Working with Surge Protectors
Lightning and power surges ruin thousands of computers everyday. Since not every surge protector gives you the coverage you need, here's what you need to know.
View the Quick Tip Video
(You will need RealVideo to view this file)
transcript:
Power surges and lightning are normal occurrences but are dangerous to computer equipment. Lightning is especially dangerous. It can send a spectacular power surge along any conductive line and can destroy everything in its path. It strikes somewhere on the surface of the earth about 100 times every second.
A good surge protector will protect your equipment. They come in many different shapes and sizes, including small compact units for travel. Look for these features in a surge protector
- Make sure it is a surge protector rather than just a power strip.
- The box should state that the surge protector will cover lightning strikes. Some do not.
- The box should show that there is insurance to cover the loss of properly attached equipment.
- If you have a dial up modem, get a surge protector with an R-11 telephone jack where you can hook up your telephone line.
- If you are using a cable modem, get a surge protector which will also accommodate your television/Internet cable.
Installing your surge protector is easy. When you get your surge protector home, plug it into the wall and then plug your computer equipment into it. Plug telephone line or cable line from the wall into the surge protector. Then use another cable to run the line from the surge protector to the computer.
A surge protector that also give you enough battery backup power to prevent data loss. When purchasing one, look for same qualities as in surge protector. Plus, check out the length of time that the battery power will last.
