Surge Protection - Not Just for Computers!

How Surge Protectors Work

Like water, electricity flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

The electrical difference in this pressure running through a wire is measured in voltage. When voltage increases above the norm for at least three nanoseconds, it is called a surge. If the surge is too great, it can burn wire rendering it useless.

A surge protector detects excess voltage and diverts it to a grounding wire. All surge protectors must be plugged into a properly grounded outlet to work as intended.

When to Use A Surge Protector

Lightning is not the main cause of power surges. Most surge protectors are not even able to handle a lightning strike. Only by unplugging your devices are your devices completely protected during a lightning storm.

The main cause of power surges are devices that require lots of power. If you're lights have ever flickered when you turn on something like an air conditioner, you have experienced a power surge.

So when should you use a surge protector? All the time!

The better question is which devices require a surge protector? Any device with a microprocessor should be connected to a surge protector. Guess what? Just about all of today's modern large appliances use some type of microprocessor.

Choose the Right Surge Protector

Choose a surge protector that has an indicator light and comes with a UL rating. Also look for a clamping voltage under 400 volts, a joule rating over 600 and a response time of 1 nanosecond or faster.

When purchasing your next appliance consider a surge protector. They are inexpensive and may save you a lot of money.