How to choose the right surge protector for your home
A surge protector is an essential in any home’s electrical network, they are designed to protect your devices and appliances from surges and circuit shorting.
It’s best practice to look into buying surge protectors so you can prevent your switchboard from tripping and help protect your devices with an extra layer of security, if your switchboard is still having issues after an extra layer of protection, there are ways to diagnose the cause of the issue in this article before calling an electrician.
When looking into buying a surge protector, be sure to check out these factors first:
- Type of Surge Protector: There are 3 main types of surge protectors available, the plug-in surge protectors you can plug into the wall for all your devices, whole-house surge protectors connecting to your switchboard directly, and portable surge protectors useful when travelling abroad. Each type is different and ideal for different situations, so it’s important to think about which suits you best.
- Joule Rating: The joule rating of a surge protector measures its ability to absorb power surges. The higher the joule rating, the better the surge protector can protect your devices from power surges.
- Clamping Voltage: The clamping voltage is the level at which the surge protector begins to divert excess voltage away from your devices. A lower clamping voltage means better protection for your devices.
- Number of Outlets: When choosing a surge protector, it’s important to consider how many outlets you need. Make sure the surge protector has enough outlets for all your devices.
- Warranty: Consider the warranty offered by the surge protector. A longer warranty means the manufacturer has more faith in their product’s longevity.
Make sure to plug all your devices safely and don’t chain surge protectors together, this could cause it to overload and malfunction. Make sure you look out for any damage to the surge protector such as charring, a buzzing noise, or smell anything burnt. If you experience any of these symptoms, take it back under warranty or replace entirely.
By choosing the right surge protector, you can help protect your devices from power surges and extensive damage, and ensure that they continue to function properly for as long as possible.
In summary, choosing a good surge protector for your home is an important part of protecting your electrical devices from surges and malfunction. Consider what type suits you best, its joule rating, clamping voltage, number of outlets, and warranty when choosing one, and use it correctly to ensure maximum protection for all your devices.