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Safeguard Your Home Electronics
Home electronics are hot items these days, and they can get even hotter if they are unexpectedly hit with a power disturbance. Protect your investment and keep your TVs, stereos, computers and other home electronic devices safe with some smart planning.
Resist the surge
Power surges are spikes in the amount of electricity moving through the power lines into your home. They can be caused by anything from a lightning storm to an animal hitting a power line. Surges can send 5-10 times the normal amount of electricity into your home, doing serious damage to electrical systems — and to the devices attached to those systems. Your first line of defense in protecting your precious equipment is to plug the items into a surge protector.
Computers, printers, televisions and other devices have a better chance of surviving a surge if they are safeguarded by a surge suppressor or power strip. This simple device diverts excess electricity created by a power surge until the main line returns to normal. Not all surge protectors, however, are created equal. Be sure to get one with a clamping voltage of 330 or 400 volts, a response time of a few picoseconds, a minimum rating of 300-400 joules, and a good warranty. These details may sound complex, but they will offer the best protection for your home electronics.
The warranty is a key feature because even good surge protectors can fail. A lifetime warranty may offer replacements for damaged equipment. Top-notch surge protectors cost more, but are less expensive than a new computer.
Super secure
If you need extra computer protection, you can step up your surge stoppage by installing a line conditioner to protect your desktop device. This adds extra safety but will not protect your equipment during a power outage. For no-fail backup, invest in an Uninterruptible Power System that uses batteries to keep running; this can protect your system even when the main power supply is out. A UPS also provides backup power for 10-15 minutes, which may allow you to save files or turn your system off properly.
When you spend a lot of money on home electronics, it’s wise to invest in protecting them. If you aren’t sure about how much safeguarding you need, stop by your local electronics store — or you might ask your favorite techno-geek for his or her take on how to keep your electronic stuff safe.
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Do you plan to move yourself or hire a moving company to assist you?
- Move myself by renting a truck (63%, 15 Votes)
- Move myself without renting a truck (21%, 5 Votes)
- Hire a moving company to help (16%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 24
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