FAQs - Surge Protector Devices

Q. What is a Surge Protector Device (SPD)?

A. An SPD provides protection to electronic equipment and electrical appliances against undesirable voltage and current spikes and transients. An SPD may be used at all levels of electric power distribution. An SPD is designed to clamp voltage and current supplied to the electric device by blocking or shorting any harmful transients that exceed a defined threshold limit.

Q. How does a Surge Protector Device (SPD) work?

A. Sophisticated solid-state devices are usually used for voltage surge suppression. These devices, such as Metal Oxide Varistors, are voltage sensitive and switch from high impedance to low impedance when faced with an over voltage situation.

Q. What is a Surge Protection Device warranty?

A. Some manufacturer’s offer a limited warranty for a limited period, others offer a lifetime warranty and many offer no warranty. Not all surge protector warranties are the same. The warranty may cover the device itself and others may cover connected equipment.

Q. Is there difference between a Surge protection device with a warranty and a surge protection device with insurance.

A. You should examine the warranty or insurance information on your unit for exact details and research the implications before you buy. There certainly are differences and what is best for you is a personal decision. Some manufactures offer warranties on the device and insurance on connected equipment. The insurance often covers damage to connected equipment- appliances, furnaces, well pumps, TVs, etc. The insurance can cover losses of a few thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Click below for more information for surge protectors with a lifetime warranty and up to $150,000 of lifetime insurance for any connected components damaged by a power surge (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico only).

SURGE PROTECTOR STORE

Q. Are there different types of Surge Protector Devices (SPDs)?

A. There are three commonly used Types of SPDs.

Type 1 SPDs are usually installed at the service entrance at the main power panel and offer protection to electrical installations from indirect lightning strikes. They are designed to stop large power surges before they enter your home, These devices will NOT protect your TV, entertainment center, washer, dryer, garage door openers, etc.
Type 2 SPDs are installed at distribution switchboards and may provide main protection for low-voltage electrical installations. These devices will NOT protect your TV, entertainment center, washer, dryer, garage door openers, etc.
Type 3 SPDs are “point of use” surge protectors that stop a surge after it is already in your house. These devices are cord-connected, direct plug-in, receptacle type SPD’s, installed to protect your electronic equipment and electrical appliance. These devices are critical and DO protect your TV, entertainment center, washer, dryer, garage door openers, etc.

Q. Do Surge Protector Devices (SPDs) protect against direct lightning strikes?

A. A direct lightning strike is extremely powerful and too big for a surge protection to provide complete protection. Surge protection devices address indirect lightning strikes. Proper grounding and bonding of the electrical system as well as appropriate surge protection devices can prove effective in safeguarding sensitive equipment.

Q. What is the difference between power surges and power transients?

A. For all practical purposes power surges and power transients are synonymous terms. Power surges and power transients relate to current, voltage, or both that peak to values above tolerable levels and are typically short duration in time. These surges and transients can harm sensitive electronics and requires external devices, called surge protection devices, to remove these damaging perturbations from reaching sensitive appliances and electronics.

Q. Is it true that surge protectors will save money on my power bill?

A. A surge protector is not an energy saving device. A surge protector is designed to protect sensitive electronics and appliances by blocking surges in voltage and current. A surge protector will NOT save money on your power bill.

Q. If I already have current plugin devices, do I need surge protectors?

A. Plugin devices that you think are surge protectors may not be. All too often “power strips” are only multiple outlets and offer little if any protection from the damaging surges and transients that can harm your sensitive electronics. It is suggested you take an inventory of your plugin devices and be sure that they will if fact work. A way to identify surge protectors that work - click below.

Q. Do surge protectors have a useful life period or do they last forever?

A. Surge protectors do regrade in effectiveness over time and do have a useful life period. Over time a surge protector may simply cease to work as protection. On the other hand, a single surge could sacrifice the device and would need to be replaced.

Q. Do I need to be concerned about power surges?

A. A single power surge can wipe out your entertainment center, home equipment, and other sensitive electronics in an instant. Surge protectors can absorb and dissipate the power of a surge so that connected equipment is shielded from the surge.

Q. What is a Joule Rating?

A. A joule is a measurement of energy and indicates how much energy a device can absorb. The higher the number, the better the protection provided. The more expensive the items to be protected, the higher joule level recommended. Click below to review different surge protection devices with associated joule rating.

Find out joule ratings on typical surge protectors

Q. What's the difference between a Surge Protector and a Power Strip?

A. Often a power strip is simply an expansion of a single electrical outlet that provides several outlets. A power strip can look very much like a surge protector. Many homeowners purchase power strips or have them installed with their sensitive electronics plugged into them only to find out too late that they were not qualified surge protectors. Only qualified surge protectors safeguard your electronics from power surges and voltage fluctuations.

Q. Will I ever need to replace my surge protector?

A. Surge protection device do wear out and require replacement. Surge protectors experience unnoticeable power surges all the time and the electronic devices that protect you from instantaneous surges reach end of life. Many surge protectors use semiconductormaterial that "degrades" when exposed to a few large transients, or many small transients. When this happens, a surge protector’s indicator light will extinguish, or the power will be permanently disconnected to the surge protector outlets. Examine your “protected” light on your surge protector occasionally, especially when astorm causes your lights to blink or knocks out your power.

Q. How will I know if my surge protector is working?

A. Many surge protectors available today have a light indicator that show you when your devices are “protected”. Once the light no longer is on, your sensitive electronics are no longer protected from power surges and it is time to replace your surge protector.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector

UL 1449: Describes the materials and installation requirements for SPDs used for the protection of AC electrical circuits