Surge protector how does it work

Never rely on a surge protector in a thunderstorm. Unplug your devices for absolute safety. Much more common, and perhaps a bit underestimated, are more subtle, daily surges. When refrigerators, heaters, air conditioners, and other power-hungry appliances kick on there is a sudden, brief demand for more power.

Anyone who's ever seen the lights flicker when one of the appliances kicks on knows what I'm talking about. These small power disruptions can, immediately or over time, wreak havoc on the sensitive components found in equipment such as computers and home theater equipment.

This scenario is perfect for surge protectors. Now, the inherent problem with MOVs is that, with all the small surges happening all the time, they can wear out. Most surge protectors contain more than one MOV, but if the MOVs burn out, that means all surges will have nowhere to go but straight to the devices connected to the protector.

This is why it is important to choose a protector with some type of indicator letting you know when MOV protection has failed, so you know to stop using the protector.

These indicators can be an LED light or an audible buzzer. Another type of surge protection is a gas discharge arrestor , or gas tube. They basically do the same thing as a MOV, siphon off excess voltage and dump it into the ground. But, instead of a semiconductor, gas tubes use a special gas that only conducts electricity when voltage rises above the normal levels. There are a few things to consider when choosing a surge protector.

The first is what devices you are planning on protecting. A lamp, for example, needs no protection since, if there is a surge, the worst that can happen is that the light may burn out.

By: Tom Harris Updated: Feb 11, When you put together a computer system, one piece of standard equipment you'll probably buy is a surge protector. Most designs serve one immediately obvious function -- they let you plug multiple components into one power outlet.

With all of the different components that make up a computer system, this is definitely a useful device. But the other function of a surge protector power strip -- protecting the electronics in your computer from surges in power -- is far more important. In this article, we'll look at surge protectors, also called surge suppressors, to find out what they do, when you need them, and how well they work.

We'll also find out what levels of protection are available and see why you might not have all the protection you need, even if you do use a quality surge protector. The main job of a surge protector system is to protect electronic devices from "surges. Choosing the right surge protection device It can be difficult finding the right surge protector for your needs there are many to choose from ranging from cheap to very expensive.

Read on! What to look for in choosing the right surge protector Here are some important characteristics of a good surge protector, at the very least, you need to ensure the following; Indicator Lights Surge protectors only have a limited lifespan depending on how often they are put to work. UL Rating As for protection power, good surge protectors will come with a UL rating, a rating by the independent Underwriters Laboratories that tests the safety of electronic devices. Clamping Voltage The clamping voltage is the level at which the surge protector starts redirecting the excess electricity away from the plugged-in devices.

Response Time The response time is how long it takes for the surge protector to detect a surge in electricity. Author: Simon Caddy Electrical About: Simon Caddy Electrical is an experienced and qualified electrical company providing a wide range of services, including 24 hour, 7 day a week emergency response.

We provide a vast range of electrical services to commercial, industrial and domestic clients in accordance with all relevant Australian standards. Subscribe via RSS. Happy Clients Simon is very competent, punctual and honest as can be. I have absolutely no problem recommending him. Why choose us We pride ourselves on our excellent communication skills with our clientele and within our team. We strive for a high standard of workmanship and electrical safety, abiding by all Australian standards for the services we provide.

We are a Master Electricians Australia Member. By choosing us you are choosing a quality electrical contractor who has proven they have the experience to provide you with a safe, energy efficient solution for your home or business. We deliver on time service with a smile for a fair price with a month guarantee on our work.

Latest News Read All Choosing the right extension cord for the job. When your nearest power point is just too far away for the power cord, an extension cord comes to the rescue. However, depending on the devi Continue reading. All you need to know about re-chargeable batteries. Typically, power strips are cheap, multi-outlet products that are merely an expansion of a wall outlet.

They're usually small and thin, sometimes fitting directly into the outlet itself. Some might have the barest level of protection, but they're all pretty much just like plugging into the wall directly.

Surge protectors are relatively cheap too, but unlike power strips they offer some level of protection against power spikes. How much and how well varies considerably. They're usually a bit more elaborate, and often bigger, than a simple power strip, though not always.

Surge protectors offer protection in units called joules. Generally, the more joules the better, as this means the device can handle one large surge, or multiple smaller surges, before your gear is in danger. Over time, the parts inside the protector wear down, reducing its effectiveness.

Unfortunately, there's no way to know how much protection a device has left, or if the initial rating is even accurate. Buying from a reputable company, and one that includes a warranty, is a good idea.

Some surge protectors offer a warranty up to a certain amount on the gear connected to the protector. You'll probably never need it, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have it. Keep in mind, however, that just because the warranty exists doesn't mean you'll ever see a dime from it. Note in that Belkin quote the term "at its option. So don't use this as a replacement for home or renter's insurance. There are a number of products on the market that claim to "condition" the power from the wall, promising improved performance in your gear.

Here's the dirty little secret: Your gear already does this. All electronics have a power supply that takes the incoming wall current v in the US , filters it for noise, and converts it into whatever the device needs.