Power Protection

- Power Strip = these do NOT have surge protection properties.

- Surge Protection Power Strip = protects your electronics from a spike in voltage power. For example, a lightning strike or power swell.

- Belkin Conceal Surge Protector = $50 US - Protects your electronics up to $100,000 with a Belkin Equipment Warranty.

- Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger = $25 US - Protects your electronics up to $75,000 with a Belkin Equipment Warranty.

- APC Power-Saving SurgeArrest = $35 US - Protects your electronics up to $50,000 with a APC Belkin Warranty.

- APC Back-UPS ES 750 VA = $100 US - Protects your electronics up to $75,000 with a APC Belkin Warranty.

- Uninterruptible Power Supply = or "UPS". A UPS switches to battery backup power when the power goes out. UPSers often come with software that can shut down your PC automatically if you're not there when the power fails. These can help with brownouts -- the voltage level will remain stable.

- VA = Volt Amperes. This measures the "apparent power" in an AC power circuit. Many UPSers also list a wattage rating. The relationship is a bit complex. For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volt-ampere. Remember, the higher the VA rating, the longer the runtime for your equipment.

- Surge = or "swell" occurs when the voltage rises to a higher level than normal. This can occur for several reasons, for example if you’re in a older structure the wiring could cause a surge in voltage that is traveling through the wiring to your electronics.

- Spike = is a very short but extreme over-voltage condition.

- Blackout = is a complete absence of power, especially when it lasts for a while.