Jim,
Most computers will tolerate brownouts to 100vac, and the average surge
suppressor will protect from overvoltages above 200vac, but just to be on
the safe side, you should purchase UPSs(uninterruptible power supplies) for
any that contain critical data. A good UPS will allow a computer user to
close all their work/end their session so that data integrity will not be
compromised by a lack of clean power. Most systems operating within their
rated parameters will allow the user 10-15 minutes of battery usage before
the user is out of power! UPS range in price from approx $100 to thousands
of dollars. LIkely that the protection you need will not excede $100-400
depending on the current(wattage)draw of each system. To buy the proper
ups, check the computer manufacturers literature and then buy a UPS rated
for a 30% higher load. One note of caution-NEVER plug a laser printer into
a UPS. The average Laser printer can do irreparable damage to most UPSs.
Some Brands of UPS are- APC, Best Power, Minute Man, Trippe, and others.
I haven't found a bad one in all the brands I've used. Here in NJ we are
subjected to "Rolling Blackouts" with no notice from the power co's.
Believe me, it is better to spend the money on a UPS that to have to
'rebuild' lost data. A recent edition of Information Week costed out
recovery from network catastrophes like(power failures, etc.,) at close to
$90,000 per hour for a small company of 50 employees.
Brian R. Humphrey
bhumphry@hooked.net
"From South Brunswick to San Francisco and back again in 45 seconds!!!"