ELECTRONICS : Components Can Be Spared Shock of Voltage Damage
Video enthusiasts pour much money and time into their equipment, yet valuable units are often left vulnerable to electrical damage. There are several products that can protect electronic components and even improve their performance.
One problem, under-voltage, occurs when there is a drop below the consistent 120 volts normally supplied by utility companies. This situation produces temporary losses that, although they typically last only a fraction of a second, may upset the workings of personal computers and videocassette recorders.
To minimize the damage caused by under-voltage, users can buy an uninterruptible power supply for about $200 to $400 that enables the equipment to keep running long enough to be shut down properly. A UPS can also prevent VCR timers from “blacking out,” ensuring that the system retains programmed information even during a prolonged power loss.
A far more dangerous problem, over-voltage, occurs when power flows into circuit boards faster than it can be dissipated. An over-voltage, also known as a surge or spike, can produce 6,500 volts, meaning that it has the potential to burn a system. Surge suppressors provide a safeguard by absorbing or rerouting excess electrical energy during overvoltages.
Other problems are known as radio frequency interference and electromagnetic interference. These cause audio buzzing and video distortion in the form of diagonal lines and static. RFI and EMI are most commonly produced by such sources as local radio stations, cellular phones and household appliances. Many surge suppressors include line conditioners that minimize or eliminate RFI and EMI noise.
Surge suppressors come in a variety of forms, with prices from $5 to more than $500. Prospective buyers should make sure the unit they choose has an Underwriters Laboratories 1449 listing, which means that the product meets minimum safety requirements for its intended use.
As for warranties, on some of the more expensive units these will cover not only the surge suppressor but also the equipment being protected by it. Special groundings or hookups may be necessary for the warranty to be valid, however.
For further protection, many insurance policies will cover electrical spike damage, and special riders and schedules are available for additional coverage.
