In the current age, we are relying more on electronic devices in our daily lives. During such reliance, it is essential to ensure their safety and longevity. The spikes and surges in voltage can damage your costly electronic devices, which can also be dangerous to the residents. If you want to make these electronics safe, you need to use some devices that are designed for this purpose. Being negligent in this matter can be harmful and deadly. Two common devices used to protect electronics are surge protectors and power strips. While these two devices may appear similar at first glance, there are significant differences between them. In this article, we will discuss the differences between surge protectors and power strips to make it easier for you to understand which works better. We will also discuss why it is essential to use the right device to protect your electronic devices.
A surge protector is a device that an electrical service provider uses to protect your electronic devices from voltage spikes or surges. These spikes and surges can damage or destroy your devices. Surges can happen due to various reasons, such as lightning strikes, power outages, and faulty wiring. These voltage spikes can cause significant damage to your devices. It can cause data loss, component failure, and even complete destruction of the device. A surge protector works by diverting the excess voltage from the power line to the ground. Thus it helps in protecting your electronic devices from damage.
You may plug several gadgets into a single electrical socket using a power strip. In general, power strips feature many outlets as well as a wire that plugs into a wall outlet. Surge protection is another function that power strips can offer, but not all power strips have it.
The main distinction between a surge protector and a power strip is the surge prevention feature. Your electronic gadgets are protected from surges or voltage spikes by a surge protector. While a power strip just adds more outlets for connecting several devices. A surge protector is the best tool to utilize if you want to shield your electronic gadgets from voltage spikes.
Surge protectors have a higher energy absorption capacity compared to power strips. The amount of energy that a surge protector can absorb is measured in joules. The ability of the surge protector to withstand power surges increases with the joule grade. However, power strips do not have a joule rating, and their energy absorption capacity is much lower than surge protectors.
A surge protector has built-in circuit protection that can prevent your electronic devices from any damage by overloading the circuit. If a circuit is overloaded, the surge protector will trip the circuit, cutting off power to all devices connected. Power strips do not have this feature. In case of circuit overload, it can cause damage to your electronic devices.
In general, surge protectors cost more than conventional power strips. The additional features of a surge protector, like surge protection and circuit protection, make them more expensive than power strips. However, investing in a surge protector is a worthwhile investment if you want to protect your electronic devices from voltage surges.
Surge protectors often have indicator lights to show the status of the surge protection feature. These lights indicate if the surge protector works correctly or if you need to replace it. Power strips do not have this feature, and it can be difficult to know if the power strip provides surge protection.
Power strips typically have more outlets compared to surge protectors. A power strip can provide the necessary outlets if you have multiple electronic devices that need to be plugged in. However, it is essential to ensure you do not overload the circuit by plugging in too many devices.
Electricians recommend surge protectors for use in areas with a high risk of voltage surges, such as areas with frequent lightning strikes or power outages. They also recommend surge protectors for use with expensive electronic devices such as computers, televisions, and home theater systems. Power strips are suitable for use in areas where there is no significant risk of voltage surges and for low-power electronic devices such as lamps, phone chargers, and small appliances.
Surge protectors are essential for protecting your electronic devices from voltage surges that can cause damage or complete destruction of the device. Considering how expensive it may be to replace electronics, buying a surge protector is a tiny thing to pay to safeguard your priceless equipment. Additionally, surge protectors can provide peace of mind because you will know that your devices have protection against power surges.
Power strips could provide you with more outlets so you can plug in more things, but they don’t have the safeguards against voltage spikes that could harm your electronics. Power strips have a lower energy absorption capacity, and they do not have built-in circuit protection. Overloading a circuit can cause damage to your electronic devices, and power strips do not provide any protection against this.
In summary, despite their initial similarity, surge protectors and power strips differ considerably. Power strips offer additional outlets so that many gadgets can be plugged in, whilst surge protectors protect against voltage spikes that could harm or destroy your electronic equipment. Surge protectors have a higher energy absorption capacity, built-in circuit protection, and indicator lights, making them more expensive than power strips. Power strips are suitable for low-power electronic devices, while surge protectors are recommended for use with expensive electronic devices and areas with a high risk of voltage surges. Purchasing a surge protector is a small price to pay to save your priceless electronic equipment and ensure its durability.
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