Hi everybody. With the summer storm season approaching, power outages and brown outs will become all too common. I know that most of you think you have enough protection by having that surge strip plugged into your outlet but is this really the case? We will discuss this in detail in the following column.
During the summer lightning season, we see more computers then any other time of the year come in with power related issues. Some of the symptoms include a system that does not power up, a computer that boots just about to sign on and then suddenly shuts down or sometimes a system that will boot up for a few minutes and then suddenly it shuts down with no warning. All these symptoms could be a sign that a power spike or a power failure has damaged your system. Often times, the power outages or spikes will occur when you are not at home so you often will have no idea that anything has happened. In many cases, this damage is totally avoidable with a few simple steps.
First, let me explain a little about the products you can purchase to protect your system. First, we have the common Power Surge Protector. These devices plug in line with your computer equipment and offer protection from surges of power coming through the lines. These surges can originate directly from the power company or they can come from lightning strikes. The surge protector has special circuitry, which stops the surge of electricity from entering your computer. This type of set up will work fine in many cases and will help eliminate or minimize high voltage from entering your system. In many other cases, the power does not surge but it will dip or completely go out for a few seconds or sometimes even a few minutes. This action can abruptly shut down your computer causing major damage.
When the power goes out, a surge protector will do nothing to protect your computer. In cases such as this, you need a UPS also called an Uninterrupted Power Supply. These devices come in many price ranges and wattages. The purpose of this device is to maintain a constant voltage to your PC. If the power flickers or goes out for a few seconds, the computer will remain on while the UPS adjusts the power output using the on board rechargeable battery. In addition, these devices also offer excellent surge protection. The main advantage of using this method is that your computer will remain on preventing the potential for severe damage to the main board or hardware. In addition, many come with software that will automatically shut down your computer in the event of a power failure while you are not home.
In my opinion, every computer should be protected with one of these units. You can purchase them at almost any retail store and the cost is well worth the peace of mind.
Author: Joe Zelenak, Staff Writer
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