Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Video Ask Ars: Why should I get a battery backup, and how do I pick one?

In 1998, Ask Ars was an early feature of the newly launched Ars Technica. Now, as then, it's all about your questions and our community's answers. Each week, we'll dig into our question bag, provide our own take, then tap the wisdom of our readers. To submit your own question, see our helpful tips page.

The recent severe weather in the US has got me thinking about going above and beyond surge protectors to protect my computer. I'm thinking about getting a battery backup, but I don't know what I need to look for in an uninterruptible power supply.

If you are looking to protect your electronics—particularly your computer—from the bigger power anomalies in life, the run-of-the-mill surge protector just won't cut it. Surge protectors cover only one of the two common types of damaging power conditions, while an uninterruptible power supply can cover both.

Surge protectors are meant for over-voltage scenarios, when there's suddenly a surplus of power from a lightning strike or surge from your electric grid. Without at least a surge protector, surges and spikes can cause damage to your hardware; your computer or monitor might not die outright, but a sudden jump in voltage can be like a punch in the kidney.

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Ciara

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