Use of surge protectors and UPS systems in safeguarding data and equipment against fluctuations in power has been advocated in a study.

Overvoltage or sudden power fluctuations have the potential to seriously damage sensitive electronic devices such as computers and result in a short-circuit or even fire, leading to data loss, according to the study by APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in critical power and cooling services.

Citing the example of an electric bulb that has a wire filament, the study pointed out that only at a given voltage rate the filament will carry current large enough for it to glow and give off light and heat, but will melt if the power is too high.

The amount of current in a circuit depends on the voltage supplied and other similar electrical/electronic devices such as PCs or servers may stop working or even burst into flames in case of an overvoltage, the study added and recommended use of appliances such as a surge suppressor or UPS for protection.

“Power consumption especially during peak seasons such as the summer months goes up substantially due to heavy use of air-conditioners. This causes pressure on the power grids, leading to power cuts,” said Christian Bertrand, vice president – MEA, APC by Schneider Electric.

“Our products such as surge suppressors and UPS systems offer protection to electrical/electronic devices in the office and home-office environments. We strongly believe our products are effective in protecting data and expensive electrical devices and safeguard basic IT and infrastructure investments,” he added.

According to the research, the combined Middle East and Africa UPS market is estimated to touch $488.4 million by 2012 from $282 million in 2007, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6 per cent, significantly outpacing the worldwide average.

In a radical situation of utility power failure, an UPS facilitates constant electric power to equipment. Additionally, it provides battery backup during sudden power failures or unacceptable voltage drops that could lead to severe service disruptions, the study said. – TradeArabia News Service