Power Surge Causes
Power Strip Surge Protectors
Most people are aware of multi-outlet power strips, but you may not know whether or not the power strip has a surge protector. Check the product’s packaging or look for an indicator light and switch. The most advanced multi-outlet boxes have surge protectors and battery backups that are good for computers. Pricing ranges from $15 for a basic power strip to $150 or more depending on the size of the battery backup.
Surge protectors “trip” when the surge of electricity exceeds a certain limit. Then the electricity is directed into the wall outlet’s grounding wire. This wire routes the electricity away from the power strip and the outlet to lower the electricity to a safe level. Power strip surge protectors are not very high capacity, so a major power surge could overwhelm the surge protector. In this case, the surge protector may stop some of the electricity before it fails, which lessens the damage to appliances. The power strip may even continue to function, but the surge protector will not work, and it should be replaced.
When considering a new power strip with a surge protector, look for three ratings on the packaging:
- Clamping volts level: This rates the voltage limit. When power exceeds the voltage limit, the surge protector trips and sends electricity to the outlet’s ground wire. The UL approved surge protectors have three ratings: 330 Volts, 400 Volts and 500 Volts. Choose a surge protector with the lowest voltage rating possible to better protect electronics
- Energy absorption and dissipation: This rating measures the maximum capacity of the surge protector until it fails. High “joule” ratings protect better than lower ratings. More than 500 joules is a good limit.
- Breaker response time: This rates how long it takes the surge protector to switch the electricity to the ground wire. The surge protector’s response time should be less than one nanosecond. It does not take long for modern appliances and electronics to be damaged by a power surge. The faster the response time, the better the protection.
Some power strip surge protectors will handle other cables and wires in addition to power cords. Look for power strips and boxes with surge protection that can connect with USB, coax cable, phone lines, and network plugs. Major power surges send electricity through connected devices, entering by the power cord but exiting through the coax cable, or network lines.
For example, power enters a cable receiver box through the standard three-prong plug. However, the cable box is connected to a coax cable with a barrel screw. The power surge could travel through the device to the coax cable, which would send the power surge through the home to a HDTV connected to the coax cable for content service.
In addition to the ratings and the additional plugs, also look for:
- Warranties
- Power Shut Down Protection
- Resettable Circuit Breakers
- Surge Warning Devices
- GFCI Protection
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