Filter
Top Products
52 Managing Your Computer
When purchasing a surge suppressor:
■ Make sure the surge suppressor meets the appropriate product safety
certification for your location, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
■ Check the maximum amount of voltage the suppressor allows to pass
through the line. The lower the voltage that the suppressor allows to pass
through, the better the protection for your computer.
■ Check the energy absorption (dissipation) rating. The higher the energy
absorption rating, the better the protection for your computer.
■ Check for line-conditioner capabilities. A line conditioner smooths out
some of the normal line noise (small voltage fluctuations) of an electrical
supply.
Line conditioners
A line conditioner protects your computer from the small fluctuations in
voltage from an electrical supply. Most computers can handle this variation,
called line noise, without problems. However, some electrical sources include
more line noise than normal. Line noise can also be a problem if your
computer is located near, or shares a circuit with, a device that causes
electromagnetic interference, such as a television or a motor.
Some surge suppressors and uninterruptible power supplies include simple
line-conditioning capabilities.
Uninterruptible power supplies
Use a standby uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect your computer
from data loss during a total power failure. A UPS uses a battery to keep your
computer running temporarily during a power failure and lets you save your
work and shut down your computer. You cannot run your computer for an
extended period of time while using only the UPS.