|
What is Data Line
Surge Protection and How Does It Work?
Data line surge protection devices are essentially high-speed,
self-resetting switches
designed to balance communication lines with chassis (earth) ground in the
event
lines become over-energized.
Without Data Line Surge Protection, What
Happens?
Surge events may damage or destroy modems, motherboards, serial ports,
parallel ports, network interface cards and any other LAN equipment in
their path.
Does The Damage Go Deeper?
In the wake of surge destruction, the lasting hurt for any enterprise is
equipment downtime, particularly point-of-sale locations and the loss
of business transactions, orders, income, and customer goodwill. In
many cases these are losses that are difficult, if not impossible, to
recover.
How Do Non-Power Data Lines Carry Surges?
Surges and any form of transient voltage must follow a "path." Data/telecom
lines, though not designed to convey power, are prone to electrical
occurrences
that do seek a path. Its well known that surge protection is vital when
connecting
electronic equipment to power sources. However, what is lesser known is that
even
when power line surge protection suppresses one path, other paths (like
data/telecom lines)
become vulnerable and inviting. In other words, power surge protection may
shut the "front door,"
but does nothing to guard against "back door" entry. There are several other
phenomena that find
data and telecommunication lines ever so inviting. Only specific data line
surge protection will provide
that security assurance.
Geographically, Where and When Do Surges
Occur?
Disturbances can happen anywhere. Historically, with its thunderstorm
activity, lightening, high winds and related atmospheric conditions,
the Southeastern US has been particularly prone. However, current nationwide
conditions (i.e. power grid episodes, rolling blackouts, etc.) do not limit
the scope of vulnerability.
Isnt Equipment Today Built To Withstand
Surges?
Actually, todays telecommunications, networking, electronics, etc.
applications are far more sensitive and thus more prone to damage. And with
the high cost of equipment (and the unrecoverable downtime costs) the need
for data line surge protection has never been greater. Thanks to Cylix, the
solutions have never been more readily available. |
