Protect Us

Over the years, surge protectors have transitioned from an item seen as a tech luxury to tech necessity. This is due in part to the position of importance that personal computers have gained in our offices, homes, and lives. Computers are so vital to many of our daily functions that investing in a surge protector is a small price to prevent potential damage to the info on our computer.
Many people realize that the lightning that accompanies monsoon storms can cause power surges but they are not the only sources of damaging power fluctuations. In your home, refrigerators and air conditioning units can cause power levels to surge. In office settings, there are many sources including elevators. With so many potential surge sources, it is easy to see why there are multiple levels of protection against power surges.
Often, a basic power strip or even multi outlet extension cords are mistakenly confused as being surge protectors. An easy way to identify a surge protector is that it will have a switch on it that can turn the power on and off to devices that are plugged into it. More expensive models can include protection for phone or modem lines and cable connections in addition to the normal outlet powered devices. On the far end of the surge protector spectrum are universal power supplies. Not only do they protect against sudden power failure and fluctuation, they will also power your device until it can be shutdown properly.
When choosing a surge protector, there are three things that you should check for. The first is the clamp voltage. Ideally, you want a protector in the 330-400 volt range. The second thing to look for is the amount of energy that can be absorbed by the protector. Anything higher than 400 joules is good. The last think to look for is the response time of the protector. Obviously, the faster that your surge protector can react the better. Anything less than one nanosecond is worth purchasing. This may sound like it exceedingly fast, but even one nanosecond can be an eternity to your PC during a power surge.
There are various types of surge protectors on the market to choose from. They range in price from about $10 to over $200. They primarily differ in their design and their functionality. New designs by companies like Belkin offer surge protectors with functions like moveable or swivel outlet connections. This could definitely come in handy if your devices have oversized plugs.
Now that you know what to look for, there are a few do’s and don’ts in regards to using surge protectors. As readers David S. and W. Tisdale pointed out, improper use of a surge protector can shorten the life of your computer. With that said, do not use the power on/off switch on your surge protector to abruptly shutdown everything at once. This is not good for anything that is plugged into it, especially your computer.