Also called a
line conditioner, a
device that sits between a computer and its
power supply, typically a wall outlet. The power conditioner provides protection against surges in power just as a
surge protector does, but a power conditioner also maintains a continuous voltage fed to the computer during temporary voltage reductions, such as a brownout. This is referred to as
conditioning. Power conditioners also can filter
EMI emanating from a power source and can smooth the rhythmic cycle of alternating current.