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SALT LAKE CITY -- If you've ever set up a desktop computer or a home entertainment system, you've probably got a surge protector in the home. You probably bought it at the local home improvement or grocery store and, if you're like most of us, made your decision based on which one was cheapest or looked the best in your living room. A surge protector is a surge protector, right? So why would it matter which one you choose?
Surge protectors often allow you to plug multiple electronic devices into one outlet, but they also protect those devices from sudden increases in electric voltage that damage or completely burn out a television, computer, or other device. These unavoidable surges in power can occur when lightning strikes or, more commonly, when a large device like a refrigerator or an air conditioning unit is turned on. Surge protectors prevent damage to electronics by rerouting excess power to the ground wire, where it is harmlessly disposed.
The inexpensive $5 version you bought at the grocery store provides only basic protection where a whole-house surge protector, called a surge arrestor, can protect the home for up to 20,000 volts.
Where valuable technology is involved, it may not surprise you to find that there are several different levels of surge protection. The inexpensive $5 version you bought at the grocery store provides only basic protection where a whole-house surge protector, called a surge arrestor, can protect the home for up to 20,000 volts. Most of us won't need to protect against a burst of power almost 100 times the regular voltage to the house, but there are at least three things you will want to look for to ensure you buy the right surge protector for the job.
First, check the surge protector rating for response time. The longer it takes for the surge protector to respond, the longer your electronics are exposed to higher voltages than they are designed to handle. The best surge protectors will have a response time that is less than one nanosecond (one billionth of a second).
Next, you'll want to know the clamping voltage of the surge protector. The clamping voltage tells you the level where the surge protector will begin rerouting power to the ground line, so lower clamping voltage indicates better protection. Most surge protectors are rated at 330 volts, 400 volts or 500 volts. Just remember: lower is better.
Finally, every surge protector will have a rating for energy absorption. This rating tells you how much energy (in joules) the surge protector can absorb or reroute before it fails. A good surge protector should be able to absorb at least 200 joules; the best surge protectors will have a rating of 600 joules or more.
Other surge protector features, like an indicator light to show it is working or a product guarantee, may indicate better performance, but not necessarily. A very good surge protector may not have an indicator light, and a poor surge protector manufacturer may issue a guarantee on their way to bankruptcy. A little extra research for the best models on the market can go a long way to protect your electronic hardware.
Dallin Kimble is a graduate student in public administration at Arizona State University. He lives with his family in the Mesa, Ariz., area.
