by Dave Donovan
Today’s electrical appliances, stereo equipment and computer systems are much more important to our daily lives than we’d like to imagine. Our computers are our link to the world around us. They have become a center-point in the daily lives of many families. Think about it, what would you do if your computer burned up? Could you afford to replace it on a moment’s notice, and what about all the valuable data stored on it? Could you easily replace the Plasma screen television you bought for the holidays? You may want to consider protecting your valuable electronics with a proper surge protector.
What is a surge protector? A surge protector is your first line of defense against voltage surges or spikes in your home or office’s electrical system. Typically, a “surge” is when the voltage in your home increases slightly and lasts for about three nanoseconds. A “spike” is a voltage increase that lasts for one to two nanoseconds. Either one can have a devastating effect on your delicate electronics if they are unprotected.
Surge protectors come in many sizes, shapes and variations. Sometimes called a “power strip”, most homeowners know them for being able to extend the number of outlets available on a given wall outlet, like a more convenient extension cord. Unbeknownst to most homeowners, that so-called “power strip” can be a money saver if it’s ever called upon to do its job.
There are a few different types of surge protectors available. Some surge protectors use a metal oxide varistor to channel the excess voltage to the built-in semiconductors. It works like this—the metal oxide varistor (MOV) is connected to the hot line, the semiconductors are connected to the MOV and the ground line is connected to the semiconductors. When there is a surge or spike, the MOV is activated and sends the excess voltage to the semiconductors, which creates a very high resistance and then sends the voltage to ground, removing it from the line. When the voltage returns to normal, the MOV returns to its dormant state.
Other surge protectors actually use gases to divert the voltage. There are glass tubes inside the protector that are filled with inert gas. The proper name for the tube is a “gas discharge arrestor”. The tubes are connected between the hot and the ground lines. As long as the voltage is normal, the gas stays inert and doesn’t get involved. Once the voltage increases, the gas becomes ionized and creates a pathway for the excess voltage to be sent to ground. When the voltage returns to normal, the gas becomes inert once again.
Most modern surge protectors include a built-in fuse as a fail-safe. When the voltage surge lasts longer than it should, the fuse will give way under the pressure and break the connection before the voltage can do any damage to your equipment. Many surge protectors also come with built-in circuit protection as well, sort of a circuit breaker before the electrical panel’s breakers. There is a button located on the protector, that when the amperage increases above its rating, will trip out and cut the electricity to the surge protector. If the circuit protection trips, you may have a piece of equipment going bad or you may simply have too many components plugged into the protector, thus overloading the circuit. To reset the circuit you just need to press the button, or hit the switch on the protector.
What causes voltage spikes and surges? It could be the result of a wide number of factors. Lightning is a potential cause when it strikes near a power line, although it is one of the more rare instances. More than likely, it could be the result of appliances located right inside your home or office. Anything that uses a motor or a compressor could be at fault. When appliances with either of those two components kick on, it can cause an initial disruption in the electrical flow throughout your home.
The electrical delivery system itself could also be the one to blame. With miles and miles of wires, transformers and other components, any one of the parts could go bad at any time, resulting in fluctuations in voltages. No doubt you’ve experienced “brown-outs” in the summer time, where the voltage drops to a level where the lights in your home dim but never really turn off. It works the same way on the other end when sometimes too much voltage gets through.
Voltage surges are not uncommon and are unavoidable, so your best bet is to protect your expensive electronics with the best surge protector you can buy. It’s important to know that surges can occur on not only electrical lines but on coaxial cable and telephone lines as well. Many of the more advanced surge protectors include cable and phone protection along side the electrical protection.
You’ve already spent a lot of money and time creating your ideal entertainment center or home office. When shopping for a surge protector, don’t just pick one up because the price is irresistible. Many companies put out poorly made protectors that will protect against only the weakest of surges. Do some research, check for product reviews or ask the experts in your favorite audio/visual store. Make sure that the protector is UL listed, and try to find one that has an indicator light on it. When it’s lit, it’s telling you that it’s working. You probably did a lot of research before purchasing any of those components. Don’t cut corners here either. Paying a little more for a quality surge protector could save you from paying a ton for replaced electronics.
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