Overheating
Overheating happens when a computer or part becomes hotter than it should be. This can cause shutdowns, slowdowns, errors, or permanent damage. Overheating may be caused by dust, poor airflow, high room temperatures, failed fans, blocked vents, or an under-sized cooling design.
Power Supply
A power supply provides the correct electrical power to a computer or device. It changes incoming power into the type and level the parts inside the system need. A reliable power supply is important because unstable power can cause shutdowns, errors, or damage.
Fanless Cooling
Fanless cooling removes heat without using a fan. It often uses heat sinks, metal enclosures, thermal pads, or fins to move heat away from the components. Fanless systems are useful in dusty, mobile, or rugged environments because they have fewer moving parts and do not pull as much outside air into the computer.
AC Power
AC power is the type of electrical power commonly supplied by wall outlets. AC stands for alternating current, which means the electrical current changes direction repeatedly. Many computers use AC power as the input before the power supply changes it into power the internal parts can use.
Redundant Power
Redundant power means a system has more than one power supply or power path. If one power source fails, the backup can help keep the system running. This is often used in servers, network equipment, and other systems where downtime can be costly.
DC Power
DC power is the type of electrical power commonly used inside computers and many electronic devices. DC stands for direct current, which means the electrical current flows in one direction. Vehicles, batteries, industrial systems, and computer components often use DC power.
Voltage
Voltage is a measure of electrical force in a power system. It helps describe how strongly electricity is being pushed through a circuit. Using the correct voltage is important because too little power may stop a device from working and too much can damage it.
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
Amp
An amp is a unit used to measure electrical current. It describes how much electricity is flowing through a circuit. In computer systems, amperage matters when selecting power supplies, cables, fuses, and other electrical parts.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Power over Ethernet, or PoE, is a way to send both data and electrical power through the same Ethernet cable. It is often used for cameras, access points, sensors, and other network devices. PoE can reduce the need for separate power wiring in certain installations.
Battery Backup
A battery backup is a power source that helps equipment keep running for a short time when main power is lost. It can give users time to shut down safely or keep important systems online during brief outages. Battery backup is often used with computers, servers, networking equipment, and control systems.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
An uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, is a device that provides temporary power when the main power fails or becomes unstable. It often includes a battery and surge protection. A UPS can help prevent sudden shutdowns, data loss, and equipment problems during short power events.
Surge Protection
Surge protection helps protect electronics from sudden spikes in electrical power. Power spikes can happen from storms, equipment switching, wiring issues, or utility problems. Surge protection is commonly used to reduce the risk of damage to computers, servers, and network equipment.
Cooling Fan
A cooling fan moves air through or around a computer to help remove heat. Fans are common in standard computers because they are effective and inexpensive. In dusty, wet, or harsh environments, fanless designs may be preferred because fans can pull outside air into the system.
Heat Sink
A heat sink is a metal part designed to pull heat away from a computer component. It often has fins or a shaped surface that helps spread heat into the surrounding air or enclosure. Heat sinks are commonly used on processors, chipsets, power parts, and fanless computers.
Thermal Pad
A thermal pad is a soft material placed between a hot component and a cooling surface. It helps move heat from one part to another by filling small gaps. Thermal pads are often used when a heat sink or enclosure needs to draw heat away from a processor, drive, or other component.
Airflow
Airflow is the movement of air through or around a computer system. Good airflow helps carry heat away from important parts so the system can run safely. Poor airflow can cause overheating, slower performance, or shorter component life.
Thermal Throttling
Thermal throttling happens when a computer slows itself down because it is getting too hot. The system reduces speed to lower heat and protect the hardware. This can prevent damage, but it can also make the computer feel slower or less responsive.
Watt
A watt is a unit used to measure electrical power. It helps show how much power a device uses or how much power a power supply can provide. Understanding watts is useful when choosing power supplies, planning cooling, and estimating energy use.
