power bar : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

The CurrCon Java Applet displays prices on this web page converted with today’s exchange rates into your local international currency, e.g. Euros, US dollars, Canadian dollars, British Pounds, Indian Rupees… CurrCon requires an up-to-date browser and Java version 1.5 or later, preferably 1.7.0_02. If you can’t see the prices in your local currency, Troubleshoot
power bar
A power bar is basically a heavy duty extension cord that lets you plug in 6 or 8 devices.

Sizing

Consider the following devices associated with your desktop computer that might need an AC (Alternating Current) connection:

AC adapters are often bulky and cover up more than one outlet.

Here are two ways to get large number of outlets:

  1. cascading, plug a power bar into another in a daisy chain.
  2. Have an electrician install a power strip at a convenient height along the wall. You can then snap on as many outlets as you want wherever you need them. This is surprisingly inexpensive.

Surge Protection

Power bars contain surge protectors in them. They protect your computer equipment from damage from a sudden spike overvoltage. They also prevent your computer from making errors or rebooting when a spike hits. I consider this protection absolutely mandatory. However, they can’t do a thing if for a sagging undervoltage. For that you need an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). You have to spend $40.00 CAD or more to get a surge protector that won’t be fried, (and hence useless) after the first few hits.

CMP homejump to top You can get the freshest copy of this page from: or possibly from your local J: drive (Java virtual drive/mindprod.com website mirror)
http://mindprod.com/bgloss/powerbar.html J:\mindprod\bgloss\powerbar.html
logofeedback Please email your feedback for publication, letters to the editor, errors, omissions, typos, formatting errors, ambiguities, unclear wording, broken/redirected link reports, suggestions to improve this page or comments to Roedy Green : feedback email If you want your message kept confidential, not considered for posting, please explicitly specify that.
mindprod.com IP:[65.110.21.43]
viewYour face IP:[38.107.179.214]
You are visitor number 6,104.