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Introduction
Part of being cyber smart is
being responsible for your computer equipment. Having the
right surge protector is a simple, inexpensive and an essential
element of being cyber smart.
You should always use a surge protector with your computer.
Even if you don't want to. Even if you're too busy
to go buy a good one. Even if you don't live in areas that
get much lightning.
Why take a chance?
Surge protectors act as a shock absorber, or fuse, between your
computer and the outside world of electricity. Surge
protectors dissipate the extra voltage that can be generated
during power surges before it can be passed along and damage
your computer.
What your surge protector should
have...
1. A response time under 10 Nanoseconds. The faster the
better.
2. A failure light so you know if it got hit. (See below for why
this matters.)
3. 200-400, or higher, joules rating. The larger the
number, the better. This is an indicator of how resistant
your surge protector is likely to being fried by a surge, not
how readily your computer will get fried by a surge.
4. UL 1449 Compliance Standard. This guarantees that the
surge protector meets the Underwriters Laboratory specifications
5. 400 volts or less of clamping voltage. The lower the
clamping voltage, the better the protection.
6. 3-way wire protection (not just 2-way). It's important
that the ground wire is also protected.
7. A phone jack for your modem line. This, because
electricity can surge through your phone line, note just your
power line.
Remember
--Surge protectors cannot protect your computer from a direct
hit lightning hit. Best to unplug (not just turn off) your
computer before/during a lightning storm and when you are away
on vacation/trip.
--Be sure to plug into the surge protector the power cords from
ALL of your computer equipment, including the monitor, CPU,
accessories, remote drives, printers, modem lines, etc.
--Protect your laptop as well, especially on trips.
--Unless you have a surge protector with a gas-discharge
capacitor, you should replace your surge protector after a major
surge because it will get 'used up' a bit every time there is a
surge.
Was something not clear?
Was there a typo or other error?
While we
aren't able to provide 1-1 tech support, please
email confusion-questions-corrections-improvements to reply@coachbrian.com. Again,
we won't reply to your email but it will be read
and this course will be improved as a direct result of your
assistance.
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A
coach is someone who tells you what you don't want to hear,