Surge Protection: Ensuring Your Electronics Are Safe from Power Surges
A
surge protector, sometimes called a surge suppressor or surge arrestor, is a
device that is plugged into an electrical outlet to protect electronics from
power surges or voltage spikes. Surge protectors work by limiting the voltage
that reaches your electronic devices to safe levels.
Surge Protection Workings
Surge
Protection Devices work through the
use of metal oxide varistors, or MOVs. MOVs are components that act as
resistances, allowing normal voltage to pass through but clamping down tightly
on any surges or spikes. If voltage starts to rise above safe levels, the MOV
activates and shunts the excess energy to ground before it can damage your
equipment. Most quality surge protectors contain multiple MOVs to provide
protection against surges coming from any outlet lead or power line. Some more
advanced models may also include fuse protection and filtering capacitors.
Surge Protection Causes
Common
causes of power surges include thunderstorms, faults in power lines, utility
switching, and more. Thunderstorms in particular can generate surges as high as
6000 volts that travel along power lines. Even minor events like someone
turning on or off a high-wattage appliance at home can introduce a brief surge.
While your home's internal wiring and breaker panel provide some defenses,
surges still frequently reach wall outlets and can exceed ratings of electronic
components without additional protection.
Equipment Benefits most from a Surge Protector
Any expensive or irreplaceable electronic devices should be plugged into a
surge protector for safety. This includes computers, game consoles, desktop
printers, routers/modems, TVs, stereos, and home office equipment. Simple power
strips without surge protection are not adequate, as they provide no safeguard
against sudden jolts of extra voltage. Sensitive home-theater equipment like AV
receivers is also at high risk and needs robust whole-home protection against
disturbances. Even appliances like refrigerators contain vulnerable electronic
control boards nowadays.
What to Look for in a Quality Surge Protector
When choosing a surge protector, look for models certified by a third-party
evaluator like UL or EIA to ensure acceptable levels of performance. Higher
joule ratings, usually 240 joules or above, equate to stronger surge
suppression ability. Also check how many AC outlets and connectors are
provided- you want enough for all devices in a location. Additional EMI/RFI
filtering, phone/coax protection ports, and warranty durations are all
advantageous features. For whole-home security, consider installing a unit at
your main electrical panel that safeguards your entire system for decades.
Proper Surge Protector Placement and Maintenance
To work correctly, surge protectors must be plugged directly into an outlet,
not into an extension cord or power strip. Ensure any mounted protectors have
an unobstructed path to ground. Also, check MOV indicators periodically, if
present, since surges degrade their ability over time. Plan to replace basic
surge strips every few years or when MOV replacement is needed to maintain
coverage. Unplug protectors during electrical storms if an attraction exists.
With the proper protection in place, your expensive electronics can rest easy.
Surge Protector Protection Levels
Entry-Level Surge Protectors
Basic surge protectors in this category may provide basic overload protection
from minor surges, but their MOVs have low energy absorption capabilities.
Expect UL1449 ratings under 400 joules. These are suitable for protecting less
expensive devices temporarily but won't guard against direct or repeated
lightning strikes on the power lines. Replacement will likely be required
before their advertised lifetime is up.
Mid-Range Surge Protectors
Moving up, mid-range models feature UL1449 ratings between 400-1000 joules
delivered via more robust MOV components. They provide broader surge coverage
against direct and indirect surges that often occur. Whole-home WiFi routers,
desktop PCs and parts of a home office setup can find suitable protection here.
Expect these to last 3-5 years typically if no major surges are experienced.
Premium Whole-Home Surge Protectors
For maximum surge security, premium whole-home protectors installed at the main
electrical panel deliver UL1449 ratings above 1000 joules. Heavy-duty MOVs and
additional filtering circuity safeguard electronics throughout an entire
property. These provide lifetime coverage for all major appliances and systems
in a home by absorbing even massive surge events without failure. Well-known
brands often back these with lifetime product replacements should anything go
wrong.
By making a modest investment in a quality surge protector tailored to your
needs, you ensure expensive electronics, appliances and systems are safeguarded
for years to come. Choose units certified by a reputable third party, consider
MOV replacement and buy from trusted brands. With surge protectors in place,
your connected lifestyle remains secure without worry of power issues
disrupting productivity or whole-home functionality. Take time to review your
setup periodically and upgrade protection levels as needed over the lifespan of
your valuables.
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