Surge Protection is Very Important

Being in the computer business nearly 10 years now, I have learned one thing for certain. Lightening and computers do not like each other. Every spring I get to be the carrier of bad news to dozens of good people fallen victim to a lightening strike. Many of these victims didn’t even know that they had been hit and most of them already had a surge protector in place.

First of all not all surge protectors are made alike and a power strip is NOT a surge protector. There are a few things to consider when purchasing a proper surge protector. Surge protection is quite simply putting a weak link between your equipment and the outside lines. In the event of a lightening strike the weak point in the surge protector will burn out before the power surge reaches your equipment. Surge protectors are sold in many shapes and sizes, but the main thing you need to keep in mind is the Joules rating. Joules are a measurement used to rate the intensity of a power surge. When purchasing a surge protector make sure it has at a 500 Joules rating or higher. More is better when considering Joules, but remember unless you are protecting a highly sensitive million dollar piece of medical equipment anything over 1500 Joules is probably a waste.

The Second thing to keep in mind when purchasing a surge protector is to make sure it has phone line or broadband protection. Remember that any line connected to the utilities outside can carry a lightening surge. This includes telephone lines and cable lines. For those of you still using a telephone modem this is the number one way to lose your PC to lightening. The telephone line offers and uninterrupted path strait to the motherboard if left unprotected. For those of you who have moved on to broadband connections such as DSL or Cable, your new modem will probably take the hit for you and protect your PC. However, remember that modems are expensive to replace and why be down when there is no need for it.

The third thing to know is that Insurance companies have restrictions on PC equipment in most policies. And with the lower prices of PC equipment many items fall just short of the average deductibles making PC replacement an annoying expensive event.

If you don’t know what your surge protector is rated for replace it. We all can use an extra outlet strip around the house for lights and such. And definitely replace any power strip that lacks protection for a telephone line or broadband connection. With a little time and a little money you could save hundreds down the road.

TechTalk
produced and distributed by DataStar Productions
written by Chad Hembree