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Surge Protectors

5 minutes 5 Questions

Surge protectors are devices designed to safeguard electronic equipment from power surges or voltage spikes that can result from lightning strikes, power outages, or other disruptions to the electrical supply. Power surges can cause significant damage to sensitive electronic components and may lead to data loss or hardware failure. Surge protectors work by redirecting excess voltage to the ground, preventing it from reaching the connected devices. They are essential in power and environmental management to ensure the longevity and proper functioning of electronic equipment. Surge protectors are available in various forms such as power strips, standalone devices, or integrated components within uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units.

Full Guide: Surge Protectors

Surge protectors are a fundamental tool for protecting your electronic devices from sudden spikes in voltage that can cause serious damage.
Importance: Surge protectors are essential in protecting your electronic equipment against power surges, spikes, and voltage fluctuations, which can lead to hardware damage or data loss.
What it is: A surge protector is a device that shields computer and other electronic devices from surges in electrical power, or transient voltage, that flow from the power supply.
How it works: Surge protectors work by channeling the extra voltage into the electrical outlet's grounding wire, thus preventing it from reaching the connected devices. When the voltage reaches a certain level, the surge protector blocks or shorts to ground any unwanted voltages above a safe threshold.
Exam Tips: When preparing for questions on surge protectors in an exam, remember the function and benefits of a surge protector and how it operates. Know that they protect against electrical surges and can prevent damage to your devices. Understand that not all surge protectors are equal — some offer more protection and features than others. Ensure you know the difference between a surge protector and a power strip — not all power strips offer surge protection. Answering Questions on Surge Protectors: In most cases, questions about surge protectors will revolve around their operation, the level of protection they offer, and their importance in a computing environment. Always relate your answer to the presence of high voltage, electronic safety, and data protection.

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Question 1

A graphic designer's high-end workstation is suddenly shutting down during power fluctuations. What would be an appropriate solution to maintain protection and continuous functioning during these instances?

Correct Answer: Battery backup (UPS) with surge protection

A battery backup (UPS) with surge protection is the most appropriate solution to maintain protection and continuous functioning during power fluctuations. A UPS provides battery power to the workstation when the main power source is interrupted or unstable, allowing the designer to save their work and shut down the system safely. The built-in surge protection guards the sensitive electronic components from damage caused by voltage spikes. A stand-alone surge protector offers protection against power surges but does not provide battery backup during outages. A line conditioner regulates the voltage but lacks battery backup capabilities. A power distribution unit (PDU) distributes power to multiple devices but does not inherently offer battery backup or surge protection.

Question 2

A small office relies on a color laser printer for production of marketing materials. The office experiences occasional power surges. Which of the following surge protection devices is suitable for this scenario?

Correct Answer: Surge protector with a high joule rating

For a laser printer, a surge protector with a high joule rating is needed due to the high energy requirements of the printer. A high joule rating indicates the maximum energy that the surge protector can absorb before it fails.

Question 3

What is the primary function of a surge protector's Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)?

Correct Answer: To divert excess voltage away from connected devices

The primary function of a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) in a surge protector is to divert excess voltage away from connected devices. This is the correct answer because: MOVs are designed to protect electrical equipment from voltage spikes or surges. They work by changing their resistance in response to voltage changes. When the voltage exceeds a certain threshold, the MOV's resistance drops significantly, creating a low-resistance path that diverts the excess voltage away from the connected devices. This action helps prevent damage to sensitive electronic equipment by redirecting harmful voltage spikes to the ground, effectively 'clamping' the voltage to a safe level. The other answers are incorrect: Amplifying incoming voltage would be counterproductive and potentially harmful to connected devices. Regulating the frequency of electrical current is not the function of an MOV; this is typically handled by other components in the power grid. Storing excess energy for use during power outages is the function of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), not surge protectors or MOVs specifically.

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