Surges and spikes are short-term voltage increases. They are typically caused by lightning strikes, power outages, short circuits or malfunctions caused by power utility companies. They cause data corruption, catastrophic and costly equipment damage and incremental damage that degrades equipment performance and shortens its useful lifespan.

Common causes of surges/spikes:

• Utility company load shifting
• Miswired electrical systems
• Lightning strikes

Problems caused by surges/spikes:

• System lockups
• Incremental or catastrophic equipment damage
• Lost productivity

Line noise refers to distortion on AC, telephone/DSL, network or coaxial lines caused by Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). Line noise is unavoidable and will appear on every signal at some point, though it is not always detrimental, or even noticeable. It causes incremental electronic circuit damage, data corruption, audio/video quality problems and confusion between system components. Line noise generated by electronic devices varies greatly and can be produced by energy disturbances from a variety of sources, both natural and man-made.

Common causes of line noise:

• Radio transmissions
• High voltage power lines
• Severe weather
• Fluorescent lights

Problems caused by line noise:

• System lockups
• Audio static
• Video "snow"
• Slow electronic degradation

A brownout is a voltage deficiency that occurs when the need for power exceeds power availability. Brownouts typically last for a few minutes, but can last up to several hours, as opposed to short-term fluctuations like surges or spikes. They are caused by the disruption of an electrical grid and may be imposed by utility companies when there is an overwhelming demand for power. Brownouts, more common than blackouts, cause equipment failures, incremental damage, decreased equipment stability and data loss.

Common causes of brownouts/undervoltages/sags:

• Inadequate utility service
• Heavy power draw in area/facility
• Poor electrical circuit design

Problems caused by brownouts/undervoltages/sags:

• Active data loss
• System lockups
• Lost productivity
• Slow electronic degradation

Swells are basically the opposite of a brownout: instead of a voltage deficiency, or sag, a swell is a voltage increase for a long duration (seconds to a minute), as opposed to a brief increase, like a surge/spike. A swell is caused when the power being provided outweighs the power accepted by connected equipment, resulting in an increase in voltage. Much like sags, deterioration may not be apparent until it's too late, resulting in lost data and damaged equipment.

Common causes of swells/overvoltages:

• Sudden/large load reductions
• Oversupply of power from utility source
• Fault on a 3-phase system

Problems caused by swells/overvoltages:

• Slow electronic degradation
• Flickering lights
• Overheating and stress on equipment

A blackout, or power outage, is a complete loss of utility power, whether short- or long-term. Blackouts cause reduced productivity, lost revenue, system crashes and data loss. Unplanned outages may occur as aging electrical grids and building circuits are overwhelmed by high demand. Blackouts are particularly dangerous at sites where safety or life support rely on power, such as hospitals, treatment centers and power plants.

Common causes of blackouts/power outages:

• Utility company failure
• Accidental AC line disconnection
• Tripped circuit breakers
• Severe weather

Problems caused by blackouts/power outages:

• Data loss
• System downtime
• Lost productivity
• Lost revenue