A cornerstone of a successful business is the ability to acquire and maintain enterprise, employee, and client data; data loss can significantly impact business growth and performance. One of the leading causes of data loss is a power outage or a power surge, and 94 percent of companies that experience severe data loss never recover. This month is Electrical Safety Month, and HOBI has gathered some tips for protecting important data with proper IT asset management.
Power surges are caused by electrical overloads, such as faulty wiring, lightning strikes, or power restoration after an outage or blackout. Electronics cannot handle too much power at once, or it will damage the device and, in extreme cases, result in battery fires that require unique materials to extinguish. Large amounts of data are now being stored digitally in data centers, and preventing damage is critical in keeping enterprise data safe.
Electrical damage causes many issues, but there are several ways to prevent a power surge from happening and tips to avoid damage should a surge occur.
- Faulty wiring can cause electrical damage if poorly managed. This can be prevented by having an electrician inspect the home or office wiring for issues, especially in older buildings.
- The easiest method of device protection during power surges is to unplug devices. It is safest to unplug electronic devices during storms at home or in the office to prevent them from being affected if lightning strikes.
- Surge protectors are another standard method of protection against power surges. Using surge protectors like power strips and surge protector outlets helps block excess voltage from reaching electronics during a power surge.
- A more expensive method of electrical protection is to install a whole-home surge processor, which is installed at the primary breaker box between an electrical system and the grid. The surge processor is a power strip for a building’s electrical system.
- High-efficiency AC units are energy-efficient and draw less power, making them less likely to cause a power surge. This reduces the risk of voltage spikes and can save consumers money on energy bills.
- It is always best to have fire extinguishers on hand in case a fire occurs and a disposition plan for any IT assets that may be damaged during a surge.
If electrical damage occurs, and there is no way to recover the device, consider partnering with an ITAD provider like HOBI for responsible IT asset management and disposition. ITAD facilities collect retired IT assets in any condition and ensure they are disposed of properly via electronics recycling. HOBI also provides repair and remarketing solutions for devices that can still be used, maximizing asset value. HOBI is R2v3, RIOS, and ISO-14001 certified, with more than 30 years of experience in the e-waste industry.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.