Surge protectors are something we have all seen but what exactly are the benefits besides extra outlets? Their main purpose is to protect equipment by reducing power surges and spikes to a level that cannot damage them. Even though they look similar to power strips they do not possess the added security that surge protectors are designed to do, making the few extra bucks spent an investment. They can also help you save!

When a power outage occurs and there is fluctuations in power supply it can damage your electronic devices that are plugged into the wall such as computers, TV’s, and mobile devices. Many devices have electronic timers that continue working even when not in use. Some appliances cycle off and on at random (air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators) and could be on during a power surge.

Circuit breakers are designed to protect against overloads or short circuits, but their reaction time is simply not quick enough to protect against power spikes or surges. A surge protector, on the other hand, is activated within nanoseconds, a nearly immeasurably small amount of time. Most power problems can be eliminated with proper wiring and grounding. Avoiding circuit overloads can also reduce problems. Even one large appliance on the same circuit as your computer or other equipment can produce damaging spikes or surges when the appliance is turned on or off.

The best suggestion is to combine indoor plug-in surge protector (to handle the faster, less powerful disturbances), and a powerful surge protector installed at the electric service panel (which can absorb dramatic bursts of power). Please contact a licensed electrician to ensure they are installed properly.