the voltages from lightning are in the millions, and too high for them and your home ground to deal withī. It’s possible you suffered a “close miss” that caused damage, and you had good, fast protectors. You were lucky: surge protectors do not generally protect against lightning. You can never have too many surge protectors as far as I’m concerned. Thankfully items that were plugged into surge protectors (mostly PCs) survived the strike undamaged. A bolt of lightning literally hit my house, and was powerful enough to fry the ground surge protector (I may have the name wrong, it was the one in the fuse box itself), along with multiple electronics - a TV, a Fax machine, 2 aquariums, and an intercom system (that was literally replaced the day before at a significant cost!) to name a few items. You’ll need at least 2 amps for quick-charging power.I wish we had had more surge protectors earlier this summer. If you’re using the USB ports on your power strip for charging, you’ll want to make sure enough power gets through to your device.Look for a Joules rating on any power strip you’re buying. Although they look similar to surge protectors, some power strips have no surge protection whatsoever.Some, however, will need to replace the outlet, which requires some basic installation work. Most surge protectors can be plugged into an outlet you already have.LED lights that alert you if an outlet is active can come in handy.As an extra protection, some surge protectors shut off power to the strip if the protection circuit is compromised.Some are even built using fire-resistant materials. They can also help reduce your risk of a fire. Surge protectors don’t just protect your equipment.This will give you the flexibility you need if you’re squeezing it behind desks and other furniture. Some surge protectors have outlets that can be rotated by as much as 90 degrees.Surge protectors typically last three to five years. Unfortunately, most strips won’t let you know when this happens. Over time, power strips lose their protective features. If you’ve had your power strip for a while, it’s likely time for an upgrade.For surge protection, look for a strip rated at least 600 Joules.Some surge protectors put plenty of space between each outlet to help with that. Bulky power cords can be tough to plug into tight outlets.This will come in handy for charging phones and mobile devices without having to track down your power brick. Some surge protectors have USB outlets.Make sure you have enough to cover your current equipment plus anything you might add to your collection. The number of outlets, as well as the placement of them, are important considerations when you’re picking out a surge protector.You may find that the angle won’t be ideal for your power cords with some surge protectors, in which case you’ll possibly need to consider one that has adjustable outlets, or outlets on the sides as well as the front. Pay attention not only to the space you’ll have to store the protector, but how accessible it will be for your power cords. In recent years, manufacturers have upgraded to a style that keeps the power strip as snugly against the wall as possible.īefore you start shopping for a surge protector, though, take a close look at the area where you’ll be keeping it. Traditional strip-style protectors are designed to be set on the floor or a table, but those can get in the way. You’ll also have a wide range of choices when it comes to the build of your surge protector. The higher the rating, the better, but it’s best to stick with protectors that have a Joule rating of at least 600. That rating refers to the level of energy the equipment can absorb before failing. You’ll notice as you’re looking for a surge protector that they’re rated in Joules. With a surge protector, you get protection against those spikes to prevent data loss or, worse, entire device loss.īut not all surge protectors are the same. The average home experiences hundreds of potentially dangerous surges in electricity every year. A surge protector is built specifically to absorb those spikes and over-voltages. There’s a way to protect against those surges, though. Since most households leave items plugged in even when they aren’t in use, this means many consumers are at risk of a loss. Power fluctuations and storms can cause something called a “surge,” which can damage sensitive electronics. Unfortunately, electricity can be unpredictable. Your electronic devices and appliances rely on a steady stream of electricity.
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