A surge protector guards against the damage that sudden power surges can cause. It works by pulling the current from one outlet and passing it through to the devices you have plugged into the surge protector. A surge protector contains metal oxide varistor, or MOV, which diverts any extra voltage to ensure devices receive a consistent power level.
Can you use a surge protector extension cord?
To minimize risk and hassle, however, the best solution is to purchase and use a surge protector extension cord, sometimes referred to as a power surge extension cord or a long-cable surge protector. These components provide the benefits of a surge protector, often with multiple outlets, while featuring a power cable multiple feet in length.
Can a surge protector protect more than one outlet?
A surge protector can only safely protect the devices plugged directly into it. If you “expand” the outlets by plugging another surge protector or power strip into your first protector, you risk overloading the device.
What is a Surg E-protected extension?
A surg e-protected extension is designed to protect your electronics from voltage surges. These surges are dissipated by the extension lead before they ever have a chance to reach your plugged-in devices. Power surges can cause extensive damage to sensitive electronics.
How do surge protective devices (SPDs) work?
How Do Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) Work? | nVent A surge protective device (SPD) is designed to protect electrical systems and equipment from surge events by limiting transient voltages and diverting surge currents. Surges can originate externally, most intensely by lightning, or internally by the switching of electrical loads.
Is it OK to use an extension cord with a surge protector?
Extension cords and power strips are not to be used together. Power strips are also commonly called Surge Protectors or Relocatable Power Taps (RPT's) although there are some differences in their capabilities. For connection purposes they are treated the same regardless of their capabilities.
What should you never plug into a surge protector?
Here are some examples of high-capacity appliances that you should not plug into a power strip:Refrigerators.Washing machines and dryers.Sump pumps.Space heaters.Portable air conditioners.Microwave ovens.Toasters.Coffee makers.More items...•
Do surge protectors actually work?
It absorbs common household surges—up to thousands of volts—before they reach your electronics, preventing damage and fires. And you don't have to wonder whether it's still doing its job, because once its protection has worn out, it safely cuts the power so you know it's time to get a replacement.
What is the difference between a surge protector and an extension cord?
The technical differences between surge protectors and power strips are quite simple: A power strip is an extension cord with multiple outlets, and a surge protector is an extension cord with multiple outlets that also absorbs power surges and prevents them from damaging any equipment that is plugged into them.
Should I turn off my surge protector at night?
That's because surge protectors consume energy even when the devices they're protecting are turned off. You should turn off surge protector when not in use because it could be causing a fire hazard.
Are surge protectors a fire hazard?
Every year, thousands of fires result from surge protectors, power strips and electrical cords. Listed below are some suggestions to help prevent a possible fire from beginning. units will trip the breaker if the power strip is over loaded or shorted to prevent overheating.
Does a surge protector work when turned off?
Does A Surge Protector 'Work' When Turned Off? The answer is yes! A 'surge protectors' primary purpose is preventing surges from entering your appliances and damaging them.
Should a TV be plugged into a surge protector?
A circuit breaker is a small line of defense but are you going to plug your 55-inch smart TV into a power strip by the off chance the on-off circuit breaker will save it? No. You need a surge protector with a good amount a joules to protect that high end appliance. Myth #2 - Any Surge Protector Will Do.
How long does a surge protector last?
Surge protectors are great devices, but they have their limits. Surge protectors can only handle a certain number of joules, which a unit of measurement for energy. Normally, surge protectors can last between 3 to 5 years, however they can be worn out quickly if they face several or strong power surges.
How do I know if my surge protector is working?
To determine if the internal surge protection components are working normally, look at the “Protection Present” or “Protected” LED on the front of the surge protector's casing. If it is illuminated green, your surge protector is ready to go and prepared to protect you when the next power surge occurs.
How do I know if my extension cord is surge protected?
If you flip the device over and read through the fine print on the back, you may see a “suppressed voltage rating” or similar specification. If you see anything that refers to “protection” or “suppression” on it, the device you have in your hands is a surge protector.
How many devices can I plug into a surge protector?
We don't want to overload a circuit, so we want to stay within 80% of the maximum capacity. When you purchase a 120-volt power strip, they typically come in 15 or 20-amp capacity to match the circuit they are being used on. A common power strip can power up to six devices.
Is it OK to plug a microwave into a surge protector?
Rule two: never plug high power capacity appliances, like space heaters, refrigerators, or microwave and toaster ovens into power strips or extension cords. These appliances have higher power capacity and need to be plugged into a wall outlet directly.
Can I plug my electric blanket into a surge protector?
No, you should never plug a heated blanket into a power strip. This could cause overloading of the power strip and lead to damaging of the strip, blanket or can even cause an electrical fire.
Does a microwave need a surge protector?
All microwaves have a varistor that protects the control system from powerline surges. There is no need to add an additional surge protector to the line unless you just prefer to do so, or unless the you live in an area where heavy thunderstorms and lightning are common.
Can you plug a crockpot into a surge protector?
Slow Cookers/Crock Pots But such a practice should be avoided entirely because power strips can overheat due to overuse and spark a fire during the slow cooker's extended operational period.
How Does a Surge Protector Work?
It works by pulling the current from one outlet and passing it through to the devices you have plugged into the surge protector. A surge protector contains metal oxide varistor, or MOV, which diverts any extra voltage to ensure devices receive a consistent power level.
What Should You Plug into Your Surge Protector?
As a general rule, you should prioritize using your surge protector for electronics that are expensive to repair or replace. Newer appliances are more sensitive to power surges than older electronics thanks to more delicate and smaller components. Microprocessors that are found in computers and many appliances are most sensitive to high voltage and only work when they receive a stable current within the right voltage range.
What Is a Power Surge?
A power surge is simply an increase in the amount of voltage flowing through electrical devices that exceeds the standard voltage level of 120 volts. Surges can be caused by many things such as high-powered devices, bad wiring, incorrect lightning, or a problem with your utility company’s equipment.
What happens if a surge protector overheats?
A surge protector with an on/off switch and indicator light has a fuse that will melt if it overheats. This causes the space heater to lose the connection and power. However, not all surge protectors have this built-in breaker, and space heaters can easily overwhelm a surge protector.
How much energy does a surge protector absorb?
The first refers to how much energy the surge protector can absorb before failing and should be a minimum of 600 to 700 joules. Clamping voltage is the amount of voltage that triggers the MOV. Ideally, this should be 400 volts or less.
What are some examples of items that can be protected by a surge protector?
Examples of items that can be protected by a surge protector include: Computers. Televisions. Microwaves.
What happens when a MOV detects high voltage?
When the MOV detects high voltage levels, it reduces resistance. If voltage levels are too low, it increases resistance. It will kick in automatically to redirect excess voltage. A MOV has three components, including metal oxide that is connected to your power and grounding line by two semiconductors.
What is surge protector?
Surge protectors protect your electronics from power surges in your electrical system. Erik Von Weber / Getty Images. 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.
What is a power surge?
A power surge, or transient voltage, is an increase in voltage significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity. In normal household and office wiring in the United States, the standard voltage is 120 volts.
What is it called when voltage increases?
When the increase lasts three nanoseconds (billionths of a second) or more, it's called a surge . When it only lasts for one or two nanoseconds, it's called a spike.
Is a surge protector a power strip?
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, ...
