Issue 45.10
These are also called battery back-ups and are used to keep power running at a constant rate to your computer regardless of whether there is a surge in your voltage, a power outage or what is called a brown-out (when the voltage drops below what is safe for the computer). Brown-outs occur during storms and high usage times such as extremely hot or cold days and sometimes when a lot of people are arriving home from work or school and there is an extra demand on the power company.
Everyone knows that surges can destroy computer equipment. What many people don’t know is that low voltage (brown-outs) is equally dangerous and can damage your equipment as well. Home electric service is rated at 120 volts but fluctuates between 116-122 volts and equipment (including computers) is designed to handle that variation. When voltage suddenly jumps (during storms or right after a power outage) computer chips can be damaged, fans can burn out and other problems can and do occur. When voltage drops into the 110-115 volt range or below, computers often start acting strangely and can be damaged as they try to compensate. Data can be lost or corrupted and many other problems can occur.
Many inexpensive plug bars (strips that you plug into the wall and then plug multiple devices into) have circuits that degrade over time and after exposure to surges. This leads to a lower voltage than what is available at the wall plug – often dropping the voltage by 3-8 volts.
I use and strongly recommend a UPS power system for all my (and your) computers. I also use them for my TV (especially flat panels) and other systems that are controlled by dedicated computers. This can even include many of the new high-tech appliances such as refrigerators, stereo systems, electronic musical instruments and many other things.
UPS or battery backups are made by a number of manufacturers including APC, Tripplite, Belkin and others. Basic ones are available in the $40-$50 range and, in addition to protecting your equipment, give you time to shut down your computers, etc. in a power outage which can help you save whatever you have been working on instead of losing it or having it corrupted by low or no power. You can buy them at OfficeMax, Staples, Best Buy and many other stores that have office or computer equipment.
Consider this an insurance investment. The batteries have to be replaced every 2 to 4 years, but even with that it’s a whole lot cheaper than replacing your equipment. So, stay safe – and, as always, make sure you have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 29 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.