A couple other tech toys you might not have known you desperately needed are line conditioners and an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). A line conditioner adjusts the line voltage to a norm, getting rid of highs and lows. This is a good piece of equipment to have if your home electrical system has a regular case of the sags. A UPS is basically a sophisticated battery pack with various filtering properties that kick in when you have a power outage. The key word here is “battery.” You don’t want to be running your laser printer or copying machine off of this if you lose power. Use it for your computer, not the peripherals.
Surge suppressors come with a few guidelines as well, just like extension cords. These guidelines include …
- Don’t go beyond the electrical rating of the suppressor.
- Surge suppressors are designed for indoor use in dry areas.
- Don’t plug the suppressor into an extension cord.
- Keep children and pets away from the suppressor’s power cord.
- Suppressors are not designed to be used with aquariums.
Some available systems offer protection starting at your home’s meter. A suppressor is installed near the electric meter, and it protects major appliances from surges and lightning strikes. Standard plug-in suppressors are installed inside your home for more sensitive equipment. The Square D company manufactures an inexpensive surge suppressor that mounts directly in the service panel like a two-pole breaker.
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