What is the difference between a surge protector and a power strip?
A power strip only adds outlets and offers no protection against voltage spikes, while a surge protector contains parts that absorb or divert extra voltage. A real surge protector lists a protection rating and has an indicator light showing whether the protection is still working.
Check the label and the packaging. A genuine surge protector shows a protection rating and a listing mark from a recognized testing lab, and it usually has a status light. A strip with only a switch and a cord is just an extension of your outlet.
Surge strips also wear out. Each surge uses up some of the protection, and when it is gone the strip may keep passing power normally, which is why the indicator matters. Replace any unit whose light is off or that has been through a major storm.
Where do power surges come from?
Power surges come from outside and inside the home. Outside sources include lightning, utility switching and storm damage to power lines. Inside sources include large motors cycling on and off, like an air conditioner compressor or a pool pump, which cause small surges throughout the day.
In the West Valley, monsoon season brings lightning, dust storms and outages followed by power returning in a rough surge. Many homeowners lose electronics or AC control boards right after a storm, even without a direct lightning strike on the house.
The small internal surges are quieter but they add up. Over time they can shorten the life of sensitive circuit boards in appliances, thermostats and HVAC equipment. That is one reason people protect the whole home and not just the television.
Do I need a whole house surge protector or a plug in one?
Most homes benefit from both. A whole house unit at the panel handles large incoming surges and protects hardwired equipment such as the AC and appliances, while plug in protectors add a second layer for sensitive electronics like computers and televisions right at the device.
Think in layers. The panel unit knocks down the big spike coming in from the utility, and the point of use strip catches what is left over plus whatever the house itself generates. Neither one fully replaces the other.
Whole house units are installed by a licensed electrician because they connect inside the panel. Do not open the panel to look. Electrical panels stay live even with the main breaker off, so installation is not a homeowner job.
How do I know if my surge protector has stopped working?
Check the indicator light on the unit. Most surge protectors have a light or display showing the protection is active, and when it goes out or changes color, the protection is used up. A unit that feels hot, smells burnt or looks discolored should be unplugged and replaced.
Whole house units also have indicator lights, often on the front of the device at the panel. If a light is out, do not open the panel to investigate. Call a licensed electrician to check the unit and the panel it is connected to.
After a nearby lightning strike or a big outage, check every protector you own. They may still pass power but no longer protect anything. Replacing a worn protector is a small step compared with replacing the equipment it was guarding.
More questions: Surge Protection: 12 Most Asked Questions Answered