Tech View John Agsalud

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How to protect your computer from power problems

In the category of "Information We Could've Used Three Weeks Ago," this column deals with protecting your computer hardware with surge protectors.

Many folks suffered damage to their computers and other electronics during the recent earthquake and subsequent power outage. Most took some precautions that they thought would prevent against some of these problems. Sadly, many turned out to be mistaken.

By now, most folks know to put something in between their sensitive electronics and the wall outlet. Typically, people use the cheapest power strip they can find. Sometimes, especially in businesses, we see power strips re-used over and over again. Do you need the $100 model or will the $10 model suffice? Besides price, what factors should you take into account when shopping for surge protectors?

First, we highly recommend something that has been rated by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). We all know what the UL symbol looks like, so if your unit doesn't have it, that's not a good sign. While there has been some chatter lately about counterfeit UL seals, as long as you're not buying your surge protector on Kuhio Avenue at 3 in the morning, you shouldn't need to worry.

Near the UL seal, the device should also be described as a "transient voltage surge suppressor" that meets the criteria of "UL 1449." However, for reasons we can't fathom, manufacturers often abbreviate these very important terms or use cryptic codes to indicate compliance with UL.

Our best recommendation is to look for the UL seal, and find the "transient suppression voltage" rating on the device. The lower the rating, the better the unit. Anything less than 400 volts should be fine for your computer and peripherals.

Look for units that have an indicator light. Many folks believe that the light is just for show, or to indicate that the power is on. In fact, if the manufacturer has gone to the expense of including a light, it usually indicates whether the unit is still good. After repeated surges, many units lose their protection capabilities, but are still capable of conducting power. If the light used to work and now it doesn't, or even if it's blinking, replace the strip!

Some devices are also equipped with old-fashioned protection, namely, a fuse. If the unit takes a surge, the fuse simply burns out. Some units have replaceable fuses, some don't, and those that don't are useless once the fuse is burnt. For the more simple minded of us, a fuse-based strip often provides the greatest level of comfort.

More expensive units provide for surge protection from phone lines and cables. While it is theoretically possible that your computer could be damaged by a surge through a phone line or cable, this is a very remote occurrence, especially in Hawaii. You might be more concerned about this on the mainland or other areas where ground lightning strikes are more prevalent.

Of course, regardless of the type of surge suppressor you're using, it's always a good idea to unplug everything from the wall whenever the power goes out. Unless the laws of physics happen to change, a disconnected plug is always the most effective surge protector.

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