What is ul1449?

UL 1449 is the Underwriters Laboratories Safety Standard for Surge Protective Devices

Surge Protective Devices

A surge protector (or spike suppressor, surge suppressor, surge diverter, surge protection device (SPD) or transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) is an appliance or device intended to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes in alternating current (AC) circuits.

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Surge protector - Wikipedia

(SPD). Surges are rapid increases in voltage and current that can occur on AC or DC power circuits that can damage equipment attached to these circuits. An example of a surge would be a lightning strike on or near exposed power lines.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 surge protection?

Type 1 SPD is characterized by a 10/350 µs current wave. The Type 2 SPD is the main protection system for all low voltage electrical installations. Installed in each electrical switchboard, it prevents the spread of overvoltages in the electrical installations and protects the loads.

How do I know if my surge protector is UL 1449?

Be sure that the product is listed as a transient voltage surge suppressor. This means that it meets the criteria for UL 1449, UL's minimum performance standard for surge suppressors. There are a lot of power strips listed by UL that have no surge protection components at all.

What is the UL 1449 surge suppressor?

UL 1449 Suppressed Voltage Rating (SVR) is an earlier measure of let-through voltage based on a test using a 500-amp current. You may see this rating on some surge protectors, instead of the newer VPR rating. A lower SVR number usually indicates better protection. The lowest possible SVR rating is 330-volts.

What is transient voltage surge suppressor?

A transient voltage surge suppressor is a device which is installed on an AC or DC power line to act as a cutoff if there is a momentary surge of electrical power, also known as a “transient.” TVSS devices are considered crucial to the protection of sensitive equipment which would result in circuitry damage or data ...

Is UL 1449 listing important?

What is the difference between a surge protector and a surge suppressor?

When buying a surge protector, always take the following into consideration: Surge suppressors differ from surge protectors in that surge protectors are basically just extension cords with minimal built-in protection (fuses, etc.).

Where are surge suppressors used?

Surge suppressors should be used as a matter of habit with all semiconductor-based electronic and computer hardware, including peripherals such as printers, monitors, external disk drives, and modem s. But the suppressor should not be relied upon to provide protection against lightning-induced transients.

What is ul1449 let through rating?

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1449 is the listing a surge suppressor receives when it is tested with the ANSI/IEEE C62. 41 waveforms, and it refers to the “let-through voltage”. The ratings range from 330 volts to 6,000 volts. Extreme care must be given when comparing the let-through voltages of different suppressors.

Are all surge protectors UL 1449?

UL's safety and performance standard for Surge Protective Devices (SPD), formerly known as Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS), is UL 1449. This standard applies to end-users, manufacturers, and specifiers.

How many amps should my surge protector be?

Most 120-volt power strips are rated at a maximum cord and plug load of 12 amps.

What is the difference between UL listed and UL certified?

UL certification is essentially an umbrella term in which UL listed and UL recognized fall. In contrast, UL listing can refer only to stand-alone products that have a specific function and were tested against UL's nationally recognized safety standards of a specific category of equipment.

How do I choose a good surge protector?

A higher joule rating is the best indicator of greater protection. 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.

Are Philips surge protectors UL listed?

Philips 6-Outlet Extender Surge Protector, 3-Prong, Wall Adapter Plug, Space Saving Design, 1020J, UL Listed, White, SPS1006WA/37 : Everything Else.

What are the 3 different types of surge protectors?

What is Type 3 surge protection?

Type 3 Surge protector device (SPD)

Type-3 SPD is characterized by a combination of voltage waves (1.2/50 µs) and current waves (8/20 µs). • Its main function is to limit low level surges which can damage sensitive electronic circuits in TVs, PCs and electric appliances.

What is a Type 3 surge protective device?

Type 3 Surge Protective Devices include things like surge protective receptacles, strips and plug-in adapters for shielding computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and HDTVs from harmful transients. They're installed at the point-of-use and serve as your last line of defense in protecting your investments.

How do I know if my power strip is UL approved?

Make sure the product you buy is UL certified. That's your one indication the manufacturer has met safety standards, and it could pay off for you down the road. We look at fire hazard, electrical shock hazard and even the personal injury hazard with things like sharp edges.

Is there a difference in surge protectors?

In general, the higher the rating, the better and longer the device can protect. The UL VPR (Underwriters Laboratories Voltage Protection Rating) indicates the surge protector's clamping voltage — the highest voltage the surge protector allows through before restricting additional voltage.

Are there different levels of surge protectors?

All surge protectors are not created equal. In fact, there is a tremendous range in both performance and price of protection systems. At one end, you have your basic $5 surge protector power strip, which will offer very little protection.

Is 1200 joules a good surge protector?

Units with surge protector ratings of 1000 to 2000 joules will provide sufficient protection for power tools and office equipment such as printers, copiers and routers. Consider the highest joule ratings—2000 and above—for home theater components, gaming consoles and any computer that stores important data…

Should I use a surge protector for my washing machine?

A general rule of thumb is to not use surge protectors for high-powered appliances such as your washing machine. It's also advised to not connect multiple surge protectors together. It may seem like a handy way to get more outlets but all it is, is an electrical fire hazard.

Does GE make good surge protectors?

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice surge protector. So far so good with this surge protector. Like many reviewers on here, I also had some difficulty plugging my appliances into it. But with firm pressure they did go in.

Why do I need a surge suppressor?

Surge protectors help extend the lifespan of your electronics. Power strikes and surges put your electronics at risk. Lightning strikes, power outages, grid malfunctions, and several other electrical problems cause spikes. Power surges usually happen because of issues with a power grid.

Are surge suppressors worth?

Do Whole House Surge Protectors Really Work? Yes! A whole-house suppressor instantly blocks the surge from entering home circuits to provide comprehensive lightning protection. Individual plug-in suppressors can't protect electronics that aren't plugged in, but are hard-wired instead.

What is the difference between a surge and a spike?

If more voltage is introduced than an electrical appliance is designed to handle, this is called a power surge or transient voltage. Any such voltage increase that lasts at least three nanoseconds is considered a surge. If the increase is only present for one or two nanosecond, that's called a power spike.