Difference Between A Power Tap And A Surge Protector
What is the difference between a power tap and a surge protector?
The electronic equipment found in most businesses is sensitive to lightning and faulty power, which can destroy expensive computer systems and network equipment. Anything with microcircuits is at risk, including security systems and printers. To protect against a power surge, it is necessary to stop the surge from getting to the equipment. This can be accomplished by installing a surge protector/suppressor at points of use that protect each device or appliance at its outlet.A power tap, in laymen's terms, is just a hub that shares a power source. A power tap offers no protection against surges caused by lightning or faulty power.
I will share a personal experience with you involving these fine little $8 surge protectors that I purchased at a local Home Depot.
I owned an operated a consulting business as mentioned before in another blog. My storefront was a little cyber cafe where I rented out about 9 computer systems used for gaming and internet access. One lovely day, someone crashed their vehicle into a transformer on the side of the road that knocked out power for blocks.
After about an hour or two, they were able to restore power to the neighborhood. When the power actually kicked back on, however, it sent a surge through the neighborhood "frying" anything and everything that was plugged into an outlet. Luckily, I had all of my equipment on surge protectors. 12 surge protectors to be exact. Every single surge protector was blown and burnt. However, I did not have one piece of equipment damaged. I took all of my surge protectors back to Home Depot and they happily replaced them with new ones at no charge because I only had them for about 6 months.
Over the next 2 weeks, I had many, many computers come into my shop that needed new power supplies, new motherboards, new processors, and some that needed all 3. I heard many people talk about how their televisions and video equipment was damaged as well and how they thought they had surge protectors but they ended up just being power taps.
So, take the time to look at what you are plugging your equipment into. It could save you a lot of money and just give you a piece of mind knowing that your equipment is protected.
This $8 piece of equipment could save you hundreds or more.
Posted by James Triplett at 7/28/2009 9:12 AM 
Categories: Information Technology
Tags: information technology surge protector blog karma power tap james triplett oneofkarma IT one of karma
Categories: Information Technology
Tags: information technology surge protector blog karma power tap james triplett oneofkarma IT one of karma
Very helpful.
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Thank you. I will try to put some more useful information out there. Please come back and visit anytime.
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