Preface
13
QBOX Mini-1000 Series User’s Manual
failure of chips or mechanical failure of devices.
If the system has been exposed to abnormally cold temperatures, allow a
two-hour warm-up period to bring it up to normal operating temperature before
turning it on. Failure to do so may cause damage to internal components,
particularly the hard disk drive.
Humidity
High-humidity can cause moisture to enter and accumulate in the system. This
moisture can cause corrosion of internal components and degrade such
properties as electrical resistance and thermal conductivity. Extreme moisture
buildup inside the system can result in electrical shorts, which can cause
serious damage to the system.
Buildings in which climate is controlled usually maintain an acceptable level of
humidity for system equipment. However, if a system is located in an unusually
humid location, a dehumidifier can be used to maintain the humidity within an
acceptable range. Refer to the “Specifications” section of this user’s guide for
the operating and storage humidity specifications.
Power Protection
The greatest threats to a system’s supply of power are power loss, power spikes,
and power surges caused by electrical storms, which interrupt system operation
and/or damage system components. To protect your system, always properly
ground power cables and one of the following devices.
Surge Protector
Surge protectors are available in a variety of types and usually provide a level
of protection proportional with the cost of the device. Surge protectors prevent
voltage spikes from entering a system through the AC power cord. Surge
protectors, however, do not offer protection against brownouts, which occur
when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal AC line voltage
level.
Line Conditioner
Line conditioners go beyond the over voltage protection of surge protectors.
Line conditioners keep a system’s AC power source voltage at a fairly constant
level and, therefore, can handle brownouts. Because of this added protection,
line conditioners cost more than surge protectors. However, line conditioners
cannot protect against a complete loss of power.