Do I Need a Surge Protector
You need a surge protector to safeguard your electronic devices from damaging voltage spikes and power surges. These surges can originate from various sources, such as lightning strikes, power outages, or the operation of high-current appliances, and can cause irreversible damage if left unchecked.
Surge protectors divert excess voltage from your devices to extend their lifespan and prevent potential hazards like electrical fires and system overloads.
Why Use a Surge Protector
Surge protectors offer multiple benefits beyond just providing additional outlets. They shield sensitive electronics like computers, televisions, and gaming systems from electrical surges, extending their lifespan by preventing gradual wear and tear.
Additionally, surge protectors reduce the risk of electrical fires and system overloads, mitigating hazards from external sources like lightning and internal issues such as faulty wiring.
Ewing Electrico Co. offers whole surge protection services to safeguard your home and valuable electronics from unforeseen electrical events.
Call (704) 804-3320 for whole surge protector services in Charlotte, NC.
How Surge Protectors Work
Surge protectors rely on several key components to safeguard electronic devices from damaging power surges and voltage spikes.
The most common components are metal oxide varistors (MOVs), which dynamically adjust their resistance in response to voltage changes.
When voltage spikes, MOVs absorb excess voltage and act as shunt resistors to divert current to the ground. Their surge current rating increases with a larger cross-sectional area. They are available in various standard dimensions.
In addition to MOVs, gas discharge arrestors (GDAs) or gas discharge tubes (GDTs) are also used. These components become conductive when voltage surges above a certain level, diverting current to the ground by ionizing the gas inside.
Once the voltage normalizes, they return to being poor conductors. These components work together to guarantee the safe diversion of surplus current and protect your devices from transient voltages.
Some surge protectors can also employ avalanche breakdown diodes (ABDs).
It is essential to replace surge protectors regularly, as their effectiveness diminishes over time or after significant power surges.
Types of Surges and Spikes
You should understand the different electrical surges and spikes to protect your electronic devices.
Power surges are short-duration increases in household current, often caused by internal factors such as switching on high-current appliances such as air conditioners or electric dryers. They can last from a few microseconds to several seconds and damage computers and other sensitive devices if they aren’t plugged into surge protectors. They can also result from high-drain appliances demanding more electricity than the home’s wiring can handle.
Voltage spikes, on the other hand, are instantaneous, high-intensity bursts of electrical power, commonly caused by lightning strikes or power restoration after a blackout. These spikes can be highly harmful to electronic devices due to their high intensity and brief duration.
Key Characteristics of Surge Protectors
Key components of surge protectors include Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs), which absorb excess voltage and divert it to the ground wire, and Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs), often used in hybrid configurations for enhanced protection.
Silicon Avalanche Diodes (SADs) are also important, especially for high-speed data transmission and low-voltage applications.
Surge protectors also feature significant indicators such as LED lights that confirm the protector is functioning and alert you to wiring issues or when protection is compromised.
Automatic shutdown and safe-fail protection guarantee that power is cut off to equipment if the surge protector fails.
For better protection, look for surge protectors with high joule and low let-through ratings. Also, look for certifications like UL/TUV to verify that they meet safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should avoid using a surge protector with a UPS. It can lead to inaccurate load reporting, inefficient power distribution, and impact UPS functionality, potentially voiding warranties and protection policies.
You should replace your surge protector if it shows signs of deterioration, such as warning lights going out or physical damage, or if it’s more than three years old, especially after significant power surges or frequent minor voltage fluctuations. Regular inspections and checking the joule capacity are also essential, as each surge reduces the protector’s effectiveness.
Not all power strips are surge protectors. Power strips only add extra outlet space without protecting against voltage spikes, whereas surge protectors have a joules rating and defend against power surges.
Surge protectors do not protect against power outages; they only defend against voltage surges and spikes. If the power goes out, your devices will shut off, even with a surge protector. For continuous power, you need a UPS.
You can use surge protectors outdoors if designed for it, typically marked with an IPX rating, such as IPX6, which withstands continuous rainfall and splashes of water and includes features like drainage holes and heavy-duty materials.