Technology Notebook

Power Protection Basics
You know that thing you have under your desk that you call a surge protector? Odds are, it's not going to protect you from much, should you fall victim to a significant power event. Many devices claiming to protect you are of such low quality that with even normal power events that occur every day, you could be putting your prized PC and peripherals at risk.
While the high quality devices will cost you a bit more, the extra green you dole out will be well worth the peace of mind they offer in addition to the protection. There are some basic terms that you should look for when shopping for such devices. Here are some of the key things to look for:
Clamping Voltage
This is essentially the breaking point at which protection will kick in. Many people consider 330VA the standard clamping voltage for most computing devices, and anything above 330VA and you're certainly leaving yourself vulnerable. Clamping voltages under 200VA are generally better, though they may take action more frequently than you'd prefer. Since computing equipment is more vulnerable to damage, it's likely worth having a low clamping voltage.
Clamping Speed
The speed at which a device reacts to a potential problem is crucial to providing adequate protection. If a unit reacts too slowly, your equipment can be damaged before preventive action can be taken. Though this often isn't published by equipment makers, 10 nanoseconds or less should serve as an a