Surge Protectors and Power Strips: Do You Know the Difference?


If you thought the terms “surge protection” and “power strip” were interchangeable, think again. While all surge protectors are essentially power strips, the same cannot be said of the latter. Both of these electrical accessories make it possible to connect several cords into one outlet, but the level of protection they afford is far from equal. Knowing the differences between these two accessories will help you protect your appliances.

The Role of a Power Strip

The sole purpose of the power strip is to make it possible to use an outlet for more than two devices at one time. While power strips are convenient, they are far from safe for your appliances, lamps, and other electrical equipment. During a storm or in the event of a spike in power, the power strip offers zero protection. What does this mean? It means that you could end up with a fried television or broken computer when you thought you were being safe.

Surge Protectors Are the Better Deal

A surge protector offers the best protection and still lets you connect multiple devices at one time. The beauty of the surge protector is that it protects what is plugged into it from power spikes. Most people are unaware that power surges are even happening in their home, but it is common for a circuit to become overloaded from too much voltage. Many times this happens when two large appliances are trying to draw power at the same time from the same circuit. For example, if your dryer and washing machine use the same circuit and are running simultaneously, they are both drawing power. If you turn on your microwave and it’s on the same circuit, it could trip the breaker.

Why Do I Need Whole-House Surge Protection?

Let’s revisit the previous example where three major appliances are running at the same time. Unlike your television and computer or WiFi router, larger appliances are not hooked up to a surge protector strip, which leaves them vulnerable. With whole-house surge protection, everything that draws electricity in your home is protected from energy spikes.

Is whole-house surge protection ideal for you? The best way to determine this is to call a Sana Ana electrician to come to your home and perform an in-depth analysis of your electrical usage.

My Santa Ana Electrician Hero is a top-rated electrical repair and replacement service in Santa Ana that offer 24 hours assistance. Call us today at your earliest convenience!

 

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