Surge Protectors

DO IT:  Buy one this weekend.

Let’s face it, we spend a lot of money on our toys.  We buy expensive and sophisticated computers, entertainment centers and electronic equipment. 

And yet, as sophisticated as our electronics are, they are still not equipped to protect themselves against voltage attacks. 

Are you willing to risk irreparable damage to your computer because you didn’t buy the proper surge protector? 

Surge protectors are simple to install, maintenance free and very affordable.  And you MUST NEVER be without one.

It doesn’t take much to damage electrical circuits.  And that damage can occur either instantaneously or over time as smaller surges cause the gradual deterioration of internal circuitry. Voltage surges and spikes, which are sharp and brief jumps in power, can happen for a number of reasons.  Voltage surges last for as little as three nanoseconds (one nanosecond is one billionth of a second); spikes last for one or two nanoseconds. 

Both can do their share of damage in that miniscule amount of time.  They occur for a number of reasons, but the most common is the sudden jump in voltage that occurs when large electrical appliance, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, start up.  A surge protector is necessary to protect these surges and spikes from potentially destroying your computer.

Surge Protectors act like an electrical sponge, absorbing dangerous excess voltage and preventing most of it from reaching your sensitive equipment. Like a sponge, surge protectors have a limited capacity to absorb. Once the capacity is reached, the unit is no longer protecting your equipment and it should be replaced.

When shopping, note the difference between a power strip and a surge protector. Power strips offer additional outlet space. Surge protectors provide protection from changes in electrical current.

As with most things, you get what you pay for when purchasing a surge protector.  So here are some things to look for when shopping: 

Plan on spending about $30 to $80.  Low end surge protectors offer very little protection. 

A good surge protector will have a Ground Indicator Light, which shows that the "ground" path is intact to provide safety.

One of the best features on a surge protector is the Indicator Light – it lets you know the unit is actively protecting your compute  r. Once the unit has reached its capacity and is no longer offering you protection, the light will go out.

Make certain it is rated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).  Any UL-listed product will be labeled as a "transient voltage surge protector," which means that it meets or exceeds a set of minimum standards.

The performance of a surge protector is rated three ways – clamping voltage, response time and energy absorption. The first, clamping voltage, tells you what level of voltage surge has to occur before the surge protector activates and diverts the excess voltage to ground. With this rating, the lower the voltage number is the better the surge protector will perform – it takes less of a surge to activate it.  The lowest UL rating for clamping voltage is 330 volts. UL tests household surge suppressors at 500 amps.

Response time is the amount of time it takes for the surge protector to respond to the surge. Obviously, a fast response time is important, so look for a unit that will respond in one nanosecond or less.

Surge protectors are not made to last forever, so the third rating, energy absorption, indicates how much energy the unit will absorb before it fails. For this rating, look for a unit rated at 300 joules or better, up to around 600 joules for even better performance.

This is the surge protector I use: Tripplite TLM615SA Surge Protector - 2400 Joules, 6 Outlet, Yellow, 15-Foot Cord

Surge Protector Safety Tips

Do not exceed the electrical rating of the product.
Surge protectors are designed for indoor use in dry location.
Surge protectors are not intended for use with aquariums.
Keep children and pets away from the cord.
Do not plug a surge protector into an extension cord.