What is a surge protector, what is it for and where it is applied?

Any piece of electrical equipment needs protection from disturbances in the electrical network: power surges, overloading and other negative influences. For this purpose, a huge number of automatic protection devices and equipment have been created. Some of them are technically complex and expensive, while others are affordable and simple. One such simple device is a surge protector.

What is a surge protector for and what does it protect you from?

surge protector - is an electrical device designed to connect a variety of household equipment and can protect it from the negative effects of power surges.

Electrical networks of any purpose are not ideal in terms of the quality of power transmitted. Uneven load on the electrical network, accidents and various factors can cause voltage fluctuations in the network, which in turn can lead to malfunction or failure of household appliances.

To protect household devices from sudden voltage spikes above the nominal voltage use surge protectors. Also such devices are used to reduce the influence of radio and electromagnetic on the operation of household appliances (For example, it is noticeable in acoustic and television, video equipment).

How it works

The principle of operation of surge protectors is quite simple and consists of filtering interference and limiting voltage.

Protection against radio and electromagnetic noise is achieved via inductive elements (toroidal inductance coils) and capacitors which help to lower the high-frequency components to a normal frequency of 50 Hz. This is due to the fact that the resistance of an inductor increases with increasing frequency, while that of a capacitor decreases.

Voltage limitation is done with a metal-oxide varistor, which drains the extra voltage by forming a connection between the phase and the grounding conductor. If the voltage is below a certain value (is equal to or lower than the nominal), the varistor creates a significant resistance, and if the voltage exceeds the nominal voltage, this electronic component, on the contrary, reduces the resistance. The basic overvoltage protection is in the form of a fuse and/or a bimetal fuse.

What does it consist of and how does it work?

Externally, the surge protector looks like a standard extension cord with different lengths of cable and several sockets for connecting household appliances. But the internal circuitry is fundamentally different from ordinary household extension cords. Inside the surge protector, in addition to the pads, there is a protective circuit and a fuse. Also the surge protector has a power button.

Expensive and well-made surge protectors have a battery of capacitors and several chokes and additional protection systems, but inexpensive devices (often made in China) are devoid of such components, but they still contain varistor.

Variety of surge protectors

Line filters, like any appliances, are available in huge quantities and have different characteristics and appearance. There are basic, advanced and professional options.

Basic surge protectors are affordable devices and are often used to connect unpretentious home appliances. They have a very simple design, protect against voltage fluctuations, but may not protect against interference.

Advanced devices are used for all household appliances. They are made more complex than the basic versions, are of higher quality and are more reliable devices.

Professional filters are used for highly sensitive and expensive equipment. Such devices are made of very high quality, their circuitry is complex and reliable.

There are also various additions to the standard surge protector device, for example, the ability to control switching on and off devices remotely (using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). Also surge protectors can have any cable length and number of connection points in the outlet group from 1 to 10 pieces.

How to choose a surge protector for household appliances

Choosing a surge protector largely depends on the budget and the equipment that this filter should protect. It should be understood that the more sensitive the household appliance to voltage fluctuations, the more complex and expensive it is necessary to purchase a surge protector. It is also important to think about how many electrical devices this filter will be designed for: it affects the size of the socket group and the allowable load.

Some surge protectors may have an express purpose: for computers, speakers, washing machines or other equipment.

Additional features of surge protectors are: lightning protection, the presence of overheating sensors, USB ports, indication, as well as the possibility of "smart" control.

It is also best to buy devices from reputable manufacturers, as they have extensive experience in the production of such devices, as well as many service centers, certification and warranty.

Also, do not forget about what country you live in in order to buy or order in an online store surge protector with the type of outlets that apply in your area.

What is the difference between a surge protector and an extension cord

At first glance, it may seem that the extension cord and surge protector are exactly the same devices. Often people confuse them, counting on protection that an extension cord does not have. An extension cord is designed to connect devices and appliances away from fixed outlets without providing protection. Mains filters, on the other hand, perform all the functions of the extension cord, but also have a special chip that allows you to protect household equipment.

For very sensitive devices, surge protectors may not be suitable either, as they cut off power abruptly (the fuse snaps or melts). On the other hand voltage regulators can smoothly switch off or equalize the voltage without tripping, but these are more complex and expensive devices, allowing protection at several levels.

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