In a world brimming with electronic devices, finding enough wall outlets is a common struggle, making surge protectors essential for safeguarding your tech behind TVs and beneath workstations.
On the other hand, not every surge protectors are created equal, and some might really endanger your electronics. We conferred with an electrician to learn how to choose quality products and employ them securely.
Many plugs are needed for the many technological devices. A standard desktop computer, for instance, requires power for the display, central processing unit, modem, loudspeakers, printer,wirelessly router, and any other peripherals you might want to plug in.
A typical home theater system, packed with devices like TVs, preamps, turntables, subwoofers, receivers, speakers, DVD players, cable boxes, and gaming consoles, demands comprehensive surge protection to manage its complexity.
Usually, people will just acquire a nice whole-house surge protector or a power strip, but there are important distinctions between the two. While most power strips also function as surge protectors, this is not always the case.
Commonly, they share a section in the hardware or retail store. However, you need to be aware of the distinction before making a purchase.
Contents
Explaining the Function of a Surge Protector
Electronic devices such as laptops, home theater systems, televisions, appliances and video game consoles can be damaged by power surges and spikes, which occur when the average voltage of an electrical line suddenly increases. While surges often last only a few seconds, their voltage is still far lower than that of spikes.
Typically, they occur when the demand for electricity suddenly shifts, like when a large load, such as an air conditioner, heater, refrigerator, or laser printer, is switched on or off. The duration of spikes is noticeably shorter.
They’re barely milliseconds long, but they pack hundreds of volts of power. Storms and power line issues, including shorts from fallen trees or branches, can also lead to voltage spikes.
Both short- and long-term exposure to spikes and surges can cause irreparable harm to electrical devices.
Power spikes and fluctuations, no matter how slight, can damage or degrade the functionality of electronic devices over time. In order to safeguard the gadgets you have plugged into them from potentially harmful surges of electricity, surge protectors (also called surge suppressors) are used.
Yet, surge protectors have their limits; they can absorb only a finite amount of excess voltage. Once they reach their capacity, they stop offering effective protection and need replacing to ensure your devices remain safe.
Surge Protectors Type
- Surge protectors for power strips typically come with a wire that allows you to place them conveniently adjacent to your electronic devices. A few of them even come with predrilled holes so you can hang them on the wall. The number of plugs ranges from 6 to 12.
- Power strips that are meant to be mounted on the wall do not require an extension cord. They usually come with anywhere from two to six plugs. Models designed for portability are tiny, and their power cords may be tucked away inside the gadget.
Distinctly superior to ordinary power strips, surge protectors offer advanced protection. While both might increase outlet availability, only surge protectors guard against voltage spikes, discernible by their joule ratings and voltage specifications clearly stated on their packaging.
How to Choose the Right Surge Protector?
Now that you have a basic understanding of what a surge protector and how it functions, we can go on to discussing the features you should look for in a surge protector.
Difference Between a Surge Protector and a Power Strip
Surge protectors are not always the same as devices that simply add more outlets. Despite their convenience, power strips offer no protection against electrical spikes or surges and instead just allow several devices to use a single wall socket.
It’s common for surge protectors to include a light that reads “surge” or “protected,” differentiating them from power strips and verifying that they’re still working. If this light doesn’t come on when you plug in your surge protector, you should probably get a new one.
A surge protector’s bottom should also list any approvals the product has received. See whether it’s marked as a “Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor” (TVSS) or “Surge Protective Device” or has the UL logo (SPD).
The nonprofit organization Underwriters Laboratories conducts product safety evaluations. A surge protector that bears their logo or one of the aforementioned designations (TVSS or SPD) has been certified as meeting the requirements of UL 1449.
The sole reason to choose a power strip over a surge protector is because of the price difference. A surge protector is worth the few additional dollars it costs since it may prevent damage to your equipment that might cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Backup Power Systems – UPS
A battery, found in certain surge protector models, keeps your electronics running even if the power goes out. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units are typically used in computers and other devices that house sensitive data.
The battery within the UPS allows your computer to shut down normally in the event of an unexpected power outage. Software connecting the two can tell your computer to cut the power when the UPS switches to battery power, protecting your data in the event of a power outage.
Power Sockets
The quantity of available outlets is a crucial feature to look for in a surge protector. Make sure the surge protector has enough outlets to power your whole home theater or office setup, plus a few spares in case you decide to add more electronics later.
Also, don’t assume that just because there are several outlets that you can plug in all of your gadgets at once; many electronic equipment have bulky power converters that might prevent you from using nearby outlets. Some surge protectors include outlets that are spaced further apart from one other and located on more than one side so that they can accommodate plugs that are particularly big.
Make sure there is adequate room for large power adapters and that there are enough outlets to charge all of your gadgets in the layout you choose.
Connections
It’s natural to assume that only power lines are susceptible to electrical surges, but in fact, cable, satellite, and telephone, even ethernet connections may conduct potentially lethal levels of current.
Many surge protectors provide input and output jacks for each of these cable standards, protecting your electronics from spikes in voltage from either direction.
Warranty
In the case of an electrical surge, many surge protectors come with a guarantee that either repairs the damaged equipment or replaces it with a new one. Power surges can cause damage, but it may be difficult to show that a surge that bypassed your surge protector was the cause.
To add insult to injury, without concrete evidence, manufacturers are naturally unwilling to write a cheque. Sending your power strip to the manufacturer and paying for an expert diagnosis of your electrical device are common steps in the procedure (s).
That’s why it makes sense to file a warranty claim for a significant purchase.
Key Performance Indicators
Attractive and informative product packaging is a marketing strategy used to sell more of a product. Given all the technical details, this may appear complicated. In the beginning, your attention should be focused on these:
Higher Joules the Better
Indicated on the surge protector is its capacity to absorb energy in the form of joules. Imagine it as a wall that prevents too much force from entering. A higher rating indicates that the surge protector can take more forceful strikes from a single or series of occurrences before failing.
If a surge protector is rated for 500 joules of safety, it may safely absorb up to five hundred and fifty joules of energy, or ten hits of fifty joules each, or two hundred and fifty joules each, or five hundred and ten joules total. Ratings of 1000 joules or less are suitable for most small gadgets.
Surge protectors with a joule rating of 2500 or above are recommended for sensitive electronics such as computers and home entertainment systems.
Power Supply Voltage Used to Clamp Devices
The point at which a surge protector activates and redirects excess power to ground is known as the clamping voltage and is also referred to as the electricity protection rating or the suppressed voltage rating.
When it comes down to it, clamping voltage (the most voltage that can pass through) is more important than the joules claimed to provide protection.
With a lower value, the surge protector will be less forgiving of high voltage. This means that a surge protector with a clamping voltage of 330 V will prevent a bigger surge or spike from occurring , which can damage electronics, before taking action than one with a clamping voltage of 500 V.
The Length of Time It Takes To Respond
You can tell how fast a surge protector will react to redirect extra voltage by looking at its reaction time, which is commonly measured in nanoseconds. Despite appearances, the processing of technological devices takes time.
The clamping voltage is directly related to the response time. Faster activation of surge protectors means that excess voltage is redirected before it might cause damage. Select those with response times of one millisecond or less for the best results (or less).
UL 1449 (must have)
All Surge Protective Devices must comply with UL 1449, which is a safety standard set by Underwriters Laboratories (SPD).
Manufacturers of surge protectors must follow the guidelines for design, certification, and product testing tools set out in this standard in order for their products to be considered safe for consumer use.
This information should be clearly disclosed on the packaging of any surge protector you consider purchasing.
Be an educated consumer by reading the fine print on the product’s packaging or online before making a purchase. Never buy a surge protector thinking it would safeguard your electronics, because many of them are merely “surge protectors” in name.
Conclusion
Power surges and spikes pose a real threat to devices like laptops, home theater systems, TVs, and gaming consoles. By using a surge protector, you shield your valued electronics from these unpredictable voltage fluctuations. This guide will walk you through selecting high-quality surge protectors and using them effectively to ensure your devices’ longevity, emphasizing that they offer more than just extra sockets — they provide real protection.
Power strips offer no protection against electrical spikes or surges. A surge protector may prevent damage to your equipment that might cost you thousands of dollars. The battery within the UPS allows your computer to shut down normally in the event of an unexpected power outage. The quantity of available outlets is a crucial feature to look for in a surge protector. Many surge protectors come with a guarantee that either repairs the damaged equipment or replaces it with a new one.
A surge protector’s toughness is determined by its joule rating, which indicates its capacity to absorb energy in the form of joules. A higher rating indicates that the surge protector can take more forceful strikes from a single or series of occurrences before failing. The point at which a surge protector activates and redirects excess power to ground is known as the clamping voltage. A surge protector’s clamping voltage is directly related to the response time of a device. Select those with response times of one millisecond or less for the best results. Surge protectors must comply with UL 1449, which is a safety standard set by Underwriters Laboratories (SPD).
Content Summary:
- Since most of us have more electronic gadgets than wall outlets, surge protectors are commonplace behind TVs and under workstations.
- On the other hand, not every surge protectors are created equal, and some might really endanger your electronics.
- We conferred with an electrician to learn how to choose quality products and employ them securely.
- Many plugs are needed for the many technological devices.
- A standard desktop computer, for instance, requires power for the display, central processing unit, modem, loudspeakers, printer,wirelessly router, and any other peripherals you might want to plug in.
- Usually, people will just acquire a nice whole-house surge protector or a power strip, but there are important distinctions between the two.
- While most power strips also function as surge protectors, this is not always the case.
- Commonly, they share a section in the hardware or retail store.
- However, you need to be aware of the distinction before making a purchase.
- Electronic devices such as laptops, home theater systems, televisions, appliances and video game consoles can be damaged by power surges and spikes, which occur when the average voltage of an electrical line suddenly increases.
- While surges often last only a few seconds, their voltage is still far lower than that of spikes.
- Storms and power line issues, including shorts from fallen trees or branches, can also lead to voltage spikes.
- Both short- and long-term exposure to spikes and surges can cause irreparable harm to electrical devices.
- Power spikes and fluctuations, no matter how slight, can damage or degrade the functionality of electronic devices over time.
- Surge protectors for power strips typically come with a wire that allows you to place them conveniently adjacent to your electronic devices.
- The number of plugs ranges from 6 to 12.
- Power strips that are meant to be mounted on the wall do not require an extension cord.
- They usually come with anywhere from two to six plugs.
- Surge protectors are more advanced than regular power strips or adapters with several outlets.
- Despite providing more outlets, surge suppressors and adapters are not safe against surges.
- Now that you have a basic understanding of what a surge protector and how it functions, we can go on to discussing the features you should look for in a surge protector.
- Surge protectors are not always the same as devices that simply add more outlets.
- Despite their convenience, power strips offer no protection against electrical spikes or surges and instead just allow several devices to use a single wall socket.
- It’s common for surge protectors to include a light that reads “surge” or “protected,” differentiating them from power strips and verifying that they’re still working.
- If this light doesn’t come on when you plug in your surge protector, you should probably get a new one.
- A surge protector’s bottom should also list any approvals the product has received.
- See whether it’s marked as a “Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor” (TVSS) or “Surge Protective Device” or has the UL logo (SPD).
- The nonprofit organization Underwriters Laboratories conducts product safety evaluations.
- A surge protector that bears their logo or one of the aforementioned designations (TVSS or SPD) has been certified as meeting the requirements of UL 1449.
- The sole reason to choose a power strip over a surge protector is because of the price difference.
- A surge protector is worth the few additional dollars it costs since it may prevent damage to your equipment that might cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units are typically used in computers and other devices that house sensitive data.
- The battery within the UPS allows your computer to shut down normally in the event of an unexpected power outage.
- Software connecting the two can tell your computer to cut the power when the UPS switches to battery power, protecting your data in the event of a power outage.
- Power Sockets The quantity of available outlets is a crucial feature to look for in a surge protector.
- Make sure the surge protector has enough outlets to power your whole home theater or office setup, plus a few spares in case you decide to add more electronics later.
- Also, don’t assume that just because there are several outlets that you can plug in all of your gadgets at once; many electronic equipment have bulky power converters that might prevent you from using nearby outlets.
- Make sure there is adequate room for large power adapters and that there are enough outlets to charge all of your gadgets in the layout you choose.
- Many surge protectors provide input and output jacks for each of these cable standards, protecting your electronics from spikes in voltage from either direction.
- Warranty In the case of an electrical surge, many surge protectors come with a guarantee that either repairs the damaged equipment or replaces it with a new one.
- Power surges can cause damage, but it may be difficult to show that a surge that bypassed your surge protector was the cause.
- To add insult to injury, without concrete evidence, manufacturers are naturally unwilling to write a cheque.
- Sending your power strip to the manufacturer and paying for an expert diagnosis of your electrical device are common steps in the procedure (s).
- That’s why it makes sense to file a warranty claim for a significant purchase.
- Attractive and informative product packaging is a marketing strategy used to sell more of a product.
- Given all the technical details, this may appear complicated.
- Indicated on the surge protector is its capacity to absorb energy in the form of joules.
- Imagine it as a wall that prevents too much force from entering.
- A higher rating indicates that the surge protector can take more forceful strikes from a single or series of occurrences before failing.
- If a surge protector is rated for 500 joules of safety, it may safely absorb up to five hundred and fifty joules of energy, or ten hits of fifty joules each, or two hundred and fifty joules each, or five hundred and ten joules total.
- Ratings of 1000 joules or less are suitable for most small gadgets.
- Surge protectors with a joule rating of 2500 or above are recommended for sensitive electronics such as computers and home entertainment systems.
- The point at which a surge protector activates and redirects excess power to ground is known as the clamping voltage and is also referred to as the electricity protection rating or the suppressed voltage rating.
- When it comes down to it, clamping voltage (the most voltage that can pass through) is more important than the joules claimed to provide protection.
- With a lower value, the surge protector will be less forgiving of high voltage.
- This means that a surge protector with a clamping voltage of 330 V will prevent a bigger surge or spike from occurring , which can damage electronics, before taking action than one with a clamping voltage of 500 V.
- You can tell how fast a surge protector will react to redirect extra voltage by looking at its reaction time, which is commonly measured in nanoseconds.
- Despite appearances, the processing of technological devices takes time.
- The clamping voltage is directly related to the response time.
- Faster activation of surge protectors means that excess voltage is redirected before it might cause damage.
- Select those with response times of one millisecond or less for the best results (or less).
- UL 1449 (must have)
- All Surge Protective Devices must comply with UL 1449, which is a safety standard set by Underwriters Laboratories (SPD).
- Manufacturers of surge protectors must follow the guidelines for design, certification, and product testing tools set out in this standard in order for their products to be considered safe for consumer use.
- This information should be clearly disclosed on the packaging of any surge protector you consider purchasing.
- Be an educated consumer by reading the fine print on the product’s packaging or online before making a purchase.
- Never buy a surge protector thinking it would safeguard your electronics, because many of them are merely “surge protectors” in name.
