Electric power problems and solutions, especially in Puerto Rico:
Alternative computer grade Electric Power Protection
If you are not going to use a battery backup with a voltage regulator, then you
should examine the other choices listed below for a lower level of protection.
There are basically two other protection choices and one other that is
potentially a safety hazard with what I call a counterfeit Power Surge
protector.
Power Strips
A power strip is NOT an alternate computer grade Electric Power
Protection device. It is basically an extension cord that allows you to plug in
several devices all into one line or one socket. One common dangerous mistake is
to plug in a power strip with several devices and then plug in another power
strip into the first one. This can cause a severe problem for the devices that
are plugged into the strip and can even cause a fuse to blow. A power STRIP is
NOT a Surge Protector. It is a common misunderstanding that these cheap Power
strips can protect you from a bad power spike or brown out. These counterfeit
Power Surge protectors sell for $5.00 to $20.00. Never plug a Power strip into a
battery backup. Battery Backups are not designed to handle that much amperage in
one socket.
Surge Protectors
A surge protector works by channeling the extra voltage into the outlet's
grounding wire, preventing it from flowing through the electronic devices while
at the same time allowing the normal voltage to continue along its path.
Electrical surges can damage computer equipment by burning its wires or
gradually over time wearing down the device’s internal components and even wipe
out any saved data. Surge protectors can also protect telephone and cable lines
as these also carry electric current.
It is a common misunderstanding that surge protectors will protect systems
from lightning, the most familiar source of power surges. Even the most
effective surge protectors can not protect equipment from the sudden increase in
electrical pressure of millions of volts that lightning can supply. The best way
to prevent damage during from lightning storm is to unplug devices that could be
irreparably damaged. Surge protectors more commonly protect equipment from
lower-voltage surges that occur frequently in modern electrical wiring. For
example, devices such as refrigerators and air conditioners require large
amounts of energy to switch motors and compressors on and off, creating surges
in power that disrupt the steady flow of voltage. Faulty wiring, downed power
lines and faulty equipment at the power source (utility company) can all cause
power surges as well.
Surge protectors are less expensive than Voltage regulators and but they do less
work. BTW: Never plug a Surge protector into a Battery backup or a voltage
regulator.
A good surge protector can cost you upwards of $45.00 for a six socket
protector, that can protect your phone cables too.
Line Conditioners or Voltage Regulators
Line conditioners, also known as voltage regulators automatically regulate
incoming voltage to keep equipment working through low voltage (brownouts) and
high voltage indefinitely without the assistance of battery power or auxiliary
generators. They provide safe, computer-grade power with built in surge
suppression and line noise filtering. They will protect you from millisecond
brownouts and power spikes, but not an extended loss of power. They are more
expensive than surge protectors but they do more work.
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