- A
A power strip with a surge protector.
Why wrong: A surge protector only protects against voltage spikes, not sags or brownouts, which are likely causing the intermittent reboots.
- B
A line conditioner (voltage regulator).
Why wrong: A line conditioner stabilizes voltage but does not provide battery backup; if power drops out completely, the PC will still shut down.
- C
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
A UPS provides battery power during outages and regulates voltage, preventing reboots from both sags and spikes, making it ideal for unstable power environments.
- D
A dedicated circuit from the breaker panel.
Why wrong: A dedicated circuit reduces interference from other devices but does not protect against utility-side power quality issues like sags or brownouts.
Quick Answer
The answer is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) because intermittent reboots and startup failures are often caused by low-voltage conditions like sags and brownouts, not just power surges. A UPS provides battery backup and automatic voltage regulation (AVR), which keeps systems running cleanly through these dips, whereas a surge protector only blocks high-voltage spikes and does nothing to maintain power during a sag. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of power quality issues versus simple surge protection—a common trap is choosing a surge protector when the real problem is unstable voltage, not a spike. Remember the memory tip: “Sags need a UPS, spikes need a strip.”
220-1101 Power Supply Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of power supply. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A small business has several PCs that intermittently reboot or fail to start. The building's electrical system is old, and the technician suspects power quality issues. Which device should the technician recommend installing to protect the computers?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides battery backup and voltage regulation, protecting against surges, sags, and brownouts that can cause reboots or failures. A surge protector only guards against spikes, not low-voltage conditions. A UPS is the appropriate solution for unstable power.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A power strip with a surge protector.
Why it's wrong here
A surge protector only protects against voltage spikes, not sags or brownouts, which are likely causing the intermittent reboots.
- ✗
A line conditioner (voltage regulator).
Why it's wrong here
A line conditioner stabilizes voltage but does not provide battery backup; if power drops out completely, the PC will still shut down.
- ✓
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
Why this is correct
A UPS provides battery power during outages and regulates voltage, preventing reboots from both sags and spikes, making it ideal for unstable power environments.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A dedicated circuit from the breaker panel.
Why it's wrong here
A dedicated circuit reduces interference from other devices but does not protect against utility-side power quality issues like sags or brownouts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Power Supply — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Power Supply — This question tests Power Supply — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS). — An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides battery backup and voltage regulation, protecting against surges, sags, and brownouts that can cause reboots or failures. A surge protector only guards against spikes, not low-voltage conditions. A UPS is the appropriate solution for unstable power.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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