Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!decvax!decwrl!labrea!Shasta!hans From: hans@Shasta.STANFORD.EDU (Hans Mulder) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Surge Suppressors Message-ID: <1094@Shasta.STANFORD.EDU> Date: Tue, 6-Jan-87 21:14:06 EST Article-I.D.: Shasta.1094 Posted: Tue Jan 6 21:14:06 1987 Date-Received: Wed, 7-Jan-87 02:59:27 EST Organization: Stanford University Lines: 37 Keywords: Power Supplies, Surge Suppressors, AC Power, PG&E Recently I had a discussion at a local computer store about power surges and other uncleanliness on the wall(AC) power. They claimed that some of my problems with my harddisk (4 defects in 6 months) were due to dirty power and that I should immediately buy a surge suppressor. They basically claimed that the wall power is so bad that it can destroy power supplies (and other parts of a computer). I have serious doubts about their claim because of: 1. Bad power can effect a computer twofold: 1. it makes the computer crash, and/or corrupts data; 2. and/or it damages the computer. Although it is arguable that these two effects are not hierarchical, I find intuitively that if my Mac doesn't crash it is unlikely that it gets damaged. My Mac rarely crashes or corrupts data for no reason. 2. It is not only computers which have complicated sensitive power supplies. Does it mean that surge suppressors are needed for CD players, computerized stereo equipment, etc, etc? Because those power supplies need to be less reliable, aren't they more likely to be damaged? 3. If the store is right why don't hard disk manufacturers build-in filters, suppressors etc. I doubt that they can invalidate the waranty on the drive when it brakes because you don't have a surge supressor. Given the fact that my Mac rarely crashes because of unknown reason, do I need a surge supressor or not? If I need one what are the important facilities it should have? Are there ones which switch of the power in case of power dips (something I can see the use of)? All answers, and pointers (to articles) appreciated. Hans Mulder ARPA: hans@umunhum.stanford.edu UUCP: shasta!hans