One joule is about the amount of electricity used to light a one-watt LED for one second. A joule is a unit of energy required to do a certain amount of work. The amount of protection surge protectors provide is measured in joules. However, their need drops off quickly once they’re running, which can cause surges elsewhere in the house’s wiring. Air conditioners, compressors, and electric ranges require a large amount of power, particularly when they start up.
The other common cause for surges occurs within your own home. When the power company’s transformers and complex switching systems try to reroute power or address changing demands, it can create inconsistent power flow with dips and bursts. More commonly, power surges are caused during storms when power lines are downed. Most surge protectors can’t handle anything this large, so don’t rely on them during lightning storms-the best way to protect from this type of surge is to unplug your sensitive electronic equipment. People tend to worry most about lightning strikes, which can find their way to electrical wires and cause power spikes in the millions of volts. Power surges can occur due to a number of reasons. So, to be sure you’re getting the most protection you can, it’s a good idea to replace them every two to three years. With every voltage fluctuation they absorb, their lifespan is shortened. What most people don’t realize about surge protectors is that they wear out over time. The proliferation of wireless handheld devices that charge at lower voltages makes surge protection more important than ever. What You Need to Know About Surge Protection Most Outlets: Powsaf 18-Outlet ($22.97).Best for Collaborative Workspaces: Jacklyed Power Strip Tower ($26.99).Best for the Desktop: Anker PowerExtend USB-C 3 Capsule ($69.99).Most Versatile: Monoprice 8-Outlet Rotating Surge Strip ($23.99).Best for Travel: Anker PowerPort Cube ($19.99).Best One-Size-Fits-All: APC PE6RU3 SurgeArrest ($33.52).Best for Work Travel: Tessan Flat Plug Extension Cord ($14.44).Best Overall: APC P11VT3 SurgeArrest ($28.60).Best Under a Desk: Bestek 8-Outlet ($26.99).Most Complete Protection: Belkin 12-Outlet ($24.99).We tested a broad range to determine which are the best. Today, power strips often incorporate USB ports and surge protection.
#MOST RELIABLE POWER SUPPLY BRANDS PC 2018 BLUETOOTH#
Now we’ve got laptops, tablets, smart phones, and wireless Bluetooth devices, all connected to a power strip. Most people had a desktop computer and monitor, and maybe a printer-but add to those external drives, scanners, wireless routers, and other peripheral devices, and those two standard outlets most of us had were simply overwhelmed. The 1980s brought us the computer age and also ushered in the power strip.