Final answer:
The best protection for a computer during an electrical storm involves using a surge protector or an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and unplugging the device from the power source. Devices that filter out high-frequency noise and those that prevent shock, like Ground Fault Interrupters and isolation transformers, also contribute to the overall protection of computer systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way to protect a computer from power spikes during an electrical storm is by using a surge protector, an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and by following proper safety procedures. A surge protector is designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes by blocking excess voltage above a safe threshold.
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) provides emergency power to a device when the input power source fails and also offers surge protection. In addition to using these devices, it's important to unplug electronics from the power source during a storm to provide maximum protection.
During an electrical storm, similar to how a car acts as a Faraday cage, these protective measures help in insulating and protecting sensitive electronic equipment from electrical surges. Advance warning of solar storms could also allow for preventative measures to be set in place for larger-scale power systems.
To specifically address high-frequency noise in AC power that can damage computers, devices using a large inductance or large capacitance (in series with the computer) can be used to filter out such frequencies. Additionally, a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) can prevent shock by detecting unintended paths of current loss, and an isolation transformer can insulate the device from the original power source, providing further protection against shock and damage.