard there’s special power outlets or something like that.

If there is power cut it will be much safer to shutdown / turn off properly. I’d prefer to wait for 1-2 minute for startup than having issues on that expensive machine.

 

[Boyd01]

Is there no smaller solution? Perhaps without battery? I don't need the Mac to stay on. I don't mind if it's shut down. Mine was sleeping at that moment so I wasn't doing anything, the probability that I lose work in progress is very small in my case.

It needs a battery to accomplish anything... with no battery, your computer stops in the middle of whatever it's doing when the power goes out. A pretty small one would probably meet your needs and just provide a few minutes of runtime so you could do a proper shutdown. It can sit on the floor under your desk. Is there some kind of local large store that sells computers/electronics that you could visit to see some in person?

 

[Silly John Fatty]

If there is power cut it will be much safer to shutdown / turn off properly. I’d prefer to wait for 1-2 minute for startup than having issues on that expensive machine.

The power cut was basically an accident, it's not like it was on purpose lol. It's not like I am too lazy to wait for the boot time haha (you said 1-2 minutes and out of curiosity I just measured it: From the moment I pressed the power button it took 9 seconds for the Apple logo to appear, and 12 seconds in total to be at the login screen 😳).

It needs a battery to accomplish anything... with no battery, your computer stops in the middle of whatever it's doing when the power goes out. A pretty small one would probably meet your needs and just provide a few minutes of runtime so you could do a proper shutdown. It can sit on the floor under your desk. Is there some kind of local large store that sells computers/electronics that you could visit to see some in person?

There surely most be some. I can buy it only though, it's no problem and they usually give dimensions. So you're saying there's no way for the computer to stop whatever it's doing right away in a safe way, right? I'm no expect in electricity and things like that, so I have no idea what exactly it is that could potentially harm the computer. I'm not sure what happens during a power cut. And probably there's many different types of power cuts on top of that.

It's a complicated matter to own a computer 🙃 I guess I'll just get the smallest possible UPS.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You need enough battery backup time for it to communicate to your Mac to shut down. A smaller battery backup could give you that time. But none of them will be super small. Typically, buyers want to plug multiple things in to put several pieces of tech on backup. So single purpose "small" is not a common objective.

But, where there's a will, there's a way. Maybe the "too big" battery backup can reside through a wall with extension cords + USB running through a wall hole to your Mac? A little hole in drywall is easy to cut, run a couple of heavy duty extension cords and a long USB cable through, seal it all up nicely and then you have access to the battery backup that may actually be quite a distance from your Mac

Or there are these batteries called whole house battery backup which puts the whole place on battery backup. Those are much more expensive but generally "live" near your circuit breaker box. Along with your Mac, they can help prevent things like your A/V equipment, fridge, etc from dealing with surges and power outages. Some of that can be just as expensive to replace due to power issues as a Mac. For example, if lightning kills your A/C or Heating unit, you'll wish it has been your Mac instead. A good refrigerator in 2023 can cost more than a fairly loaded Mac. Your A/V setup probably costs more than your Mac. Etc. There's generally just as fragile electronics in all kinds of stuff at up to the same risk of a Mac getting zapped.

 

[dwig]

...
Do you mean it is the power surges that can damage hardware, or most power failures in general?
...

A simple power failure resulting from turning off the wrong circuit breaker will only risk files that may be open. The more complex events (e.g. neighborhood power transformer fails, tree falling across power lines ,...) can produce surges where power goes on and off several times over a second or so. These can do damage to hardware.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

A simple power failure resulting from turning off the wrong circuit breaker will only risk files that may be open. The more complex events (e.g. neighborhood power transformer fails, tree falling across power lines ,...) can produce surges where power goes on and off several times over a second or so. These can do damage to hardware.

So if I’m only worried about the hardware getting damaged, a power socket with surge protection will be enough right?

You need enough battery backup time for it to communicate to your Mac to shut down. A smaller battery backup could give you that time. But none of them will be super small. Typically, buyers want to plug multiple things in to put several pieces of tech on backup. So single purpose "small" is not a common objective.

But, where there's a will, there's a way. Maybe the "too big" battery backup can reside through a wall with extension cords + USB running through a wall hole to your Mac? A little hole in drywall is easy to cut, run a couple of heavy duty extension cords and a long USB cable through, seal it all up nicely and then you have access to the battery backup that may actually be quite a distance from your Mac

Or there are these batteries called whole house battery backup which puts the whole place on battery backup. Those are much more expensive but generally "live" near your circuit breaker box. Along with your Mac, they can help prevent things like your A/V equipment, fridge, etc from dealing with surges and power outages. Some of that can be just as expensive to replace due to power issues as a Mac. For example, if lightning kills your A/C or Heating unit, you'll wish it has been your Mac instead. A good refrigerator in 2023 can cost more than a fairly loaded Mac. Your A/V setup probably costs more than your Mac. Etc. There's generally just as fragile electronics in all kinds of stuff at up to the same risk of a Mac getting zapped.

I know, you’re right. I think I might get one of those UPSs that were recommended here. I saw some with 6, I think that’s enough. I don’t have much to protect.

In the case of the Mac I just want the hardware to be safe. I spent quite some money on this Mac and want to keep it for long.

I’ll have external storage for backup too and for that I think it will be better to have a UPS. And then when I have it I might as well connect the Mac to it. Not sure if it would make sense to connect my Apple Studio Display to it. I heard these things have a processor (one you also find in iPhones and iPads I think).

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Don't think in terms of 6 "outlets." It's the other number that really counts. Most of them are going to have 5-6 battery backup outlets. The other number is going to be 600, 700, 900, 1000, 1200, 1500. Generally the bigger the number, the more time you will have in battery mode (and the more they will cost). Generally those that are 1500 are the biggest consumer units widely available. That would be one like this one.

YES, if it is possible, hook everything on your desk into it, including monitor. While ASD does have the iDevice processor, those have some protection by having their battery on board. Your ASD monitor does not. Its chip and your Macs chip are almost the same chip... cousins at most... both likely having the same amount of surge/power flux risk.

If you have a printer, plug it into battery backup too. Hub? Yep. Self-powered accessories? Yep.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Don't think in terms of 6 "outlets." It's the other number that really counts. Most of them are going to have 5-6 battery backup outlets. The other number is going to be 600, 700, 900, 1000, 1200, 1500. Generally the bigger the number, the more time you will have in battery mode (and the more they will cost). Generally those that are 1500 are the biggest consumer units widely available. That would be one like this one.

YES, if it is possible, hook everything on your desk into it, including monitor. While ASD does have the iDevice processor, those have some protection by having their battery on board. Your ASD monitor does not. Its chip and your Macs chip are almost the same chip... cousins at most... both likely having the same amount of surge/power flux risk.

Alright, I'll probably get that, but a much smaller one. The smallest I can find. The computer is shut down almost the entire time anyway, and if there's a power cut I'll be near and will be able to turn it off right away.

The only thing left wondering is what numbers do I need to watch out for when calculating all my devices together? The total wattage per hour of all devices combined?

(and btw still wondering if surge protection in a normal multi power outlet will be sufficient to protect from hardware damages)

 

[Apple_Robert]

I had to replace the APC connected to my two Synology NAS' and this is what I got from Amazon.

APC UPS 1000VA UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector, BX1000M Backup Battery Power Supply, AVR, Dataline Protection

This APC battery back up power supply offers guaranteed power and surge protection for wireless networks, computers, and other electronics in your home or business. Backup battery power supply is designed for use during outages and unsafe voltage fluctuations, and provides surge protector with ba...

www.amazon.com

 

[MarkC426]

So you're saying there's no way for the computer to stop whatever it's doing right away in a safe way, right? I'm no expect in electricity and things like that, so I have no idea what exactly it is that could potentially harm the computer. I'm not sure what happens during a power cut. And probably there's many different types of power cuts on top of that.

Think of it like if you pull the plug out on any electrical device.....it just goes off immediately.
Can you not position it on the floor next to the plug socket?

I have always had a UPS since my G5 days.
It is like any insurance, in place when it's required.

For an expensive Mac, it is piece of mind to protect your hardware.

You would need at least your monitor connected otherwise you couldn't manually shut down when on battery.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Think of it like if you pull the plug out on any electrical device.....it just goes off immediately.

But what's the bad thing about that? What harm can it do and why?

Can you not position it on the floor next to the plug socket?

I can but my feet and a wall are there (my desk is facing a wall) and it would look ugly and take too much space, but I'll just get one of those smaller ones, it'll be sufficient for my needs and I'll have time to shut down properly.

You would need at least your monitor connected otherwise you couldn't manually shut down when on battery.

True!

 

[MarkC426]

But what's the bad thing about that? What harm can it do and why?

I don't know the electrical technicalities of this, but a hard shutdown can damage any electrical components, and/or corrupt data.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

I don't know the electrical technicalities of this, but a hard shutdown can damage any electrical components, and/or corrupt data.

In the end I decided I'll just go with a standard multiple power socket with surge protection. From what I've read this is the most dangerous thing that can damage your device.

Everything else I believe isn't that dangerous, and is more about losing your work-in-progress, or damaging your HDD. My Mac Mini has an SSD so that's no topic and I have no work-in-progress really, everything auto-saves. So not sure if a power cut could damage my hardware in any other way, but at least I'll be protected against power surges, and the thing is small and will replace my current power socket.

 

[dwig]

...
I can but my feet and a wall are there (my desk is facing a wall) and it would look ugly and take too much space, but I'll just get one of those smaller ones, it'll be sufficient for my needs and I'll have time to shut down properly.
...

We have a similar floorspace issue with one of our workstations in the studio. Our solution was to get and undershelf wire basket for the UPS so that it hangs under the back of the desktop.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

We have a similar floorspace issue with one of our workstations in the studio. Our solution was to get and undershelf wire basket for the UPS so that it hangs under the back of the desktop.

I want to get such a thing for the normal power socket. Too much clutter on the floor right now.