Typically for effective surge protection, three layers is recommended.

What is a good level of surge protection?

A higher number indicates greater protection. Look for a protector that is at least rated at 200 to 400 joules. For better protection, look for a rating of 600 joules or more. Response time: Surge protectors don’t kick in immediately; there is a very slight delay as they respond to the power surge.

What is level 3 surge protection?





Type 3 Surge protector device (SPD)
Type-3 SPD is characterized by a combination of voltage waves (1.2/50 µs) and current waves (8/20 µs). • Its main function is to limit low level surges which can damage sensitive electronic circuits in TVs, PCs and electric appliances.

How many surges can a surge protector take?

For example, if you buy a surge protector rated for 1,000 joules, you can handle surges up to 1,000 joules. This may mean a single 1,000 joules hit will zap the remaining life from your surge protector. However, you can also handle 10 surges of 100 joules or 100 surges of 1-joule hits.

What are the 3 different types of surge protectors?

There are three different types of Surge Protective Devices:

  • Type 1 SPD installed at the origin, e.g. main distribution board.
  • Type 2 SPD installed at sub-distribution boards. (Combined Type 1 & 2 SPDs are available and are usually installed in consumer units).
  • Type 3 SPD installed close to the protected load.

How many joules of surge protection do I need for a computer?





2,000+ joules: Surge suppressors with over 2,000 joules of protection should be considered for your most important, and expensive, devices, such as computers, home theaters, gaming consoles and more.

What type of surge protector do I need?

Choose a surge protector with a joule rating at the very least in the 200 to 400 range. Sensitive or costly equipment, such as computers, displays and audio/video equipment, warrants a joule rating of at least 1000. A joule rating over 2000 indicates maximum protection.

What is Type 1 Type 2 and Type 3 surge protection?

Type 1 & 2 surge arresters are installed directly under the incoming breaker. We use Type 1 when there is a lightning bolt installed on the building roof. When there’s not, we use Type 2. Type 3 is installed in parallel with the sensitive loads ( Computers, printers…etc. )

How do you size a surge protector?

The formula to determine this will depend on the type of system. For example, for a single-phase system (also called a split-phase system), the line-to-line voltage is divided by two. The result is the optimal amount of volts that the SPD should have for that system.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 surge protectors?



Type 1 SPD is characterized by a 10/350 µs current wave. The Type 2 SPD is the main protection system for all low voltage electrical installations. Installed in each electrical switchboard, it prevents the spread of overvoltages in the electrical installations and protects the loads.

Is 1200 joules a good surge protector?

Units with surge protector ratings of joules will provide sufficient protection for power tools and office equipment such as printers, copiers and routers. Consider the highest joule ratings—2000 and above—for home theater components, gaming consoles and any computer that stores important data…

What type of surge protector is best for computers?

The best surge protector you can buy today

  1. APC Performance SurgeArrest 12. …
  2. Belkin 12 Outlet Surge Protector. …
  3. Anker PowerPort Strip 12. …
  4. CyberPower Desktop Power Charger. …
  5. Monoprice 12 Outlet Power Surge Protector with 2 Built-in USB Charger Ports. …
  6. Belkin 3-outlet Mini Surge Protector with USB Ports.


Is 2500 joules enough for a surge protector?

Small electronics (like lamps, radios, and battery chargers) are fine with joule ratings under 1000. But for computer or home theater equipment, you’ll definitely want to consider surge protectors with joule ratings of 2500 or more.

How many joules is a lightning strike?

one billion

With an average bolt of lightning striking from cloud to ground containing roughly one billion (1,000,000,000) joules of energy, that is a lot of power in every lightning bolt!

How many joules do I need to protect my TV?



Recommendations. Electronic accessories manufacturer Belkin recommends its 1,411 joule model for most TV sets, or its 2,444 joule unit for projection televisions. ReviewSurgeProtector.com similarly advocates a minimum level of 1,500 joules for TVs.

How many joules is a power surge?

How many joules are needed to protect a mac laptop, pc computer, TV, or washing machine?

Device Recommended Minimum Joules Rating for Surge Protector Minimum Clamping Voltage
Desktop 3000 330 volts
Router 2000 330 volts
TV 3000 330 volts
Washing Machine 1000-2000 330 volts

Is 2100 joules good?

From what I’ve learn anything 2000 joule and higher is good enough for all that. Just keep in mind that the higher the joule rate the more it protects so always go with the higher joule rate surge protector to protect expensive equipment. Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

What size whole house surge protector do I need?

40,000 amps



The recommended minimum protection from a whole-house system is 40,000 amps, though many are much higher. A lightning strike is usually around 30,000 amps.