There are numerous ways power can surge. For instance, a large bolt of lightning can hit the transformer down the street, and it can send a large tidal wave of electricity towards your house. Micro-surges can also happen when large appliances start up, such as your refrigerator or clothes dryer. The good news is that you can keep your appliances and devices safe by choosing the right surge protectors.
Make Sure You Have Enough Joules
When purchasing a surge protector, the most important number you need to look for on the back of the package is the joule rating. This tells you exactly how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it dies. A higher joule rating means more coverage. So, it can handle more hits or one sizable hit. For things such as lamps or a basic clock radio, you might be okay with a strip rated for 200 joules. This is relatively light protection. However, for a powerful device, such as a computer or your main television, you should definitely be looking for a protector with at least 2,000 joules. Although it costs more, it provides more protection. Some models even come with an insurance policy, meaning that the company will replace your device if it gets fried while you have it plugged in.
Clamping Voltage and Response Time: Speed Matters
Clamping voltage and response time are the speed and precision of the protection. Clamping voltage is the “trigger point” that tells the surge protector to stop absorbing energy and start diverting it safely to the ground. You want a low clamping voltage, ideally under 400 volts. This will ensure that the surge is stopped long before it gets powerful enough to do any damage to your electronics or devices. The response time measures how fast the protector reacts to the spike. This number should be in nanoseconds or picoseconds. This means it clicks into action in less than one-billionth of a second. If a surge protector has a high clamping voltage, it’s like a security guard who only starts working after the intruder has already broken through the window.
Indicator Light
The final feature that many people overlook is the indicator light. Most top-quality surge protectors have a small LED that says “Protected” or “Grounded.” This light must be on for the device to do its job. It’s important to know that every time a surge protector takes a hit, its internal “joule bucket” is slowly being depleted. A sudden huge spike, such as from a lightning strike, can use up the entire joule capacity in an instant. When that happens, the protection components are officially “spent.” That light will go out, telling you that the strip is now just a regular, unprotected power outlet. If you walk into a room and that light is off, you should unplug everything and replace the surge protector immediately before the next power spike.
If you live in Athens, GA or a surrounding area and need surge protection services, make your first call to Jordan Air.
