Power Surge Protection
PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER
AGAINST POWER SURGES IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
As a
customer with Internet/DSL your computer equipment is at risk of lightning
damage for two reasons. First, because it is microprocessor-based and
therefore very susceptible to high-power surges from the AC power side,
and second, high-power surges can also enter your computer on your
telephone line. For those reasons
we strenuously suggest that you employ some form of surge protection
device that protects your PC from AC surges and also protects against
power spikes on your telephone line.
If you are subscribed to the 18 month FireLine DSL contract, please note
that the contract DOES NOT warranty your computer, modem, or
other equipment against lightning strikes and other acts of God.
To
know which surge protection technology is best for your equipment, below
is a list of specifications that might make your purchase decision a
little easier.
RESPONSE TIME- The time
it takes a surge protection device to react to and begin to dissipate a
power surge (also called clamping). For digital equipment response time
should be no more than five nanoseconds.
VOLTAGE PROTECTION LEVEL-
The voltage level a surge protection device will allow through to your
equipment while it is dissipating a power surge. To protect digital
equipment the voltage protection level should be no more than 300 volts on
a 120-volt AC system.
POWER DISSIPATION- The
surge protection device's ability to expend the energy of a power surge.
A properly specified surge suppression system should provide high power
dissipation while still maintaining a low voltage protection level.
RELIABILITY: The
stability of a surge protection device. Make sure the surge protection
device provides the same voltage protection level regardless of the
magnitude of the surge.
WARRANTY: Make sure
that your chosen surge protection device offers enough coverage to
reimburse you for your equipment loses in the event the protection device
should fail.
