![]() In an area with erratic voltage, your surge protector might wear out in months or a few years on other electrical systems, it might last indefinitely. Surge protectors of the category we tested use metal oxide varistors (MOVs), a kind of circuitry that absorbs voltages above the clamping level and effectively burn away over time. Alternating current (AC) voltage centers around 120V, but it cycles or alternates from -170V through 0V to +170V and back again 120V is the rough average.Įlectronics and all other electrically powered anything for a home or office can accept brief amounts of much higher maximum voltages, which you can logically determine must be true as modest surges are routine and electronic equipment in homes isn’t constantly failing without a surge protector it’s the big surges that need to be blocked. While 330V or above might seem high compared to the 120V nominally delivered in the U.S., it’s not really that out of whack. The surge protector takes a hit instead of your hardware or A/V system, and it could potentially save you hundreds to many thousands of dollars, depending on what you have connected.Ī surge protector should more accurately be called “a thing that blocks excessive voltage when it exceeds a certain extreme point.” This cutoff, called clamping, is typically 330 volts (V), 400V, or 500V. ![]() Such power mediators have a single function: keeping voltage from exceeding a certain rated level, beyond which equipment can blow a fuse, burn out its power supply, or completely fry its circuitry beyond repair. These reviews are of surge protectors designed for a home office or a home-entertainment system. For that, you’ll need to step up to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which combines a continuously charged battery backup, power conditioning, and surge protection. For travel models, how many outlets does it have while remaining compact and versatile, in addition to everything above?įeatures you typically won’t find in surge suppressors such as these are alarms or networked intelligence to alert a computer (and manage a controlled shutdown), or act as an Internet of Things device, to warn about electrical anomalies or provide a status report.Does it offer advanced features, such as USB charging?. ![]() What’s the ratio of cost to features and outlets?.How easy is it to plug in both regular 2-prong and 3-prong cables intermingled with various kinds of USB adapters and wall warts?.Does the surge protector continue to provide power when its clamping capability has burned out? (See the next section for an explanation of precisely what that means.). ![]()
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