You invest significantly in computing equipment, but have you taken measures to protect your investment?  Computers and associated equipment can be compromised by several factors; the two most significant are electrical power problems and heat.  Heat will deteriorate your equipment over time while power problems are normally instantaneous.  In either case, taking preventive action will ensure your equipment is functional when you need it and prevent costly downtime and repairs. Heat aversely affects most equipment and is the most often overlooked threat to your equipment.  Today’s faster computers draw more electrical power than ever and therefore generate more heat internally.  Internal heat is far more likely to compromise your equipment life than external heat.  While your computer is equipped with fans, heat sinks and other devices to circulate this generated heat away from your computer, you should ensure that they can effectively do their job.  Provide air space around your computer allowing air to flow easily into and out of your computer.  Be careful of space heaters that may be located in the area and which may introduce heated air into your equipment.  Finally, check periodically that air is actually flowing through your equipment (i.e. the internal fans are working).

Power protection requires more planning and some investment.  There are two levels of power protection: surge suppression and continuous power (a.k.a. battery or generator backup).  Electrical power is subject to ebbs and flows in strength.  While these ebbs and flows are not normally a problem for most equipment, they can cause problems with more sensitive items like your computers.  The ebbs in electrical current are known as brownouts while higher flows of power exceeding the normal level are called spikes. 

Surge suppression equipment is designed to protect your computers and peripherals from these power fluctuations.  Not all surge suppression equipment is equal.  A $5 to $10 multi outlet power stick equipped with a circuit breaker provides little protection from power surges and no protection from low power ebbs as they cannot respond quickly enough to really protect your computing investment.  These devices are nothing more than glorified extension cords. 

Quality protection from fluctuations in current is called line conditioning.  Line conditioning utilizes either battery backup and/or capacitors that intercede between your incoming power and your equipment in order to provide a consistent and reliable level of power.  Surge suppression should include protection on phone lines, cable/Internet lines and local network cabling as well, since these provide a pathway for errant electrical surges.

A more advanced form of power protection is an uninterruptible power system (UPS).  These devices utilize both capacitors and an alternate source of power to provide not only consistent but continuous power to your equipment.  When a UPS experiences a drop in power level it automatically provides instant power from its backup source thus preventing your computers from turning off.  This level of protection not only safeguards your equipment, but it also protects whatever computing job you may be working on at the time.  UPS equipment also provides surge protection for electrical spikes. 

Power backup devices are available in many sizes and strengths.  The critical measures for selecting a proper UPS are watts of power provided and duration of auxiliary power when a total power failure occurs.  Since most UPS devices employ batteries for auxiliary power, the life of your backup power is measured in minutes.  This limited time of auxiliary power only comes into play during a total power failure and should provide enough time for you to save your work and systematically shut down your computer system. 

Many of today’s power backup systems will even communicate with your computer to tell it to shut down during a complete loss of power.  When selecting a UPS, don’t skimp.  Select a UPS with a watt rating that exceeds the equipment you intend it to protect.  Watts are the key – not VA (volt amps) – so if in doubt, “more is better” when selecting your power backups.

Review your power protection investment, assess your needs and respond accordingly.  But remember, it’s not a question of IF you will need power protection; it’s a matter of WHEN.

Vol 3, Issue 12