In the modern age of electrical devices, most technology sports energy-efficient features that regulate output. However, these modern conveniences often fail to protect against unexpected electrical surges that overload your systems. In these more extreme cases, a dedicated surge protector is needed to ward off the risk of damage to your electronic equipment. Voltage spikes can occur both externally and due to internal malfunctions, so it’s important to cover all possibilities with an adequate surge protector solution.
What Is a Surge Protector?
A surge protector, sometimes referred to as a surge diverter or surge suppressor, is a device used to regulate the amount of power running through your electronics. Sudden voltage spikes are prone to happen during normal operations of the electrical grid. Whether the power surge is caused by thunderstorms or a malfunction of the grid, these voltage spikes send out way more power than most consumer devices can handle.
Surge protectors recognize voltage spikes as they occur and redirect all the excess power away from any devices you currently have plugged in. A surge protector consists of components such as gas discharge tubes and metal oxide varistors (MOVs). These work in tandem to absorb and safely dissipate the extraneous energy caused by grid spikes.
Why Every Home and Business Needs Surge Protectors
Any device hit by an electrical spike may stop functioning altogether. If it doesn’t stop working outright, the damage caused by a spike is liable to reduce the performance of that device. In the modern world of smart devices and internet connectivity, many electronic devices are needed to engage in daily life. In addition to safeguarding your investments, surge protectors prevent disruption to the vital services you rely on.
Businesses should take special care to protect their electronics from electrical damage. There is more than just the cost of repairing several devices after a power spike. The ability to process transactions, order more inventory, and perform other crucial business functions all hinge on having stable electricity and a reliable internet connection.
The Different Styles of Surge Protector
There are four main surge protector types to choose from. However, not all of them are created equal. The most popular solution, power strips, may not be quite as effective as the prevailing wisdom states. The following breakdown will give you a better understanding of what to look for.
Power Strips
Power strips are long rectangles with multiple outlets lined up for convenient access. These are commonly found in homes and businesses alike. Although many power strips are advertised as having surge protection built in, the overall strength of the defense is not up to par.
When faced with lightning strikes, sudden power fluctuations, voltage spikes, or power surges from within the internal grid, a power strip will fail to dissipate all the excess energy fast enough to prevent damage to your equipment.
Whole-House Surge Protectors
These protectors are installed in a home or office’s main electrical grid to provide comprehensive coverage throughout the entire building. Power surges originating from outside the building are absorbed and mitigated before reaching any of your sensitive gadgets inside.
Wall-Mount Surge Protectors
When space is hard to come by, consider installing a wall-mount surge protector. These compact defenders can hang from any wall or flat surface to keep them out of the way. While they only protect a few devices simultaneously, these devices serve as a cost-effective way to safeguard your most important tech.
Battery Backup Surge Protectors
Battery backup models are similar to other surge protectors, with the key difference being a reserve energy source that kicks in during power outages. Not only will your electronics stay safe from surges, but they will continue to run without interruption as well.
How to Choose the Ideal Surge Protector
There are a few main factors to consider when choosing the best surge protector for your setup. Familiarizing yourself with these elements will make your choice of surge protection that much easier.
Clamping Voltage
The clamping voltage metric determines the output level where surge protection kicks in. Common clamping voltage ratings include 330V, 400V, and 500V. When a voltage spike matches the threshold of your protector, it triggers the absorption and mitigation effect that keeps your devices safe from overload. Try to aim for the lowest clamping voltage rating you can in order to improve response times and safeguard your items from additional spikes.
Joule Rating
The Joule rating is the protector’s capacity to absorb energy over its entire lifespan. Higher Joule ratings allow a surge protector to withstand larger and more frequent spikes before replacement is needed. For basic home setups, a Joule rating of at least 600 is recommended. For businesses and more serious configurations, aim for a Joule rating well over 1000 to guarantee the safety of your most important gear.
Layout and Number of Outlets
The layout and volume of outlets you wish to cover play a huge role in your decision. Scan the area you wish to protect and list all the outlets and devices that require coverage. Compact setups usually only need a wall-mounted protector. However, if your equipment is somewhat spread out, then opting for a whole-house surge protector is the better bet.
Response Time
The response time determines how quickly your surge protector will spring into action. In the case of electricity, every nanosecond counts a great deal. Surge protectors with a fewer than one nanosecond response time are ideal because the protection offered is essentially instantaneous upon detection of a voltage spike.
Additional Features
Plenty of surge protectors sweeten the deal with some added bells and whistles. Units may include handy features such as USB charging ports, phone line connections, or coaxial cable support. If any of these conveniences are up your alley, then consider a model with those functions built in.
Certifications
You want to make sure your surge protector will do what it says on the box. To that end, look for certifications given out by authorities on the subject matter. Organizations such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters Laboratories(UL) test each model against the safety standards in place.
The Major Benefits of Using Surge Protectors
Several huge benefits make surge protectors a no-brainer for any home or office. Keep these boons in mind when contemplating your surge protection strategy.
- Preventing electrical damage
- Prolonging device lifespans
- Augmented safety features
- Hedging your investments in equipment
- Versatility
- Securing private data
As you can see, a surge protector is a wise investment for both homeowners and businesses. Since you can never be sure when a power surge from an internal source or the external grid will emerge, your best bet is to install some defenses as soon as possible. With a surge protector ready to go, you can rest easy knowing your precious gadgets and essential tech will continue to function as intended.
Interested in getting help from the electrical pros in Cape Coral? Reach out to Ultimate Homes Cooling and Electrical today to schedule surge protector installation services!
