The power switch controls the flow of electricity into the system. Simple though it is, some considerations are worth noting. The power switch cuts off the electricity AFTER it has come into the |power supply|. This means that, even when the power switch is off, electricity is still present in the system. It is important to keep this in mind when opening the system, as electrical shock may occur. You should always disconnect the power cable whenever you work inside the system.
If the system is turned on and off frequently, the internal components heat up and cool off. This "thermal cycling" can reduce the life of the system. To minimize this, switch the power on and off as little as possible. To prevent ~phosphor burn-in~ of the monitor while the system is on, a ~screen saver~ can be used so that even an eight hour shift is not a problem.
