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Episode 12: Summer Surge Protection

Episode Air Date: May 8, 2009

Episode Summary

Summer is almost here, and with that comes spring and summer thunderstorms: rain, wind and LIGHTNING. This week our Über Tech talks about Surge Protection and how to Protect your computer from surges, spikes and electrical failures.

Definitions and Terminology

Before we dive in, let's first define some of the things we're talking about today to provide a little clarity.

Transient Voltage (Power Surge)
an increase in voltage significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity. In normal household and office wiring in the United States, the standard voltage is 120 volts. If the voltage rises above 120 volts, there is a problem, and a surge protector helps to prevent that problem from destroying your computer.
Surge
a brief increase in voltage lasting three nanoseconds (billionths of a second) or more.
Spike
a brief increase in voltage lasting less than three nanoseconds.
Surge Protector/Suppressor
a power strip with surge protection is designed to protect the connected electronics equipment from surges in electrical power.

Source: HowStuffWorks.com "How Surge Protectors Work".


All About Surge Protection

Home lightning strike

Every time there is a storm in the area, we at IDEaS Computers see at least a handful of computers come in for power surge and electrical-related failures. So with the summer coming and storms already hitting, we think this is a heavy-hitting topic to touch on this week's TechDish episode. Hopefully you can take home some new knowledge about protecting your computer (and other electrical) equipment, and learn from it!

Don't get caught unguarded

Do you have surge protection? Take some time to look at what you plug your computer equipment in to. Is it plugged directly into a wall outlet? Is it plugged into a power strip without surge protection? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, you're in trouble.

Power Strip vs. Surge Protection

How do I know if my power strip has surge protection?

If your power strip has a reset button, it most likely has at least some level of surge protection. That reset button acts as a "mini circuit breaker" that will trip if a surge or spike hits the unit. More advanced models will have a ground fault indicator light (usually red) and a "protected" indicator light (usually green). If you've got all that on your power strip, then it has surge protection built in.

What can a Surge Protector protect me from?

Well, surges—DUH. But seriously, surge protectors are designed to protect against any and all of the following electrical scenarios:

  • Bad or faulty wiring in your home/office
  • Blown fuse or tripped breaker
  • Power outages (residential, urban & rural)

Dispelling a Myth: When Lightning Strikes

Myth: a surge protector will protect me from a lightning strike

Truth: in a direct lightning strike, anything plugged in to an electrical outlet can (and probably will) fry.

Can I Ever Be 100% Safe?

Yes you can! If you know a storm is coming, or are home when one hits, simply shut down and unplug your equipment from the wall. This works off our "IF itsPluggedIn, AND lightningStrikes; THEN yourScrewed" theory.


I want to Purchase a Surge Protector

What do I need to Look For?

  • Length of Power Cord
    Because sometimes you need more distance. Surge protectors come with power cords of various lenghts; anywhere from 2' to 25'.
  • How Many Outlets?
    Decide how many outlets you'll need, based on the number of devices you want to plug in.
  • Child Safety Outlets
    If you've got little kids around, you'll appreciate this.
  • Wiring/Ground Fault Indicator
    Very handy to have, so you know that your surge protector is plugged in to a properly grounded outlet.
  • Warranty of Connected Equipment
    A good surge protector will have an Equipment Protection Warranty, that covers your equipment in the event of say, a lightning strike.

TechDish Recommended

APC® Surge Protectors and UPS

APC: Legendary Reliability logo

TechDish Hot Tip

TechDish Hot Tip

REGISTER your Product!

We cannot emphasize this enough. If your surge protector comes with a connected equipment protection warranty, this warranty is only valid if you register your purchase with the manufacturer.

If you do not register your product, they will not be able to help you.

Each product's warranty terms are different—be sure to read the owner's manual that came with your specific product for the full details on warranty coverage.