More and more, Australia’s economy is moving into the digital sphere, with companies heavily reliant on both the internet and computer networking to undertake day-to-day operations.
Power supply is an essential part of computer networking—the quality of your power supply dictates how quickly your network can get online and then stay online, how often your business is likely to be affected by power shortages, how much it costs to run your network, and how safe your network might be.
Follow these tips to ensure you take proper considerations into account when arming yourself with electrics for your computer network.
Plan For The Future—Not Just For Now
Regardless of what stage in which you find your business, chances are you are planning on making it grow. There are not too many companies that remain static for long. So, you need to give your business an electrical network that can power your computer systems even if they expand. It is often cheaper to install an electrical network that is larger than what you might need initially. This is particularly true when compared to patching or replacing your system later.
Never Overload Your Network
Part of the reason that planning your power supply is so important is that overloading it can create serious problems. Even a small network can draw considerable power, and if you don’t have sufficient electrical configurations, you will suffer frequent power failures.
Power failures are an enormous drain on time and money and can even affect customer loyalty if they occur frequently enough. You can gauge your power needs by checking your circuit capacities and matching them with the information provided on the back of your computers. Your PC power supply specification will be included on the back of the unit.
Of course, the best way to check that your circuits can cope with the load your computer network will place on them is to contact an electrician.
Invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is your greatest protection against any computer crashes due to power shortages. If your network is suddenly switched off, you risk losing critical data. Imagine losing all your financial records, such as your invoices and sales receipts in one hit. A UPS will provide enough power to keep your network running until the primary power supply can be switched back on, which will give you time to save everything.
Surge Protection
Dips or loss of power aren’t the only danger to your network. Power surges as a result of electricity supplies can destroy all of your equipment by essentially electrocuting it. When discussing your electrical circuits, you should make the installation of surge protection a priority. Replacing fried circuits and equipment will be extremely expensive, so the extra cost of surge protection will be one of the best investments you have ever made.
Efficiency
An efficient power network is essential for your hip pocket. Of course, it’s also a lot better for the environment, but the less power you use to run your computer networking, the less your operating costs will be. On top of using energy-efficient equipment, you should also train staff on how to save on energy.
Leaving computers on standby means they will drain energy all night, so encourage everyone to turn off their computers and even unplug them from the wall.
Make Your Network Safe
A computer network requires a lot of cords and wires. You need to keep your workspace safe. You can do this by ensuring all wires are all contained and not allowed to run across the floor. When your technician comes to set up your network, make sure they secure all cords. The cords should all run along the walls.
You also need to use common sense. Ensure that wiring isn’t kept in a space that is prone to getting wet. It’s tempting to overload power points and power boards instead of paying to have new ones installed. But this is an incredibly unsafe practice – not only for your staff but your network too.
Create A Compliant Network
Like all electrical apparatus, your network must meet all relevant standards. A licensed, professional electrician will be aware of these standards. This is why it’s essential that you enlist the help of a licensed and accredited technician to oversee your computer networking installation.
Don’t Set and Forget
As a business owner, you’re liable for the safety of your workplace. A computer network can quickly become a liability if it isn’t maintained correctly. You need to engage the services of an accredited test and tag provider to ensure that your equipment is running safely and efficiently.
A good computer networking system will take your company to new heights, by allowing to interact with your marketplace 24/7. If you take these electrical considerations into account, you’ll be backed by a computer power supply that will keep you online when you need it most.