What makes a good surge suppressor?

What makes a good surge suppressor?

Choose a surge protector with a joule rating at the very least in the 200 to 400 range. Sensitive or costly equipment, such as computers, displays and audio/video equipment, warrants a joule rating of at least 1000. A joule rating over 2000 indicates maximum protection.

What is a surge protector made of?

The most common surge protection used in the surge protectors is a metal oxide varistor or MOV. A MOV is made of a special material called a semiconductor. Semiconductors only conduct electricity under certain special conditions.

Are surge suppressors worth it?

At a minimum, power surges damage home electronics, appliances and wired services like security systems. Without proper surge protection, a voltage spike can even start a fire. Reduce this hazard with whole house surge protector installation.

Is a surge suppressor the same as a surge protector?

A surge suppressor (sometimes optimistically called a “surge protector”) is a device inserted in the alternating current ( AC ) utility line and/or telephone line to prevent damage to electronic equipment from voltage “spikes” called transients.

Is 300 joules surge protection enough?

A higher number indicates greater protection. Look for a protector that is at least rated at 200 to 400 joules. For better protection, look for a rating of 600 joules or more. Response time: Surge protectors don’t kick in immediately; there is a very slight delay as they respond to the power surge.

How many joules do you need to protect a TV?

Recommendations. Electronic accessories manufacturer Belkin recommends its 1,411 joule model for most TV sets, or its 2,444 joule unit for projection televisions. ReviewSurgeProtector.com similarly advocates a minimum level of 1,500 joules for TVs.

How do you prevent voltage spikes?

How Do I Prevent Power Surges?

1. Inspect your wiring. Faulty or substandard wiring can make power surge problems worse.
2. Unplug electronics during a storm.
3. Use surge protectors.
4. Install a whole-home surge processor.
5. Install high-efficiency AC units.