Look on the back. If it is surge protected it will have the protection level and specs listed. If it is indeed a surge protector, it will have an electric rating on it or on the packaging you purchased it in. It will be rated in Joules of energy and have a maximum voltage it can handle in case of a power spike.
How do I identify a surge protector?
How can you tell the difference? Surge protectors will have a rating in Joules of energy showing the maximum voltage it can handle from a power spike. You can find those numbers on the box or strip itself. If there are no numbers listed, it is just a power strip.
Is my power strip a surge protector?
What Is the Difference Between a Surge Protector and a Power Strip? The difference between a power strip and a surge protector is that a power strip adds extra outlet space while a surge protector defends against possible voltage spikes that could damage your electronics, appliances, or equipment.
Are surge protectors all the same?
Not all surge protectors are the same. They have a certain amount of surge that they can protect you from. This protection is measured in “joules”, which is a unit that tells you how much energy is getting through.
What should I look for in a surge protector power strip?
A higher joule rating is the best indicator of greater protection. 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.
Are all extension cords surge protectors?
Surge protectors often look just like power strips, but not all power strips are surge protectors. Only surge protections actually help protect your gadgets against power surges. Many power strips are just glorified extension cords without any protection.
What’s the difference between a power strip and a surge protector?
Power strips offer convenience, but not much protection. They might feature a circuit breaker, which usually also acts as a master ON/OFF switch. A surge protector can look much like a power strip, but it adds a true element of protection. It’s what stands in the way of a power surge or spike and your laptop.
How can you tell if a surge protector is bad?
5 Signs of a Bad Power Strip
- It feels hot, has burn marks, or melted plastic. …
- It is damaged, burned, frayed, or discolored cord and exposed wires. …
- It has a broken fuse, outlet, or switch. …
- There are crackling noises and/or the smell of ozone. …
- It keeps turning off and on.
How do I know if my surge protector is UL approved?
Be sure that the product is listed as a transient voltage surge suppressor. This means that it meets the criteria for UL 1449, UL’s minimum performance standard for surge suppressors. There are a lot of power strips listed by UL that have no surge protection components at all.
Should you plug your TV into a surge protector?
Do you have your PC, television, or other expensive electronics plugged directly into a power outlet? You shouldn’t. You should plug your gadgets into a surge protector, which isn’t necessarily the same thing as a power strip.
Do Cheap surge protectors work?
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for: cheap surge protectors don’t work well, if at all, and could actually do more harm than good. To be fair, there is no such thing as a bad surge protector — they all have the same basic function, which is to absorb excess voltage so your electronics don’t get fried.
What should you not 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.
Should you put a surge protector on a refrigerator?
We do not recommend connecting a refrigerator or freezer to a surge protector. The reason we do not recommend this is explained below: The compressor is sensitive to temperature and current overloads and will shut itself down with a power surge.
What is the difference between an extension cord and a surge protector?
The main difference between the two is that your electronics are protected against power surges only with the surge protectors. While power strips may be acclaimed extension cords, they do not offer any kind of protection.
Is it safe to plug a computer into an extension cord?
You can repair small damage, but the experts don’t recommend using repaired cords. Ultimately, you should be aware that pairing your computer with a long extension cord isn’t a tough nut to crack. You can use the extension cord for as long as you want once you follow the safety measures properly.
Is ups better than surge protector?
A UPS delivers second-level protection against surges; it should never be considered a primary surge protection device. It also continually regulates incoming voltage and provides an internal battery that allows connected equipment to continue running even if the power supply is cut.
Does Smart TV need surge protector?
You don’t need a surge protector for your desk lamp or your standing fan, but you do want a surge protector for expensive devices that have intricate microprocessors, like computers, televisions, stereo systems, and media centers. In short, anything electronic and expensive benefits from a surge protector.
Do computers need a surge protector?
You should use a surge protector with your computer. It is filled with voltage-sensitive components that a power surge could damage very easily. At the least, this damage will shorten the life of your computer, and it could wipe out all your data or destroy your system.
What is the advantage of a surge protector over a power strip?
Power strips add extra outlets to your space. Surge protectors act as power strips except they also protect your electronic devices from power surges. While power strips do not come with surge protectors, you can find surge protectors with multiple outlets.
What appliances need surge protectors?
The devices and appliances you want to make sure you plug in, are the expensive ones with microprocessors into your surge protector. This includes TVs, refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, AC units, PCs, laptops, game systems, and phones.
How many devices can I plug into a surge protector?
Generally power strips provide a maximum of six to eight outlets, yet when multiple strips are connected to one another the primary strip connected to the wall unit or building outlet has to supply more energy than it is rated for.
