Storms become more frequent during seasonal changes, and knowing how to protect IT assets during severe weather is critical. In a primarily digital era, electrical damage can result in data loss and equipment damage that can be costly to repair or replace. Proper IT asset management (ITAM) will help prevent asset damage during storms and save budget funds.
Power surges are typically 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, cause battery fires that can take days or even weeks to extinguish fully. Large amounts of data are now being stored digitally in data centers, and preventing damage is critical in keeping enterprise data safe.
Risk Prevention with ITAM
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 protector, which is installed at the primary breaker box between the electrical system and the grid. The surge protector 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.
Another way to prevent damage to IT assets is by eliminating excess electronics. Rapidly evolving technology has resulted in high turnaround rates for office IT equipment, and many companies have excess assets piling up in storage closets or empty office space. Any surrounding electronics containing lithium-ion batteries will act as kindling if an electrical fire occurs. IT asset disposition (ITAD) providers also offer IT asset management services and end-of-use services for retired IT assets.
ITAD facilities ensure IT assets are responsibly disposed of via electronics recycling, no matter the damage. HOBI’s trained professionals are skilled at battery removal, and we offer repair and remarketing solutions for devices that can still be used, maximizing asset value.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.