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Document ID: DJON-3FLMDM

PS/1 - Aptiva - Do I need a surge protector?

Applicable to: World-Wide

Sudden voltage fluctuations can have many causes, including lightning or power being restored after a blackout. If these fluctuations of electricity travel through the electrical outlet and into your computer, data can be lost, components worn, and your hard drive damaged. A surge protector is a device that protects electrical components that are plugged into it. It helps prevent electrical surge damage by acting as a buffer between the electrical source and your PC and peripherals. Most commercially available surge protectors are either three-mode or single-mode protectors. A three-mode surge protector will protect the positive, negative, and ground connections for an electrical device. Single-mode protectors usually only protect the positive connection. Because of this, single-mode protectors are not as reliable as three-mode surge protectors (and they typically cost less).

A surge protector differs from an uninterruptable power supply (UPS). A UPS provides backup power for a PC or other components. Depending on the type of UPS, power continues to be supplied to the PC for a few minutes (giving the user enough time to save files and close applications), or for hours. UPS systems typically provide surge suppression. Because of the power-supply feature of a UPS, they are usually far more expensive than surge protectors.

A UPS or a surge protector is a smart precaution for most computer users. Most people agree that a UPS benefits the end-user. However, if the benefit provided by the power-supply doesn't outweigh the cost of the UPS, a surge protector may be a better option. If you are purchasing a surge protector, choose a three-mode protector.

Specifications on the packaging (and often on the surge protector casing) will tell whether the protector is a three-mode protector or not. If nothing can be found stating that the surge protector is a three-mode protector, it probably provides single-mode protection only. Some surge protectors include protection from power surges on the phone line by providing an outlet for a phone line to be plugged into the protector.

Most manufacturers offer some type of guarantee with their surge protectors. For example, if your components are damaged while they are plugged into the surge protector, the manufacturer may reimburse you for the cost of the damage. Here's what some industry experts have to say about the need for a surge protector:

Winn L. Rosch, author of "The Winn Rosch Hardware Bible," says that surge protectors are important to have in some areas of the country. "It depends on where you live. If you live in Nebraska it doesn't really matter, but if you live in downtown New York City, your electricity is probably so bad you need all the help you can get," he states.

John DeBenedetti, senior support specialist at Epson America, Inc., says you should probably have a surge protector if you live in an industrial area. "A surge can cause you to lose a lot of data. If you're working and all of a sudden a surge goes into your power supply, it can damage it," DeBenedetti says. "If you're in the middle of something you could lose the data. I think they're important. For a few dollars more you could save a lot of money down the line."

Contrary to what some people think, surge protectors don't prevent lightning from entering your PC. "If lightning hits the ground anywhere in the vicinity of your power line and wants to come through that, it's going to take a lot more than a $50 surge protector to protect the computer," he says. "Most damage is done, because for whatever reason your power has gone off, when it first comes back on it sends a surge through the power line. So yes, I think surge protectors are important." You can also damage your PC by leaving your modem plugged into the phone line jack during electrical storms. "I think more people get damage that way," he says. "A phone line acts as live wire that can transmit a power surge to the modem. This could cause serious damage to your modem and your computer. "I suggest unplugging the modem phone line from the wall jack if a storm is approaching."

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	Hint Category	Power
	Date Created	28-03-97
	Last Updated	09-03-99
	Revision Date	09-03-2000
	Brand	IBM Aptiva
	Product Family	Aptiva, PS/1
	Machine Type	2134, 2136, 2137, 2138, 2139, 2140, 2142, 2144, 2153, 2156, 2158, 2159, 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2168, 2176, 2011, 2121, 2123, 2133, 2155
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