Battery backups protect computer during power outages
As a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, Capital Electric |
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Capital Electric member Lorraine Bourgois says she and her husband, Roger, have “his and hers” computers. Lorraine uses her computer to check e-mail, surf the Web and play with her state-of-the-art camera. Roger uses his to keep farming records. |
strives to provide affordable and reliable electric service to our member-owners. We maintain our lines, invest in modern technology and employ hard-working, knowledgeable people. But we can’t control Mother Nature – so it is with absolutely certainty that we say power outages will occasionally occur.
Outages happen for many reasons, says Larry Wittmayer, system supervisor at Capital Electric. High wind speeds and icy conditions cause the lines to gallop and cross. People forget to call before they dig, and disturb functioning equipment. Weak tree branches break lines, farm machinery snags lines and fire destroys poles.
While outages do not happen frequently, our cooperative understands how this inconvenience might be frustrating. Lorraine Bourgois, a Capital Electric and BEK Communications Cooperative member who lives northwest of Bismarck, became discouraged when an unexpected series of power “bumps” eventually burned out one of her family’s three computers.
“What I learned was that even though we had a surge protector, it was not the answer,” she says.
“They’ll only take so many bumps before they stop working.”
After the burnout, she called the “Geek Squad™” at Best Buy in Bismarck for help. They suggested she purchase an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery backup, which can prevent computer users from losing data and damaging their computers during a power outage.
Lorraine purchased a 1500VA UPS/Battery Back-Up System that lights up and sounds an alarm in the event of power failure. So when a squirrel wandered into a substation and caused a power outage, her backup battery took over. Lorraine worked briefly off her battery before powering down.
Jordan, an associate in customer service at Best Buy, says a standard battery can power a computer for about an hour.
“One major advantage is that by having a battery back-up, it gives people valuable time to save their work and to shut down properly,” he says.
Best Buy sells several different types of batteries ranging in price from $41 to $200, depending on the length of the battery’s life.
“It’s certainly a lot cheaper than blowing a computer,” says Lorraine.
While the staff at Capital Electric Cooperative can’t stop the wind from gusting or prevent a squirrel from touring a dangerous substation, we can take preventative measures to keep our members, families and possessions safe.
For more information on the Best Buy “geek squad” call 1-800- 433-5778 (1-800-gee-ksqu) or visit http://www.geeksquad.com.