O ne of the disadvantages of living in West Central Florida and using hi-tech computer equipment is damage to your equipment by lightning. Central Florida is the lightning capital of America. Sources of the power surges could be household appliances like air conditioners, washing machines, clothes dryers, and refrigerators. One of the culprits in your home office could be your laser printer or even a fluorescent light. No matter the sources, power spikes can damage microprocessors inside computers, and other office equipment.
Power spikes can also lock up computer programs and make some of the software corrupted.
Power strips with surge protection typically contain four to seven electrical outlets. Simply plug your computers, peripherals, and other equipment into the power strip. Then plug the power strip into a conventional electrical outlet. Once you do that your equipment is protected. Some of the newer strip surge protectors feature additional outlets for plugging in telephone jacks and cable TV connections.