A.C. POWER FOR YOUR COMPUTER
( A "How To" set up for everything from basic to ultimate.)

The KEY:
RED = A MUST!!
BLUE = A SHOULD HAVE!
GREEN = NICE TO HAVE.

First, a discussion on SURGE PROTECTORS:
The "El Cheapo" surge protectors you can buy are WORTHLESS!! You should have surge protector(s) that have a CLAMPING voltage of NO MORE THAN 130 volts, and they should be 25 amp minimum. They should be the type with UL seal and an EQUIPMENT DAMAGE guarantee. ALL others are just door stops!!


Second, a discussion on your power outlet:
You should use a GROUNDED outlet, with NOTHING ELSE plugged into the outlet or house circuit .. if at all possible. If other items are on the circuit, try and move them to OTHER circuits within your residence .. even if it means running extension cords. AND keep the Radio Frequency generating equipment OFF of the circuit (R.F. equipment = microwave and ANYTHING with a MOTOR in it!!)

On GROUNDING (I can't emphasize the importance of this enough!!):
IF you must use a two prong adaptor (you can't change the outlet over to a 3 wire outlet because of rental restrictions, etc), check to see if the BOX is grounded .. a basic electrical book will show you how. IF the box IS NOT grounded, you will have to run a MINIMUM of a 12 gauge wire to the nearest cold water pipe and clamp one end of the wire to the pipe, then fasten the other end to a screw in the box.. supplies for this are available at your local hardware outlet. Then, and ONLY then, can you use a two prong adaptor. Make SURE you use the faceplate screw to LOCK in the adaptor, as this also GROUNDS it.

now
THE LAYOUT:
Surge Protector with telephone surge protection included (self explanitory).
Uninterupptable Power Supply (or UPS). This should be a BATTERY type, not the cheap capacitor type, which are also worthless.
Two Surge Protectors or One Surge Protector (for the CPU/Monitor/Printer(s) and an emergency light) and one standard power strip (for your transformers)
One small single outlet Surge Protector (this can be 15 amps) for JUST THE CPU. A redundancy factor .. for the "Just in Case" senario!!

This should make any type of disaster .. including a "brown out" totally incapable of damaging your expensive investment. (BTW, I have ALL shown)

soundgod