Which is your perfect fit?
No one likes to talk about it, but power surges can come from anywhere. Whether at home or at work, power surges or spikes can carry the risk of damaging your electronics, from desktop computers to smartphones, power surges can vary in their strength and duration, and in worst case scenarios, risk your safety. Thankfully, surge protectors have come to the scene to bring some well-needed help in the industry, but for those who are just starting out, how do you even get started with surge protectors?
Don’t fret, we’re here to help!
Let’s get started and figure out which surge protector is right for you.
SIEMENS FS060: Stops power surges from entering an electrical system. Can protect smart appliances, computers, heating/cooling systems, and more.
Part One: So, What IS a Surge Protector?
In the simplest terms, surge protectors are safeguard devices that one could use at home or work in the event of a major power surge or spike. Some examples of surges that you may or have already come across are power outages, faulty wiring, lightning, or tripped circuit breakers. When there’s a sudden voltage increase, the surge protector recognizes the current and diverts it to remove the risk, essentially blocking voltage over a certain limit. Remember the number 120, because when it goes over 120 V (or voltage), the surge protector goes into action and shorts to ground voltage.
Clearly, it’s wise to invest in a surge protector, but the next question is: how to choose a surge protector? Keep on reading because we’re going to give you a few things to keep in mind!
Part Two: The Dos and Donts of Surge Protectors
Before we go over the types of surge protectors and which works best for you, the first thing to discuss, specifically what to do and not do when choosing the right surge protector.
DO
- Plan:Make sure to get the accurate number of outlets you’ll need, and then even more for any new devices.
- Review Connections: What outlets do you already have, and what ports might you need? Additionally, what size plugs do you have? It might help to choose a surge protector with widely spaced outlets.
- Think Green:Energy-efficient surge protectors do indeed exist, and having their smart outlets helps cut power to unused devices.
DON'T
- Go Overboard:A rule of thumb is to avoid plugging several devices at once, make sure you have the right surge protector.
- Confuse Names: It’s very easy to think a power strip and surge protector are interchangeable but be warned that power strips do not protect against surges like surge protectors.
- Assume All Surge Protectors work for Everything:It may sound like a no-brainer, but this is to help! Surge protectors do not work with all items, like microwaves or heaters. Make sure you’re using what you need correctly when choosing a surge protector for a commercial building.
EATON CHSPT2ULTRA: Type 2, can universally connect to any breaker box INTERMATIC IG1240RC3: Type 1 and 2 protection capabilities, offers thermal protection
These are just a few tricks of the trade, and we hope that, in some way, these help you when deciding on whether you want to buy a surge protector. But this blog isn’t just about what a surge protector is and what to keep in when purchasing, we need to finally dive in and discuss the many types of surge protectors that exist!
Part Three: So Many to Choose From but which is the Best?
Surge protectors come in all shapes and sizes, and can accomplish a variety of different tasks, but one of the most well-known comes in the form of Whole Home Surge Protectors, utilized for commercial buildings. Typical surge protectors, called point-of-use, cover one outlet, but the whole home is completely hard-wired in your main electrical panel that can keep your building safe from electrical surges rather than one location. This means that any appliance that is also hard-wired into the electrical system is automatically protected.
So why that type of surge protector? Remember, electrical surges can not only be expensive, but the damage can be devastating, especially when it covers the span of the entire building. Here are just a few benefits that the home surge protector can offer:
- Can guard major power surges, even those that can cause damage over time, like lightning.
- Work in tandem with point-of-use and can provide a second level of protection if needed.
- For those looking to stay on budget, these surge protectors are all about saving the damage costs one may have to go through if a power cut hit a hospital or an office.
However, there is one thing to keep in mind, installation is not for the novice. Because whole home surge protectors are hard-wired into your electrical system, there’s a risk when working with high-capacity power circuits. So make sure you have an electrician to help you!
We hope this article turned the tide and got you interested in surge protectors! Looking to find some further options or need help? Rock Lighting is here with all the options and answers!