Surge protection is a device that protects your electrical devices from the sudden increase in voltage and current that can occur from power spikes and surges. These are caused by lightning strikes, utility company issues, and other external factors that can damage or even destroy your electrical equipment.
They can be found in home electrical outlets and also at your power panel, which is outside the house. They are designed to protect from voltage surges and re-direct excess current to ground.
The most common type of surge protectors are called transient commercial electrical work surge arresters or TAs. These use inductors to block or short-circuited voltage, as well as metal-oxide varistors (MOVs).
MOVs are made of a variety of materials including aluminum and copper. They are sensitive to voltage changes and start to conduct current when the threshold voltage is reached.
Most modern TAs also have circuit breakers and temperature fuses to prevent serious consequences. They also have indicator lights to indicate if the MOVs are still working.
If your TA has been in the home for some time and is showing signs of overheating or melting, it may be time to replace it. These can be expensive and should be replaced as soon as possible so you don’t risk the safety of your electronics.
A surge protector’s joule rating indicates how much energy it can absorb before it fails. The higher the number, the better it is at absorbing surges and protecting your electrical devices from power spikes.
Typical joule ratings for a surge protector are 1,000 Joules for smaller appliances and 2,000-3,000 Joules for larger electronics such as computers, printers and copiers. The amount of joules needed to protect your equipment will depend on the value of the appliances you are protecting, as well as your location and how frequently lightning occurs in your area.
In addition to preventing damage from power surges, surge protectors can also help to keep your house safe from line noise that can cause audio static and video snow. This is typically caused by running other equipment on the same electrical system.
They can be found in industrial applications as well. These are sometimes referred to as SPDs or TVSSs and are designed to protect heavy-duty industrial systems such as communication structures, control systems and industries from dangerous spikes of electricity.
Standalone SPDs and TVSSs are available from leading brands such as Schneider Electric. They are often installed in industrial electrical panels and can be found on extension leads as well.
Many residential electrical outlets use a three-way socket design. These have line, neutral and ground wires. Some surge protectors connect all three in pairs.
During a power surge, the spikes on your wiring can reach extremely high levels of voltage and current, causing permanent damage to your electronic equipment. This is why surge protectors are so important for your home, as they protect your devices from these damaging conditions and prevent costly damages to your equipment.