Power Surge

Background

Here in Florida, there are many lightning storms that can strike your computer. Either the power supply gets zapped via lightning hitting the power lines or modems get zapped from lightning strikes to telephone lines. It can be expensive to fix, but there are ways to avoid this.

Power surges can cause trouble too. Surges often go unnoticed, often lasting only 1/120th of a second, but they are much more common and destructive than you might think. According to recent studies, your electrical equipment is constantly experiencing surges of varying power. Some of them can be absorbed by your power supply while others can only be handled by a quality surge suppressor. The most destructive power surges will wipe out anything that gets in their way!

Protect your computer

• Get a good surge protector - We're not talking about those cheap $10 power strips either. Those will NOT protect you. You want to get a surge protector that is rated for maximum protection. Cost: $50

• Get a UPS - A UPS or "Uninterruptible Power Supply" works best. It contains a powerful battery that acts as a safe buffer against line spikes, but it also will keep power supplied to your computer long enough for you to save your work and shut it down. cost: $85

• Pull the Plug - If you see storm clouds brewing, the fastest, safest, and cheapest way to guarantee that your computer survives a storm is to unplug it from the wall. Cost: $0

• Don't forget the modem - Your modem can also get whacked by lightning. Unplug your phone line from your computer or get a telephone line surge protector. Cost: $25

Email: swflcomputing@hotmail.com
Tel: (239) 543-7769