Electronic machines are now an indispensable aspect of our life in the contemporary world. It is more than ever that we depend on technology through smartphones and laptops, home entertainment systems and cooking appliances.
As the dependence increases, the chances of being damaged by electrical issues like power surges and spikes also increase. The need to secure your precious gadgets is not only a necessity now, but it is also a must.
A surge protector is one of the most efficient methods of securing your electronic equipment. In this article we shall discuss what power surges and spikes are, their consequences on your devices and effective measures to protect your devices.
Learning about power surges and power spikes
A power burst is a short-lived burst of electrical voltage, lasting a few milliseconds. It may happen due to different reasons, like lightning strikes, faulty wiring, increased or decreased electricity demand and power failures. These surges are short-lived but can have severe effects on delicate electronic equipment.
Power spikes are the same as surges but are shorter in duration and more intense. Surges as well as spikes will cause overheating, component failure, and even destruction of your devices in the long run.
It is very important to note that there is no electronic gadget that is completely resistant to electrical shocks. Failure to protect yourself means that you may lose information, destroy equipment, or incur an expensive repair.
What is the Significance of Device Protection?
Each electronic device has a voltage rating which is used to determine the safe limit of such a device. Anything beyond this range, including momentarily, is dangerous to internal circuitry. An example is that a voltage burst can blow out your computer circuit or even ruin your television or playing machine.
In addition to the physical destruction, power surges may lead to loss of data. Consider the possibility of losing valuable work files, family albums or money because of a sudden electrical burst. This situation reveals the necessity of protecting the devices in any house or workspace. It is a little move that will help to avoid a big loss of money and stress.
Selecting the Appropriate Surge Protector
There are a few things that should direct you when buying a surge protector:
1. Joule Rating
The joule rating shows the quantity of energy that a surge protector can absorb before failing. A higher joule rating equates to more protection. A rating of 600 to 1000 joules should be used most often in home electronics, although high-end equipment can need 2000 joules or more.
2. Response Time
Response time is the measure of the speed with which the surge protector will respond to the increase in voltage. A quicker response is the guarantee that your devices are insured in a moment. A response time of less than one nanosecond is the best for finding surge protectors, but definitely not easy.
3. Number of Outlets
Take into consideration the number of devices you want to secure. Certain surge protectors have multiple outlets and even USB ports, which are more convenient to use in order to protect more devices simultaneously.
4. Indicator Lights
There are indicator lights that tell whether the surge protector is in the right operation or not. This capability can assist you to keep track of the security of your device and change the unit when it turns ineffective.
5. Equipment and warranty coverage
Most of the surge protectors have warranties and equipment cover. This coverage will ensure that when there is damage to your devices when they are connected to a working surge protector, the manufacturer will pay you. Never forget to look at the terms so as to know the level of protection.
More tips on protecting devices
Although a surge protector works wonders, there are more things that you can do to safeguard your electronics:
1. Unplug During Storms
One of the most hazardous causes of power surges is lightning strikes. Even high-quality surge protectors might fail to deal with a direct strike. The simplest but effective method to avoid damage is the unplugging of the devices in the storm.
2. Avoid Daisy-Chaining
Daisy-chaining of several surge protectors may overload the circuit and lower the protection. Always make sure to connect devices to one large surge protector only.
3. Install Whole-House Surge Protection
To protect the entire house, a whole-house surge protector is considered. It is installed at your electrical panel and protects all the devices that are attached to your wiring system at home. This solution is best suited for equipment of high value and offers additional protection against external surges.
4. Test Your Surge Protectors
Surge suppressors lose their efficiency with time. Periodically inspect indicator lights and replace them when they are found to have absorbed many surges or when their lights indicate they are worn. This security makes sure that the devices are protected.
5. Ship Sensitive Equipment with UPS
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) also includes surge protection as well as battery backup in case the power is cut off. Specifically, it helps to protect the computers, servers, and other important devices, avoiding the loss of data and damages to hardware.
The Cost of Not Using a Surge Protector
The financial and emotional cost of damaged electronics can be significant. A single power surge can fry a laptop motherboard, ruin a television, or destroy gaming consoles. Replacing these devices is often much more expensive than investing in a surge protector.
Beyond financial loss, there is the inconvenience of downtime, data recovery, and the stress of lost files. Considering the affordability of surge protectors, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Visit Terabyte Electronics now to explore our range of surge protectors and take the first step towards complete device protection.