The Difference Between Power Strips and Surge Protectors
With the exception of your bathroom, you probably have a few appliances, devices, lighting fixtures, and electronics in most rooms of your home, all of which need to be plugged into an outlet. In addition, there are things like vacuum cleaners, fans, and other items that may not have their own dedicated outlet, but sometimes need one.
And if your home is newly built or renovated, chances are it doesn’t have enough electrical outlets to power everything you use on a daily basis. To compensate for this, you may have extension cords or surge protectors that can accommodate additional plugs. But what is what?
Although they look the same and the terms are often used interchangeably, power strips and surge protectors are not the same thing. Here’s what you need to know.
The difference between splitters and surge protectors
Both extension cords and surge protectors consist of an extension cord (various lengths) with multiple outlets, so it’s easy to see where things might get tangled up.
The difference is that there is another element in surge protection devices that ensures that any electronics connected to it is not damaged in the event of a power surge (when extra power enters your home). Extension cords may have a switch, but do not provide (if at all) more protection than a wall outlet.
According to experts from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a surge protector will “clamp” the surge, that is, divert the surge from what is downstream (i.e. connected to outlets). Surge protection devices are especially important if you live in a rural area, in a building with many powerful motors (such as a large furnace or elevator), or in an area where electrical storms often occur – all of which can cause power surges. power line.
Conclusion: Pay attention to the packaging when buying an extension cord or surge protector to make sure you are buying the exact product you need.