Name 2 devices that can be used to protect your personal computer against power fluctuations
Where would we be without our tech gadgets? More and more, we find ourselves tethered to our phones, tablets, and devices. Gone are the days of the desktop-family computer and even the term “computer room;” we are fully connected from our watches to our touchscreen refrigerators and Wi-Fi enabled thermostats. Show
So what would happen if a single power surge took away all of our expensive devices? With all the time and money we have invested in our phones and computers, the least we can do is educate ourselves on how to protect those investments from power fluctuations. For homeowners, your best bet and safest first step is to have an electrician incorporate surge protection directly into the wiring at each outlet. This provides a baseline level of protection across your entire home without having to worry if a surge will affect your devices. Since most computer equipment uses 120 V of AC power supplied at 60 Hz, a person could use a multimeter to check the voltage of any power outlet to ensure that the utility company is providing a standard of power that lacks sags and surges. If your home or business has outdated electrical wiring, or if you’re just not sure, it would be wise to check with an electrician to confirm that all electrical outlets are grounded properly. Grounding allows for excess energy from power surges to be rerouted away from your devices. Don’t forget the tried-and-true surge protector. The traditional surge protector strip is an absolute “must-have” in any office or multi-device area of your home or business. When coupled with surge protection integrated at every outlet, plus ensuring that wiring has proper grounding, a surge protector provides a third level of security against the toll that a power fluctuation can have on your computer and other devices. Finally, take steps to ensure the safety of all of your files and media, as well as maintain the proper insurance in the event that a power fluctuation was to damage your computer. Cloud-based hard drive storage, as well as traditional external hard drives, provide affordable backup solutions that can lessen the blow of a damaging power surge. To learn more about what you can do to reduce your risk of power fluctuation damage in your home or business, contact Eric M. Krise Electrical Contractor at (856) 769-3932 or online by clicking here. This article is also available as a PDF download. PCs, servers, switches, routers, broadband modems, KVM #1: Verify electricity levelsMost computer equipment is designed to use 120 volts of AC When deploying new systems, and as facilities are expanded Use a multimeter to reveal the voltage an AC power outlet
#2: Confirm that supply circuits are grounded properlySurge protectors and UPS devices can’t properly safeguard Information technology professionals typically aren’t Many UPS and surge protector models will light a warning
Whenever deploying new equipment, be sure to first test the #3: Don’t overload circuitsRemember the Christmas Splitting outlets (using power strips, surge protectors, and As CPU speeds and capacities and video card capabilities, Several
resources are available for helping estimate
#4: Use a UPS/surge protectorAvoid deploying unprotected power strips, which do nothing Connect all sensitive electronic equipment
to UPS or surge Mobile systems pose a particular challenge. Ensure that all #5: Properly calculate UPS/surge protector capacityJust as electrical circuits can easily be overwhelmed, so Most UPS manufacturers provide interactive calculators you
When selecting surge protectors, purchase models featuring a Also ensure the surge protector selected includes lightning #6: Replace damaged or faulty UPS/surge protectorsWhen a surge protector or UPS sustains a
significant Although it’s tempting to continue using a UPS with only a #7: Protect telecommunications linksAlways make sure that servers, PCs, and network equipment When purchasing UPS and surge protection devices, look for #8: Test power suppliesDelicate electronic components within a computer, such as Power supplies are a frequent cause of system reboots and Whenever you encounter unexplained or intermittent reboots
Malfunctioning power supplies should be replaced immediately #9: Maintain proper operating temperaturesTemperature is a
well-known and well-documented enemy of Protect against electrical damage resulting from overheating I’ve encountered situations in which a PC’s exhaust fans Take steps to ensure that UPS devices also receive ample Electricity use consistently generates heat, and that heat #10: Maintain proper insuranceYou can take numerous steps to prevent electrical damage to Despite precautions, equipment can still end up being lost Review your organization’s property and casualty insurance What device is used to protect the system from power fluctuations?Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) - Helps protect against potential electrical power problems by supplying a consistent level of electrical power to a computer or other device. The battery is constantly recharging while the UPS is in use.
How do I protect my desktop from power fluctuations?Protecting Computers Against Power Fluctuations. Invest in surge protectors. These look like regular power bars, but they have built in fuses. ... . Invest in UPSs – Uninterruptible Power Supplies. These are essentially large batteries that are installed between the outlet and your electronics.. What device can be used to protect your computer against power failure?Installing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is an efficient way to protect your data against brownouts and surprise power outages. The system keeps your computer running for a few extra minutes while you save active data. Then, you can safely shut down equipment without harm to the devices or loss of data.
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