Power

Computers need electricity. They feed on power and cannot survive for long without it. That's a simple fact of life. Another fact is electricity is also a computer's worst enemy.
Okay, simply put, your computer system, modem, hub (a device to allow more than one system to be connected to a network at one time), printer, scanner and everything else connected to your computer uses power. Generally speaking, this electricity comes straight from the wall without conditioning of any kind.

In these days of brownouts and blackouts, there is some danger in just plugging your computer and associated peripherals directly into a wall socket.

Over twenty years ago I learned how dangerous this was the hard way - and it literally almost cost me my life! I was a youngster, still wet behind the ears, a relative newcomer to the computer industry. Back in those days computers were much larger than they are now - some systems required an entire room to themselves with dedicated air conditioning and electricity.

I had recently obtained employment with a computer consulting firm. Because I was new, I got the assignments that no one else wanted. Thus, one rainy evening in December I found myself working in the computer room of one of the largest apartment rental companies in the world (at the time, anyway). We were behind schedule and it was my job to complete a General Ledger program by the end of the week.

It was one of those spooky nights, with heavy rain, thunder and lightening (you see where this is going, don't you?) I was busy typing away at my system, shivering in an ice cold computer room, when there was a flash outside the window.

Fortunately for me, my hands were not on the keyboard and I was not touching the computer system. Suddenly everything lit up like a Christmas tree for a second, then the lights went out and all was dark. I was frightened out of my mind and ran out of the room.

During the next few hours, my boss and I pieced together what had happened. Lightening had struck the pole next to the building and Lord knows how many volts of electricity surged through the computer system. What we knew was simple - several hundred thousand dollars of equipment ceased to exist in a fraction of a second!

That's when I learned how important surge protection is to the life of a computer system. Personally, I do not believe that even an excellent surge protector would have saved our computer at that time, but surges happen all of the time and they are constantly damaging delicate electronic gear.

If you are going to purchase a surge protector, get a good one (you'll spend around $50 for one) which also protects modem lines. You see, electricity does not care how it gets to your computer - a modem phone line will do nicely.

I would also recommend the best UPS that you can afford. This will smooth out the power greatly and protect you from small blackouts (depending upon how large it is) as well as brownouts.

To summarize, protect your computer system and peripherals with the best UPS you can find and a good surge protector which also guards your modem line.

About the Author

Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets. This website includes over 1,000 free articles to improve your internet profits, enjoyment and knowledge.
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