| |
| Overvoltage
generates: |
 |
Spikes: A spike occurs
when a short burst of electricity exceeds
100 percent of the normal voltage for
microseconds |
|
Surges:
A surge occurs when power exceeds 110
percent of the normal voltage for more
than a few seconds. |
| Undervoltage
generates: |
|
Brownouts: A brownout
or sag is a partial loss of power. It
occurs when the voltage drops below
110 volts for a few seconds due to sudden
increase in the usage. Brownouts can
cause frozen keyboards and unexpected
system crashes. This could result in
corrupt disks and data loss. Brownouts
also reduce the life and efficiency
of a computer. |
| |
|
Blackouts:
A blackout is a total loss of power.
Blackouts occur due to blown fuses,
transformers, and downed power lines.
A blackout does not lead to hardware
damage. Instead, it leads to data and
memory loss |
| |
| To guard the
computer against damages caused by irregular
power supply and voltage fluctuation,
the following devices can be used: |
|
Uninterruptible Power Supply
(UPS): A UPS controls the power
supply to the computer. It also provides
power backup in case of a power failure.
Components of a UPS include: |
| |
|
|
An inverter:
To convert DC supply to AC |
|
A battery:
To provide backup in case of power
failure |
|
Battery charger
or Rectifier: To charge the battery |
|
| |
There
are two types of UPS: |
| |
|
|
Standby:
Provides power backup during a
blackout |
|
Online: Provides
protection against surges, spikes,
and brownouts by conditioning
the power sent to the computer. |
|
|
Suppressors:
A suppressor provides voltage within
the specified range. It does not provide
power backup in case of a power failure.
It protects the computer from surges
and spikes. |
| |
|
