What is the difference between a surge protector and a 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.

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.

What is the 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.

Is a power strip better than an extension cord?

However, the main difference between the two lies in the purpose: If you want to multiply the number of electrical outlets from a single source, use a power strip. If you want to stretch out a power source towards a distant appliance, use an extension cord.

Do I need a surge protector or power strip?

The difference between a power strip and a surge protector is that a power strip adds extra outlet space while a surge protector defends against possible voltage spikes that could damage your electronics, appliances, or equipment.

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

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.

What should you not plug into a surge protector?

Is it OK to plug an extension cord into a 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 appliances need surge protectors?

The devices and appliances you want to make sure you plug in, are the expensive ones with microprocessors into your surge protector. This includes TVs, refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, AC units, PCs, laptops, game systems, and phones.

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.

Are power strips safer than extension cords?

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.

Do you really 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.

How many devices can I 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.

Is turning off a power strip the same as unplugging it?

Answer. When you turn off a surge protector -- or suppressor, as some people call them -- it's virtually the same as unplugging it; it will save a small amount of energy and is a little safer in a storm than having the surge protector on.

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.

Do refrigerators need surge protection?

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 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.

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.

Where do you place a surge protector?

As most surge protectors are installed in parallel to the power panels, normally the best place to install the device is on the main service or panel feeding the facility.

Can a surge protector catch on 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.

Does my Smart TV need a 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.

Should I turn off my surge protector at night?

While these products are designed for surge protection, they can also be an extreme fire hazard when not in use. That's because surge protectors consume energy even when the devices they're protecting are turned off. You should turn off surge protector when not in use because it could be causing a fire hazard.

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.

Is 1500 watts a lot for an outlet?

Know the amount of power you're placing on an outlet or circuit. Some recommend each outlet or circuit should not exceed 1,500 watts. Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, etc.) should be plugged directly into their own wall outlet since they are heavy power users.

How do you know if a power strip is overloaded?