What Is a Surge Protector?

Surge protectors safeguard against irreparable damage to your sensitive devices and equipment by preventing electrical spikes and surges from reaching their internal components. Electrical equipment, such as computers, DVD players, televisions and microwaves are sensitive to even slight variations in current strength. Damage to these items may be instantaneous and result from a single surge or may be caused by the gradual deterioration of internal circuitry. Surge protectors offer critical protection against these surges while also providing multiple, grounded outlets on a single cord. To be truly effective, however, a surge protector must also protect against surges on cable and phone lines.

Function

Surge protectors regulate the voltage passed to an electrical device by absorbing, blocking or diverting extra electricity into a grounding wire, thereby protecting the device from damage caused by power fluctuations.

Types

Three main types of surge protectors are available: MOVs, which divert extra voltage by means of a metal oxide varistor, gas discharge arrestors, which use inert gas to divert electric surges and silicon avalanche diodes.

Features

MOV surge protectors, the most common type of surge protectors, are formed of three parts: a piece of metal oxide, a grounding line and two semiconductors.

Considerations

Surge protectors do not provide immediate protection in the event of a power surge, and surge protectors with longer response times leave your devices exposed to surges for a longer period.

Warning

Surge protectors are not guaranteed to work beyond a single surge, and continuing to use a burned-out surge protector will leave your equipment vulnerable and may even result in a fire.