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CRACKLE! BOOM! Yup!
It’s that time of the year again. In the spring, we at SB Computing
stock up on surge protectors, power supplies and modems. Why? Because
you’re going to need ‘em! The second leading damage done to computers
is from lightning strikes and/or power outages.
In COMPUTER TIPS AND
TWEAKS #3, November of last year, we touched on surge protection
and power outages. Well… we’re back!
Did you know that a lightning strike, even miles
away, can damage your computer’s modem? It can. Residual or transient
voltage, traveling along the phone lines can enter your computer through
that phone line and fry the modem. Whether you get online through a simple
dialup, analog modem, a DSL (Digital Subscriber Link) or a cable modem,
your computer and modem is susceptible to transient voltages from a direct
or nearby lightning strike. While there isn’t much you can do about a
direct hit, other then duck for cover yourself, there is protection from
the transient voltages. Know what that is?
The good old SURGE PROTECTOR! Most folks think of
surge protectors as protection against AC voltage surges as in CT&T
#3. All quality brand surge protectors now come with protection
against power surges and transient voltage surges along phone and cable TV
lines. But be warned, this protection won’t work if you don’t use the
short phone or co-axial cord provided with the device. Most people only
use the AC protection provided by the device and forget about the phone.
Then we get the computer in. When we inform the customer that their modem
has been damaged by a lightning strike we hear, “But we had the computer
plugged onto a good surge protector.” Right! The computer was, but not
the phone or DSL modem.
Treat yourself and your computer. Purchase a high
quality surge protector. It’s well worth it. Especially when the
alternative is a $100 plus repair job. When considering your surge
protector, keep in mind that the higher the JOULE rating, the better the
device. You should look for a minimum of 1,000 joules. Also, the higher
the joule rating the more hits it’s likely to receive before it fails
for good. If the device doesn’t list the joule rating, stay
away from it. One more bit of FYI, if your surge protector is
over three years old. Just go ahead and replace it. It may have already
taken it’s share of hits and is getting close to failing. Expect to pay
around $40 to $45 for a good one. And don’t forget… plug in the modem
line.
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