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Happy Computing Tip #107
Surge Protectors – Why Use Them?
By Switch, the I.T. Support Robot

What is a surge protector?

It’s a device that protects a computer or electronic device from surges in the electrical power that flow from the power supply. In simpler terms, it’s a device that protects your computer from power surges, or a spike in your electrical current. Power surges can last only a thousandth of a second. However, they can cause problems if you’re not protected from them. So how can you protect your electronic equipment from power surges? By following the steps below:

1. Invest in a good surge protector. They have some for as little as $10.00. In the case of surge protectors, the bigger the better. “Bigger” is the capacity of the surge protector to absorb electrical spikes, or Joules. However, be careful not to get a power strip. They look the same, but they’re not the same thing. To tell if you’re buying a surge protector, look at the packaging for an electric rating. A surge protector will have a rating in Joules of energy, as well as the maximum voltage it can take from a power spike. If you find those numbers either on the box it came in or on the strip itself, then it’s a surge protector. They look like the image on the right. Most Surge protectors have a hidden weakness, once they do their job and absorb the electrical damage they will continue to work as a simple power splitter. They will have a small LED indicator that indicates if you are still protected. This requires the user to regularly check the protection status. A better option would be to invest in a surge protector that has a feature called “Fail-Safe”. In this case, when the surge protector reaches the limit of its protective ability it ceases to function entirely. This forces the end user to take action, replacing the surge protector with a fresh one.

2. It’s a common belief that a surge protector will protect you from a lightning storm. That is NOT the case. Even the most effective surge protector can’t protect computers and equipment from the huge voltage that lightning induces. So if a lightning storm does occur, the best thing to do is turn off and unplug computers, TVs, printers, etc.

3. In the event that your computer is affected by a power surge, it’s critical that you have backups in place. We know we talk about this often, but it’s serious and important that you have all your files backed up. We don’t want you to lose those wonderful pictures from your vacation last year, the super important project for your company, or your great-grandmother’s recipe. If you want to see the different types of backups available, click here.

If you don’t have a surge protector, it’s crucial that you get one. If you need advice or help on which surge protector to get, give us a call! We’ll be happy to help. Another very important device to have is a UPS, or Uninterruptible Power Supply, but we’ll talk about that another time.

If you would like to see more tips, tricks, and fun, follow and like us on our social media. Stay tuned for next week’s email, but until then

Happy Computing!!!