Power Protection for Your Computer Hardware - Surge Protectors and UPS'

It's been said that there are two types of computer users: those who have lost data because of a power problem, and those who are going to. Power failure and power surges are responsible for almost half of all data loss occurrences. Fortunately, it is relatively simple and inexpensive to protect against power problems.

Our computers need steady, "clean" power - power that does not sag, spike, or blackout. So how do we protect our computers and data from power problems? Since we don’t have unlimited budgets, we must design a system that gives us the maximum protection that we can afford. We must inventory our systems, and decide which ones need which level of protection.

Understanding Power Protection Equipment

There are three basic levels of power protection equipment commonly used today. Understanding the differences will help you decide which level is appropriate for each piece of equipment you want to protect.

Level 1 protection: The Surge Protector

The most basic protection begins with combating surges and spikes. Surge protectors are inexpensive devices that filter electrical power to eliminate surges and spikes before they get to your equipment.

APC SurgeArrest Home/Office
8-Outlets- $29.95

When purchasing a surge protector, the lower the let-through voltage, the better your equipment will be protected. It is also wise to purchase a surge protector that has a warranty that not only covers the surge protection device, but the equipment that it is protecting.

Note: Many surge protectors do not provide surge protection on every outlet they contain. Be sure to verify that each outlet you plug electronic equipment into is surge-protected.

Level 2 protection: The Uninterruptible Power Supply

The next level of protection involves purchasing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). UPS prices start at under $100 for very simple devices that provide protection for a laptop computer, to tens of thousands for large server rooms. For a small network server room, expect to pay between several hundred to a few thousand dollars for a UPS. A UPS provides battery backup that aids in saving data by keeping computer systems running with no interruption in the event of a blackout or over voltage. UPS’s also offer protection from surges, spikes, and sags.

APC Back-UPS ES 8 Out
550VA 12V - $95.00

When the power goes out, a UPS provides anywhere from a few minutes to several hours of power to keep your computers running. An important additional benefit of a UPS is that many also are equipped with a special software that senses a blackout, and safely shuts down any computers connected to them, writing unsaved data to disk, and issuing shutdown commands to the operating system.

Note:  If you are connecting multiple computers to a UPS, verify that it has the capability to safely shut down more than one computer.

Level 3 protection: Emergency Power Generation Equipment

A step up from Uninterruptible Power Supplies is Emergency Power Generation Equipment (EPGE). Such equipment is usually powered by Gasoline or Diesel fuel, and can provide power for extended periods. In a small installation, a portable generator is placed outside your business, and extension cords are run from the generator to critical equipment and portable lights. For more complex environments, or permanent installations, the generator is permanently mounted, and connected to the main power supply of the building.

The cost for EPGE begins at a few thousand dollars, and can rise exponentially, depending upon your needs.

Note: EPGE needs regular maintenance and testing. Just like you’re your car, your EPGE will need to be run periodically, tuned up, tested, etc.

Click here for information on selecting the right level of power protection.

- Janet F, IT Consultant

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: www.northerncomputer.ca