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Power Up Safely: Basic Guidelines for Using a Surge Protector
What causes power surges?
When it comes to power surges and spikes, most people think of common external sources like nearby lightning, a downed power line or fluctuations originating at your utility provider. The majority of surges (slow buildup of voltage) and spikes (very rapid buildup of voltage) actually come from inside your home or office, such as when a large appliance turns back on after a power outage. When a surge or spike reaches something containing a microprocessor, like a TV or computer, the damage can be immediate and catastrophic. A simple and relatively inexpensive solution is to plug sensitive electronics into a quality surge protector.
Learn the important guidelines that should be followed to get the optimal performance from your surge protection device.
Dos and Don'ts – Your Surge Protector Is Your Devices’ Best Friend
A surge protector can expand the number of outlets you have available – to a point. Many surge protectors have built-in circuit breakers that will trip if the current draw of equipment plugged into it exceeds the capacity of the surge protector. In the absence of a circuit breaker, an overloaded surge protector could overheat, so a built-in circuit breaker is an important feature to look for.
Amperage is a measure of the flow of electric current through a circuit. The outlets in most homes have a 15-amp capacity, while offices usually have outlets that are 15- or 20-amp capacity. For safety reasons, most surge protectors have a maximum capacity of 15 amps or less. Be aware of the total amperage you have plugged into your surge protector. Staying 20% below the maximun amperage listed on the surge protector will help prevent the breaker from tripping. In other words, that would be no more than 12A total on a 15A-rated surge protector.
Don't: Let it feel the heat
Like any electrical equipment, don’t let excessive heat build up around your surge protector. Use it only in a well-ventilated area to allow heat to dissipate properly. Keep it away from space heaters and other heat-generating appliances. And it’s probably best not to use your surge protector as a footrest during all-night gaming sessions.
Heat-generating appliances like toasters, coffee makers, microwave ovens, space heaters, hair dryers and curling irons often pull more current than other small appliances. As mentioned above, be aware of the amperage. A good practice is to dedicate a surge protector solely to the heat-generating item.
Obviously, you want to keep your surge protector (or any electrical device!) away from spray, spills and splashes. If you’re going to use one near a bathroom or kitchen sink, ensure the outlet has a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). This special type of outlet automatically shuts off power if moisture enters the circuit. In a basement, make sure the surge protector is not in the path of potential seepage or flooding.
Plugging one surge protector into another – known as daisy-chaining – is an unsafe practice, both for you and for your electronics. Doing so can damage your devices and overload the circuit, creating the potential for power surges, sparks and even fires. It will also void the warranty.
Although it may sound enticing to do, plugging a surge protector into a UPS is like wearing two pairs of pants. A UPS is designed to provide temporary power in case of an outage and typically includes surge protection capabilities. Therefore, plugging a surge protector into a UPS is not only redundant but could also potentially damage the UPS and connected devices, void the warranty and cause power quality issues.
If you want to unplug your surge protector, it might be tempting to grab the section of the cord closest to you and give it a good yank. No, just no. Get out of that chair, go over to the plug and pull it gently from the outlet by the plug’s housing.
While we’re on the subject of cord care, don’t crimp it, put furniture on top of it or run it under carpeting. This is excellent advice for any type of electrical cord, not just a surge protector. If the cord or the surge protector’s housing ever becomes discolored, cracked, melted or otherwise damaged, unplug the surge protector immediately and replace it as soon as possible.
If it’s doing its job, your surge protector will stop working some day. That’s because repeated surges and spikes, even small ones, will eventually cause a surge protector to lose its capacity to protect. If the surge protector’s automatic shutoff feature permanently cuts power to the outlets or the “Protected” LED fails to illuminate, it’s time to replace your surge protector. If it’s a model from Eaton’s Tripp Lite series, it is replaceable under its limited lifetime warranty.
There’s no magic number for how many years a surge protector will last. The lifespan is subject to too many variables, including the frequency of and size of surges in your area and the joule rating of your model. The joule rating indicates how much energy can be absorbed by the surge protector before it fails. The best way to know when your surge protector needs to be replaced is to buy a model with one or more diagnostic LEDs. An illuminated “Protected” LED will assure you the surge protector is functioning properly.
Your TV, PC , printer, audio components, gaming equipment and major appliances are all expensive investments. Protecting them all with an additional small investment of a good surge protector will ensure longer equipment life and your peace of mind that in the event of surges and spikes from any source, your investment is protected.
Following these guidelines for surge protector use will help safeguard your electronic devices, as well as your home or business. Your electronics will stay safe from surges, spikes and line noise, and your surge protector will not fail prematurely, trip its circuit breaker or overheat, creating a potential hazard. Remember, not all surge protectors are created equal. With the highest UL-verified surge suppression ratings in their class, Eaton Tripp Lite series surge protectors are your best defense against AC voltage surges and spikes that can ruin your valuable equipment.
