Taking an inventory of all the electronics in the office and conducting internet research is the best approach to determine what rating is appropriate for your needs. An electrician with experience in emergency situations can also be called for assistance.
It is not as simple as stating “put 8 on” or “4 should be fine” when it comes to deciding how many joules you need for your surge protector.
If you’re running a small business, you can get by with 6, but if you have a supercomputer, you may need 12.
This article will discuss what the various joule ratings of surge protectors actually represent. Protect your gadgets from harmful power spikes and surges with a surge protector. A surge protector is useful for any electronic gadget, including televisions.
Contents
Joules Rating in Surge Protectors
When using electronic gadgets that rely on AC mains electricity, a power surge suppressor can safeguard them from damaging voltage spikes.
Each time your electronics take a “blow” from something like a lightning strike or a transient, your rating for how many Joules they can absorb before failing decreases.
You probably don’t know what Joules are if you’ve never owned one before. Energy is measured in joules (or Watt-seconds), and 400 joules is about equivalent to leaving a vacuum cleaner on for one second.
Finding Surge Protector Ratings
If you look at the specifications of a surge protector, you should see at least two different ratings. Keep an eye out for:
- Clamping voltage: The results of a voltage test on a MOV will tell you how much power it can safely withstand. The three levels of clamping voltage recognized by UL are 330 V, 400 V, and 500 V, with lower values providing better protection. In general, you may be in danger if your clamping voltages are more than 400 volts.
- Energy absorption/dissipation: A surge protector’s rating should be high enough to prevent it from failing catastrophically. Maximum protection is provided by those with a rating of 600 joules or more; anything less can do extensive harm to your electrical equipment.
- Response time: In the event of a power surge, surge protectors don’t immediately activate; rather, there is a brief lag. When the response time is slow, it means that your computer or other device will be hit by the surge for a longer period of time. To be most effective against surges, you should get a protector with a reaction time of less than one nanosecond.
Look for a quality power protector that has an indication light to let you know if the protection features are still active.
After repeated electrical surges from storms or other sources of high voltage, all MOVs eventually fail. Although there will be no visible sign that your protectors aren’t doing their job, they will continue to act as normal surge protectors.
A surge protector with a warranty is a good option to consider purchasing. If the surge protector doesn’t prevent damage to your computer from a power surge or other electrical disturbance, the company will buy you a new computer.
Even if you risk losing everything on the hard drive and may have to pay more as a result, the manufacturer is obviously confident in their product.
It comes as a surprise to many that online communities have spent so much time debating the efficacy of this device.
Surge Protector Basics
Your electronics and home appliances will be safe from damage caused by a power surge if you use a surge protector. However, if you choose the wrong choice, you will be out the entire purchase price.
Many people believe that any inexpensive surge protector will do the job, as they are all essentially built the same way and there is no real reason to spend more money on a more expensive brand.
In reality, nothing will happen unless you invest in a pricey unit designed to handle high-level surges, or even more pricey ones with greater joule ratings that are effective on appliances like computers, microwaves, televisions, etc.
Clamping Voltage
The amount of energy required to trigger your surge protector is called its “clamping voltage.” With a lower value, you’ll be more shielded from innocuous electrical spikes.
Imagine a product with a low joule rating and a high clamping voltage (energy). If their system or any external systems that are designed to safeguard them, like circuit breakers, are inadequate, then these devices may be harmed even by a moderate power surge.
Joules
Your surge protector’s ability to dissipate and block energy is indicated by its joule rating. However, this raises the question: what does it all mean?
What is meant by “input” is the power taken in by the device during a voltage spike or change, such as when lightning strikes nearby.
When the rating of the protection is higher, it can withstand these surges for longer periods of time before giving up. Lower ratings, on the other hand, will fail after experiencing relatively minor incidents.
Surge Protector Joules Needed
If you have a surge protector and it helps you out during a blackout, that’s great, but how do you know which ones are the best? Different devices have different energy requirements, measured in joules.
For smaller items like phone chargers and laptop battery packs, a few hundred should be sufficient. However, additional safeguards are warranted when a freshly unboxed laptop is plugged into an electrical socket for the first time.
500 to 1,000 Joules
Surge protectors with a joule rating of less than one thousand are highly recommended. These smaller gadgets are ideal for those who wish to use them with minimal fuss, as they are easy to conceal under a variety of household things, from a home office desk to kitchen counters.
Investing in a surge protector with a low joule rating will save the most money. This device could work for you if you are low on funds and have limited access to mobile technology.
1,000 to 2,000 Joules
Precautions must always be taken when working with electricity.
Small electronics and other office equipment will be safe with a surge protector of this rating. A surge protector rated between one thousand and two thousand joules is adequate for safeguarding electronic devices like mobile phones and printers against power surges that may enter your building. Be prepared for any emergency by beginning with your own household!
2,000 to 3,000 Joules
Who among us doesn’t remember the night they were immersed in their favorite video game when the power suddenly went out?
This is what can happen if you don’t take precautions against power surges.
This case offers over 2,000 joules of protection, making it ideal for protecting pricey electronics like video game consoles or laptops housing private information like tax returns or client lists.
Is High-End Surge Protection Necessary?
As home products rise in number and value, more individuals protect them.
According to Credence Research, the surge protection market will be worth $3 billion by 2022. Consumers with expensive goods like TVs or PCs at home should consider whole house surge protector systems to protect their houses from power surges and electrical fires.
Surge Protector Reviews reviews internet brands so you can choose the best one for you.
If you’ve spent thousands on gadgets and kitchen appliances, you’ll want a surge suppressor with enough joules. This protects your valuables.
Conclusion
Every piece of electrical equipment, including the TV, can benefit from using a surge protector. Joules, also known as Watt-seconds, are a unit of energy measurement; to use up 400 joules is roughly the same as leaving a vacuum cleaner running for one second. Those with a Joule rating of 600 or more offer the greatest degree of safety. Try to get a power strip with a status light to let you know if the safeguards are still functioning. A surge protector covered by a warranty is a fantastic choice to make.
If your computer is damaged despite using a surge protector, the business will replace it at no cost to you. We advise using surge protectors with a joule rating of less than 1000. Protecting electronics requires a surge protector with a rating of at least 1000 joules, and preferably 2000 joules. By 2022, surge protection is expected to be a $3 billion industry, according to Credence Research.
Content Summary
- Taking an inventory of all the electronics in the office and conducting internet research is the best approach to determine what rating is appropriate for your needs.
- It is not as simple as stating “put 8 on” or “4 should be fine” when it comes to deciding how many joules you need for your surge protector.
- This article will discuss what the various joule ratings of surge protectors actually represent.
- Protect your gadgets from harmful power spikes and surges with a surge protector.
- Each time your electronics take a “blow” from something like a lightning strike or a transient, your rating for how many Joules they can absorb before failing decreases.
- If you look at the specifications of a surge protector, you should see at least two different ratings.
- Energy absorption/dissipation: A surge protector’s rating should be high enough to prevent it from failing catastrophically.
- Response time: In the event of a power surge, surge protectors don’t immediately activate; rather, there is a brief lag.
- Look for a quality power protector that has an indication light to let you know if the protection features are still active.
- A surge protector with a warranty is a good option to consider purchasing.
- If the surge protector doesn’t prevent damage to your computer from a power surge or other electrical disturbance, the company will buy you a new computer.
- Your electronics and home appliances will be safe from damage caused by a power surge if you use a surge protector.
- The amount of energy required to trigger your surge protector is called its “clamping voltage.”
- Imagine a product with a low joule rating and a high clamping voltage (energy).
- Your surge protector’s ability to dissipate and block energy is indicated by its joule rating.
- If you have a surge protector and it helps you out during a blackout, that’s great, but how do you know which ones are the best?
- Surge protectors with a joule rating of less than one thousand are highly recommended.
- Investing in a surge protector with a low joule rating will save the most money.
- Small electronics and other office equipment will be safe with a surge protector of this rating.
- A surge protector rated between one thousand and two thousand joules is adequate for safeguarding electronic devices like mobile phones and printers against power surges that may enter your building.
- Be prepared for any emergency by beginning with your own household!
