How to Make Sure a Surge Protector Will Really Save Your Devices
With the number of electronic devices that need constant power or frequent charging in any home, you’ve probably been looking for options to expand the power of your home’s outlets. But not all power strips are created equal, and you don’t want to settle for something that won’t protect your devices from power surges. So what is a surge protector and when do you need one?
How does a surge protector work?
A surge protector is an extension of your wall outlet: it has one power cord, but multiple (or many) outlets, so you can plug in multiple devices at once. Plus, it offers built-in protection against power surges, which are higher-than-normal flows of electricity that can damage your devices. Power surges can be caused by anything from overloaded circuits and faulty wiring to lightning strikes and power outages. These surges subside almost instantly, but they can destroy your electronics or significantly shorten their lifespan in less than a second, so there’s no reason not to buy a surge protector.
A surge protector’s level of protection is indicated by a joule rating, which is the maximum voltage it can withstand during a power surge before your electronics are compromised. Although this is an initial estimate, the level of protection will decrease over time and the strip will eventually need to be replaced.
Difference between an extension cord and a surge protector
Please note that the terms “surge protector” and “power strip” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. An extension cord is simply a strip of outlets, sometimes with a switch, and plugging into one is no different than plugging directly into the wall. Extension cords create more electrical area but do not provide additional protection. Surge protectors and power strips look the same, but only a surge protector will have a joule rating on the strip or packaging indicating how much power it can handle, and only a surge protector will protect your devices in the event of a power surge.
How to choose a surge protector that will protect your devices
There are a few details to consider when choosing a surge protector for your devices. First, pay attention to the joule rating to make sure you’re buying a surge protector and not a regular power strip. A value of 1,000 joules is probably fine for lamps and kitchen appliances, but you should use 1,000–2,000 joules for routers and power tools, and 2,000 joules or higher for computers, gaming devices, and home theater devices.
The next decision you need to make is how many outlets you need and then get more. You can find surge protectors with a dozen or more AC outlets, and while you may not need that much space right now, buy at least six so you won’t have to upgrade for a while. You should also consider the spacing and orientation of outlets (or whether they can rotate) to accommodate bulkier plugs, extras like USB ports, cord length, and features like auto shutoff.
Some manufacturers go above and beyond by providing a warranty that covers repair or replacement of devices damaged when connected to a surge protector. This feature is nice to have, but never intentionally abuse a surge protector because you’re counting on a warranty claim.
You probably won’t need a surge protector, which charges extra for the ” power conditioning ” that is a built-in feature of most electronic devices.
Finally, just because you have a surge protector plugged in and working doesn’t mean you can just forget about everything associated with it. You should still unplug valuable electronics during severe storms when power surges are likely, avoid overloading one surge protector on every high-power device you have, and replace surge protectors every few years (or after a significant power failure).