There is nothing more frustrating than experiencing a sudden power outage when you’re in the middle of working on your computer. The chances are that what you’re working on will be compromised. But what’s even more alarming is how you have failed to shut down your PC properly due to the unexpected power outage. Not only will this leave your documents unsaved and apps unclosed, but it will also cause significant damages to your computer.
To avoid the potential risk of damages, here’s our guide on how to protect your PC from power outages:
Power outage and other electrical issues
It’s worth knowing that the flow of electricity at home is never constant, as there is always an ebb and flow of electrical currents. The problem starts when there’s too much or too little power, which can lead to the following:
- Blackout: The most alarming problem to face is a blackout, which is a serious power issue. This may be caused by disruptions on the power station, damages to the electrical lines, and other things beyond your control.
- Brownout: Another power issue is a brownout, which happens when the electrical voltage temporarily drops but isn’t fully blacking out. This may be done deliberately to reduce electrical loads and prevent blackouts or caused by other factors.
- Power surge and spike: This power issue occurs when an appliance receives more electrical currents than what it is intended to have for at least three nanoseconds. If it’s only one or two nanoseconds, it’s called a power spike, typically caused by lightning.
How power outages can damage your PC
Keep in mind that a computer has a complex operating system. For this reason, it must go through a series of shutdown steps to ensure that all running processes are properly terminated. If there’s a sudden computer shut down due to a power outage, this can be detrimental to your computer’s health. As a result, your PC hardware, as well as your data stored in the software, will be negatively impacted.
How to protect your PC from power outages and surges
If you want to protect your PC from power failure, here’s what you can do:
- Invest in a UPS: This offers you an interrupted power supply. As it provides you with an additional five to sixty minutes of power, it will allow you to save your work and turn off your computer safely and properly.
- Use a surge protector: Also known as a surge suppressor, this device creates a line of defense for your PC against high voltage electrical spikes or power surges.
- Back up your files: You typically have the option to subscribe to a cloud-based platform or purchase a drive that you can auto-schedule regular back-ups. In case of a power outage, you won’t lose your data at all.
Conclusion
At this point, you now know more about power outages and surges and how to protect your PC from them. To that end, be sure to consider all the valuable information discussed above—from the causes of power outages to how they can damage your PC. Most importantly, be sure to follow the steps in protecting your PC from the impact of power outages or surges. If you start noticing some computer issues, get in touch with a highly reliable computer professional to have it inspected and repaired if necessary!
We’re your one-stop computer shop offering superior digital marketing and IT support services to our clients. We provide PC and web solutions such as computer repair, networking and WIFI, website design, and data recovery services. If you are looking for ways to protect our PC from power outages or now need computer repair in Greenwood, Indianapolis, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
