Electricity has made life easy for us. You plug in the light and it goes on; you unplug the light and it goes off. It's easy to assume that power remains relatively constant, but that's not always true, and computers are very sensitive to subtle changes in the power level. No matter where you live, the electricity entering your home fluctuates, and these "surges" can damage your computer and destroy data. 

There are three basic ways to fight power problems: Install a generator, add a surge protector and/or buy an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). 

Generator

A generator does not protect your computer or data; but it can give you power to keep working if the power is out for an extended period. Note, however, that electricity from a generator can also fluctuate, and it's generally advisable not to run a computer off a generator if not necessary. 

Surge protector

A surge protector looks a bit like an extension cord with multiple outlets and acts like a bodyguard for your computer. Plugging your computer and other tech equipment into the surge protector shields it from most electricity fluctuations from the local power company. 

However, a surge protector cannot stop a massive increase in power caused by a nearby lightning strike. In fact, nothing stops a power spike caused by lightning except removing your computer from the direct line of fire; and you do that in a decidedly low-tech way -- by unplugging it. The goal is to break all connections between your computer and wires that can carry electricity, so anyone using a dial-up Internet service or a cable connection should also disconnect the modems since the power can surge through telephone lines and cable television wires. 

UPS

Even a simple power outage can wipe out all data you've entered since the last time you saved your work. Generally, a document is not "saved" until you physically push the keys that tell a computer to save it, though some software does allow you to automatically save your work at preset time spans. If you save your work often, you will lose only a little work. If you don't save until you're finished, you could lose a lot. Tech Helpline analysts recommend saving work often even if your software has an automatic save option. 

A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is often used by larger network servers, though small UPS systems work well for one-computer operations. The UPS runs on a battery and kicks on when it senses a loss of electricity. The limited power of the UPS gives you time to save your work, close programs and safely shut down your computer. UPS-compatible software will close your work automatically following a loss of power; and many smaller systems include the software with a UPS purchase. 

For many users, the $100-plus cost of a small UPS system pales in comparison to the cost of lost work following an unexpected power outage. 

Want more info on buying a UPS? Look for a description in this issue's copy of Cool Tools.