Is That Old Surge Protector Enough?

Sure, we should unplug all of our electronic equipment every time we hear thunder in the distance; it is the safest thing to do as even the best surge protection can’t stop damage from a lightning strike if it is close enough. There are problems with this though; a cloud burst can occur very suddenly and a proper shut down takes time. Also, it is just not economically feasible for a lot of users to unplug and sit idle until the storm passes.

Furthermore, lightening is only one of many reasons that grid conditions can fluctuate, and the others generally come with less warning. Equipment failures, maintenance, and switching operations can have an instantaneous effect from hundreds of kms away. Finally, power is in some ways like water, and your electronic goodies enjoy a smooth, consistent flow. Much like neighbours and family members turning sprinklers and washing machines on and off will make you dodge and lunge for the taps in the shower as pressure and temperature change, possibly falling and injuring yourself in the process, your electronics’ power supply systems will be on the hop as they try to adjust the incoming power. That extra effort can affect the quality of performance and lifespan of your expensive and beloved gear.

So you obviously need some form of protection, but before moving on to choosing a surge protector, a few notes on power strips, outlet splitters, and extension cords. The latter is a way to move power from point A to point B when you can’t reach an outlet from where you need the power, and an outlet splitter takes one or two outlets and splits them (hence the name) into 3 or more. Neither of them, nor combinations of the two (most common is an extension cord with three outlets) offer any protection against surges, spikes, or line noise. More confusing are power strips: a short extension cord with an outlet splitter is combined with an on/off switch, creating a device that looks a lot like a surge protector, but doesn’t offer any surge protection. These products all have their place when used safely and as intended by their manufacturers but it is important to remember that they are just moving and dividing power, not protecting your gear. The next section explains how to make sure you’re getting what you need when choosing a surge protector.

The most basic and affordable protection is a surge protector, most commonly offered in the form of a power strip and combining surge protection with a short extension cord and outlet splitting, though other models are available. Surge protectors that make up part of a dwelling’s or office’s wiring are a great first line of defense for your delicate equipment and offer protection to items that are either hard wired (lighting fixtures) or that wouldn’t have a local surge protector (toaster, electric razor, etc).

These don’t necessarily replace a surge protector for your computer or home theater though, as they don’t protect against all surges depending on from where the surges enter the building, and even ones with good filtering properties allow noise to be reintroduced from other appliances in the building. Finally, these require installation by a qualified electrician, so we’ll focus on the type you can plug in for yourself.

Next Page: Choosing a Surge Protector