What is the difference between a power cord and a surge protector?

The Short Answer: Power Strips vs.

A power strip gives you the ability to plug multiple devices into a single wall outlet. A surge protector is a type of power strip which is specifically designed to withstand a power surge and keep your electronics safe.

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

Extension cords are crucial when you need to stretch an appliance from one location to a distant electrical outlet, while surge protectors help keep your equipment safe.

Is there a difference between a surge protector and a power strip?

Power strips offer convenience, but not much protection. They might feature a circuit breaker, which usually also acts as a master ON/OFF switch. A surge protector can look much like a power strip, but it adds a true element of protection. It's what stands in the way of a power surge or spike and your laptop.

Are all power cords surge protectors?

Surge protectors often look just like power strips, but not all power strips are surge protectors. Only surge protections actually help protect your gadgets against power surges. Many power strips are just glorified extension cords without any protection.

How do I know if my extension cord is a surge protector?

How can you tell the difference? Surge protectors will have a rating in Joules of energy showing the maximum voltage it can handle from a power spike. You can find those numbers on the box or strip itself. If there are no numbers listed, it is just a power strip.

Power Strip vs Surge Protector - QICENT 6 Outlet Surge Protector Review

What should not be plugged into a surge protector?

Can you use extension cord with surge protector?

Can You Plug a Surge Protector Into an Extension Cord? On paper, yes, you can. The biggest thing is making sure the extension cord can handle the same amount of load as the surge protector (or more).

What is the advantage of a surge protector over a power strip?

Power strips add extra outlets to your space. Surge protectors act as power strips except they also protect your electronic devices from power surges. While power strips do not come with surge protectors, you can find surge protectors with multiple outlets.

What appliances need surge protectors?

But bigger or more important items, as well as appliances that require constant power, such as computers, printers, televisions, and refrigerators, should all use surge protectors. Any device that you don't want to lose in the event of a power surge, or that would be expensive to replace, should be protected.

Should a TV be plugged into a surge protector?

Do you have your PC, television, or other expensive electronics plugged directly into a power outlet? You shouldn't. You should plug your gadgets into a surge protector, which isn't necessarily the same thing as a power strip.

Do surge protectors really do anything?

Surge protectors offer protection in units called joules. Generally, the more joules the better, as this means the device can handle one large surge, or multiple smaller surges, before your gear is in danger. Over time, the parts inside the protector wear down, reducing its effectiveness.

Why do you need a surge protector?

Today's modern appliances and electronic devices are much more sensitive than they used to be, and any electronic device plugged into a power outlet is susceptible to severe damage. That is why to protect electronics from power surges and spikes; it's necessary to use a surge protector.

Is a power strip safer than an extension cord?

In fact, plugging multiple power strips together, which is known as “daisy-chaining,” is the quickest way to overload your electrical system—and it's also dangerous and violates most fire safety codes. For the same reason, avoid the use of extension cords with power strips.

Should a refrigerator be plugged into a surge protector?

We do not recommend connecting a refrigerator or freezer to a surge protector. The reason we do not recommend this is explained below: The compressor is sensitive to temperature and current overloads and will shut itself down with a power surge.

Should a microwave be plugged into a surge protector?

Rule two: never plug high power capacity appliances, like space heaters, refrigerators, or microwave and toaster ovens into power strips or extension cords. These appliances have higher power capacity and need to be plugged into a wall outlet directly. Rule number three: always plug power strips directly into the wall.

Should appliances be plugged into surge protectors?

Never use power strips or surge protectors for high-power capacity items such as, space heaters, dehumidifiers, or other high capacity appliances. Plug them directly into a wall outlet.

Does Smart TV need surge protector?

You don't need a surge protector for your desk lamp or your standing fan, but you do want a surge protector for expensive devices that have intricate microprocessors, like computers, televisions, stereo systems, and media centers. In short, anything electronic and expensive benefits from a surge protector.

How long does a surge protector last?

Yep, that's right: Surge protectors don't last forever. Most estimates put the average lifespan of a surge protector at three to five years. And if your home is subject to frequent brownouts or blackouts, you might want to replace your surge protectors as often as every two years.

How many things can you plug into a surge protector?

Generally power strips provide a maximum of six to eight outlets, yet when multiple strips are connected to one another the primary strip connected to the wall unit or building outlet has to supply more energy than it is rated for.

Do not charge your smartphone by plugging it on a power strip or extension cord?

Avoid charging your phone in power strip extension cord or multi-plug. As a precaution, it's always better not to charge your smartphone on those power strip extension cords. This is because if any device in one of the sockets in the cord is affected, it is sure to cause damage to your smartphone as well.

Can surge protectors catch fire?

Surge protectors can become a fire hazard themselves. The most common cause of fires from an extension cord, power strip, power tap, or surge protector is primarily due to improper use and overloading, especially when cords have multiple outlets such as power strip and surge protectors.

What can I use instead of an extension cord?

One of your best bets is an outlet tap, which plugs into and covers your existing outlet to add more receptacles. They are commonly available in three- and six-outlet configurations, and some even offer USB ports to charge your devices.

Does my house need a surge protector?

At a minimum, power surges damage home electronics, appliances and wired services like security systems. Without proper surge protection, a voltage spike can even start a fire. Reduce this hazard with whole house surge protector installation.

What kind of surge protector do I need?

Choose a surge protector with a joule rating at the very least in the 200 to 400 range. Sensitive or costly equipment, such as computers, displays and audio/video equipment, warrants a joule rating of at least 1000. A joule rating over 2000 indicates maximum protection.

Do laptops need surge protectors?

Using surge protectors is highly recommended for your laptop. A power surge could easily damage your laptop because it's filled with voltage-sensitive parts. Laptops aren't designed to withstand violent power surges. Although they may survive for a while, a surge protector will extend their lifespan.