POWER OUTAGES CAN CAUSE HAVOC
by MICROTech Computers

When the power goes out numerous problems can result in regard to your computer. First, you can lose the data that has not been saved. Although, some programs can be set to periodically save your data in a temporary file so it can be restored after the power comes back on.

And, when data files are not saved properly and programs are not exited correctly, corrupted files are left on your hard drive and inside your operating system. When files are saved properly, they are recorded into a File Allocation Table (FAT) so the computer knows what programs they are related to and how to retrieve them. When we lose power data files and information can be left on your hard drive that is not in the FAT table, and the computer does not understand what to do with this information. These files are called corrupted files and eventually can cause your system to slow down or crash.

Even fluctuations in power (such as "brownouts"), can damage computers and other electronic devices. These fluctuations partially shut down your system, sometimes followed by excess power that will weaken or damage electronic components. For this reason, computer equipment should not be put on the same circuit as appliances that use a lot of power such as a garage door openers, air-conditioners or washers. These appliances can draw power away from your computer equipment, thereby causing an uneven power flow.

If the power goes out completely, it is recommended that you unplugged your computer equipment if it is not adequately protected (read the next paragraph about protecting your equipment). The boards inside your computer equipment are very sensitive, and if there should be a surge when the power returns, it can burn out the circuit boards inside your equipment.

The best protection you can have for power outages and brownouts is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A UPS is basically a battery that is being constantly charged up by being plugged into a wall outlet. Normally you plug your computer and monitor into the UPS (not your printer), and they run off the battery. If the power fluctuates or goes out your computer still has a steady, even power source to run, giving you ample time to close down without losing data. Because the UPS is in between the wall outlet and your computer it functions as a buffer and eliminates brownouts and surges, so it protects your equipment.

Simple surge protectors or strips are not as reliable in protecting your equipment as an UPS, and they do not provide you any backup power. Basically a surge protector is a device that has a fuse or circuit breaker, that burns out or pops before excess power gets to your equipment. However, the circuit board's inside computer equipment is more sensitive than most other electronic devices, and sometimes the system board in your computer equipment will burn out along with the fuse or the breaker popping.

UPS are highly recommended on all computers, and are a necessity on servers. UPS's have come down in price and you can get a small UPS for an individual computer for under $75.00. Larger UPS's are available for servers or heavier equipment, and some of them have power management software that will automatically shut down the equipment before the battery is depleted, and provide you historical information on the power fluctuations. We highly recommend Uninterruptible Power Supplies for your computer equipment; they are very inexpensive, when you factor in the "peace of mind" and protection they offer.