The supply from a power point is not a steady flow of electricity. There
are numerous variations in supply, including sudden impulses, bursts, and dips. Some of
these variations can be highly destructive to sensitive equipment.
It makes good sense to turn off and unplug electronic equipment and
telephones during thunderstorms, but it is not enough. Many destructive inconsistencies in
the power network occur during normal conditions and without notice.
Here are a few power supply problems that could play havoc with your
data and hardware:
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SPIKES are massive voltage impulses that last for a split second, they are often caused
by lightning, but may occur as a result of static electricity or a large electrical
machine being used in your area.
What Spikes do:
Spikes can cause actual hardware damage. The high voltage is capable
of burning holes in the microchips of your computer. The effects may not be noticable
until later, perhaps days or weeks after the event. Spikes can also corrupt data on your
hard disk, cause keyboard errors and data processing problems.
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SURGES are higher than normal voltages that
last for some time. They are of lower amplitude than spikes, but just as damaging because
of their duration. Surges often happen when large electrical machinery is switched off.
What Surges do:
Because of the long duration of excessive voltage, surges can cause
severe hardware damage.
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SAGS are the opposite of surges. The voltage dips suddenly for a moment, usually
because large equipment on the power grid is turned on. This is like watching the water
flow from your ktchen tap when the washing machine starts. The flow weakens before
normalising.
What Sags can do:
The sudden drop in voltage may cause your computer to lock up. Disk
read errors and disk crashes are also commonly caused by sags.
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NOISE
is high frequency signals that travel along the power supply lines. Noise is caused by
radio transmission, lightning and computer power supplies.
What noise can do:
Processing errors, fuzzy data transmissions, and generally erratic
behaviour in your system.
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BROWN-OUTS
are long-term lower than normal voltages, lasting for minutes or even hours. This usually
happens when the power supply in your area is overtaxed.
What brown-outs can do:
Your disk drives and other components won't have the required power
to operate properly. This causes problems in the way your computer operates, and could
result in damage to your hard disk.
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BLACK-OUTS
are caused by complete disruption or disconnection of the power supply. This could be
caused by lightning, or shut down of a power station or your local sub-station. It could
also be caused by someone accidently tripping over a power plug, or blowing a fuse by
overloading a power circuit. Road accidents my disrupt power due to fallen power poles.
What black-outs can do:
A black out will cause your system to crash, and you will lose all
data. Furthermore, disk drives and other components may be damaged by a sudden power
failure.
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