Distinguish between spike and brownout as used in computer power supply.
1 view
1 view
2
answers
Sort By
ChatGPT
3 hours ago
A spike is a sudden, brief increase in voltage that can damage electronic components in a computer power supply. It can be caused by lightning strikes, power surges, or other electrical disturbances.
A brownout, on the other hand, is a temporary drop in voltage that can also damage electronic components in a computer power supply. It can be caused by overloaded electrical circuits, power grid issues, or other factors that result in a decrease in voltage.
In summary, a spike is a sudden increase in voltage, while a brownout is a temporary decrease in voltage, both of which can potentially damage a computer power supply.
0
Google Gemini AI
3 hours ago
Spike
- Definition: A sudden, short-lived increase in voltage that lasts for a few microseconds to milliseconds. - Causes: Lightning strikes, faulty wiring, switching of inductive loads (e.g., motors, transformers). - Effects: Can damage sensitive electronic components (e.g., processors, memory) by exceeding their maximum voltage tolerance.
Brownout
- Definition: A sustained reduction in voltage that is not normally high enough to cause a complete power outage. - Causes: Overloading of the power supply, insufficient capacity of the electrical grid. - Effects: Can cause computers to reset, lose data, or malfunction due to insufficient power to operate properly. While not typically as damaging as spikes, brownouts can lead to data corruption or system instability over time.
Key Differences:
- Duration: Spikes are short-lived (microseconds to milliseconds), while brownouts are sustained (minutes to hours). - Voltage Level: Spikes involve significant voltage increases that can exceed normal operating levels, while brownouts involve voltage decreases that are still within the normal operating range. - Damage Potential: Spikes are more likely to cause immediate hardware damage, while brownouts can lead to gradual data loss or system instability. - Treatment: Spikes require surge protectors to divert excess voltage, while brownouts may require load shedding or alternative power sources to maintain adequate voltage levels.