‘Clean Power’ in the Home Office

By Jeff Zbar 
www.chiefhomeofficer.com

Power is an interesting thing. Measured in joules, it can be like a diamond, providing clean and pure energy that enhances device operations and even prolongs its life. Or it can be like a cubic zirconia — “dirty” and unreliable and just bad for the components. But more importantly, it has value — especially to the penny-pinching home office. In the home office, you want clean, steady power — and protection from surges and spikes that can trash your PC or components as thoroughly as if your kid hit them with a hammer. But you also want to scrimp and save and keep power from seeping out like so many dollars under the office door.

Enter the APC Power-Saving Surge Protector “Essential Series.” With the flip of a switch, you can cut power to key components — saving money and improving component lifespan.

The PSSP’s “Master/Controlled Outlets” save energy by automatically cutting power to idle equipment. This saves power, but also helps lengthen device life. The folks at APC calculate the power savings at around $25 a year.

And it’s functional. With a six-foot extension cord and seven outlets, it can protect most components in the average home office. A “Protection Working” indicator light shows whether the device is functioning properly, or if its circuitry has been compromised. The “Building Wiring Fault” indicator warns of potentially dangerous wiring conditions. And it includes phone jacks for surge protection over phone/DSL lines.

The Price: $32. Not bad for an insurance policy for the home office’s vital hardware. Trust me, I just priced a new life insurance policy for my wife and me, and drivers insurance for our 16-year-old daughter. I wish I could get away with insurance at less than $35.

Since the '80s, Jeff Zbar has been a writer, speaker and spokesman on all facets of working from home and entrepreneurship. His columns and blogs have appeared via Entrepreneur, Success Magazine, Home Office Computing and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and he has been a small business expert on national television and radio. Learn more at www.chiefhomeofficer.com.