5 Things You Should Know About Surge Protectors And Why You Need Them

Sep 30, 2021 | Uncategorized

Number 3 will shock you!Electrical surge protectors are one of the most overlooked and undervalued components of any electronic setup. Whether it’s your computer, tv, smart home devices, or even your kitchen appliances, you need surge protectors. We’re going to count down the top 5 reasons to switch to surge protectors today; some of them may even surprise you! #5 It’s the cheapest form of electronics insurance you can get.Surge protectors are a cheap form of insurance against electrical surges. For about $20 you can protect your expensive computer, devices, and appliances. We have seen numerous cases where a good surge protector has saved expensive computers and networking equipment from damage and needing to be replaced. This includes an electrical storm, an electrical issue, and even the power company’s mistake! #4 It can be a powerful tool for cable cord management.Hate those unsightly cables all over your floor or desk? Securing a surge protector to the bottom of your desk, the back of a wiring rack or even behind a bookshelf can reduce cable clutter and make your office instantly look neater. Most surge protectors have slots on the back that slide over mounting screws, which makes it fast and easy to mount them out of sight. #3 Surge Protectors can help extend the life of your electronics.Whether it’s your computer or blue-ray player, there are sensitive components in your electronics. Over time minor surges or spikes in your power can degrade these components and leave them more prone to failure. By adding a surge protector, you cut out these micro surges giving your electronics a much more stable supply of power. #2 Not all Surge Protectors are created equal.You may wonder, “Is there really a difference between the $5 surge protector and the one for $20?” The answer is: most likely. To explain why you need to know that surge protectors are rated by joules. A joule is a unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter. – Merriam-WebsterOne joule is the equivalent of one watt of power radiated or dissipated for one second.WhatisThe joule rating on a surge protector tells you how much energy they can protect against. How many joules does it take to protect your devices? More than you might think.Generally speaking, the more joules, the better. We recommend getting a surge protector in the 1,200- 2,000-joule range. You definitely need a surge protector that offers adequate protection for your electronics. #1 They need to be replaced.Surge protectors degrade over time. The rule of thumb we tend to follow is: replace surge protectors approximately every three years or after any significant event such as a lightning strike. If you discover even one port on a surge protector stops working, you should also replace all of your surge protectors in your building. That’s because a port not working indicates a power surge occurred, which means the other surge protectors in your building likely experienced the same surge and are no longer able to protect your electronics effectively.ConclusionSurge protectors are really the unsung heroes in your office. They are inexpensive (compared to replacing your computer) and sold everywhere. They are a smart investment and offer one of the biggest bangs for your bucks when it comes to protecting your electric assets. Schedule an IT assessment today to get recommendations for protecting your business assets based on your office environment, equipment, and needs.Sources: Joule https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joulehttps://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/joule