Issue 12.10
One big enemy of computers is uneven power. Most people are aware of how devastating a power surge can be on computer systems. Almost everyone has a “Surge Suppressor” type of plug bar that they plug their computers and peripherals into to protect them from power surges. Surges can happen during storms, but they can also occur when the power comes back on after a power outage. One thing to be aware of is that many power bars (which plug into the wall and have 4 to 8 outlets on them) are not surge suppressors. Unless the product states clearly that it is a surge suppressor and what type of surges it will protect your equipment from, do NOT rely on it to keep your computer safe from power fluctuations. These cheaper units often lose power after surges and can cause problems with your system by providing low voltage (discussed below). Most of the good units will have a suppression rating and the better ones guarantee that your equipment will not be damaged by surges, and they offer to pay for damaged equipment (but not for lost data).
The other type of problem comes from low power situations or “brown-outs” as they are usually called. This is when the voltage drops below around 111-113 Volts on a 120 volt line. When the voltage drops too low, computers begin to act erratically and eventually fail altogether. The low voltage can cause slow fan speeds and resulting overheating, data loss and lock ups. It can be every bit as damaging to your systems as high voltage. Brown-outs usually occur during times when electricity is in high demand, such as extremely hot or cold days/nights when heating and air conditioning units are in high usage.
You can protect yourself from this problem by improving your power management with a combination UPS/Surge Suppressor. UPS stands for Uninterrupted Power Supply (not the shipping company). These units use a high-power battery to run your system which is continually being charged by incoming power. It regulates the output to a narrow range, and the better ones condition the power to make sure it has little or no interference or static. They will keep your system running for a while in the event of brown-outs or power failures. Your system will be more reliable and last longer if you make this investment. You do need to be aware that the batteries in these units wear out in 2 to 4 years and either the battery or the unit needs to be replaced at that point.
Hopefully this information will help you keep your system running smoothly. Be safe – and always have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 28 years (locally with Musicomp & Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions, you can reach him at 668-7118.