Here’s What Can Happen to Your Laptop During a Power Surge

surge protector

We rely on our gadgets for virtually everything. With more than 3.74 billion worldwide internet users in 2017, we use our smartphones, computers, tablets, and other technological devices to stay in constant contact with others both near and far. In times when we are unable to use our gadgets — like in the event of an equipment failure, a poor internet connection, or battery drainage — we realize just how important our technology is to our ability to operate. If you allow your laptop to be negatively affected by a power surge, for example, you’ll certainly come to regret your failure to adequately prepare and to protect your device. Let’s take a closer look at what might occur if you don’t take steps to prevent the negative effects of power surges.

What Can Happen to Your Laptop During a Power Surge?

Surge protectors for computers and other devices are used to divert excessive electricity during spikes or surges. This will subsequently keep your devices from being harmed. But if you do not use a surge protector, here’s what can occur.

  • Your charger or battery might become damaged: In order to operate properly in the long term, your laptop computer needs to be able to have its battery recharged and be able to maintain a charge when not plugged in. Unfortunately, a power surge can render your charger and/or your battery fairly useless. Your battery may no longer take a charge, may require substantially more time to charge fully, or may exhaust its battery charge more quickly. These problems could be attributed to failures within the charger or within the battery itself. When you charge your phone or computer during a power surge, you’ll absolutely want to use a power strip surge protector to ensure you can continue using your gadgets in the aftermath.
  • Your laptop may not power up: During a power surge, it’s possible that your laptop’s motherboard could be hit by excess electricity. If enough electricity is directed to the motherboard, your laptop might fail to boot up at all. Basically, that means that the interior of your computer won’t work as intended. That will make it impossible to use your device or access any information stored therein. If you’ve failed to back up your computer or are in the middle of a task, you will likely lose your ability to open or complete documents and files until your computer undergoes a replacement (which may be incredibly costly).
  • Your hard drive might become sluggish: In addition to damage to your motherboard, it’s also possible that your hard drive could be harmed due to a power surge. In some cases, this could mean permanent loss of data, but it could also translate to other ongoing issues that make it difficult for you to use your device. For example, it could significantly slow down your system, cause your computer to take longer to power up or to open applications. You may be completely unable to open certain files. This can present a minor convenience or a major upheaval, depending on the circumstances.

How to Protect Your Laptop From the Effects of a Power Surge

If you don’t want to risk these outcomes, you’ll need to take steps to safeguard your laptop from harm. In the event of a surge or a spike, a surge protector can ensure that electricity is directed away from your devices and thereby ensure their inner workings are kept intact. It’s an incredibly simple and passive way to continuously make sure your technological investments aren’t ruined by a natural event. To learn more about these protective tools or about the other cables that can make your life a whole lot easier, please contact us today.

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