What to Look for in a Surge Protector | Electrical Contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC

5/4/2019

Are you planning to install more outlets in your home or do you need an additional protection layer between the outside world and your gear? Ultimately, the installation of surge protection is the need of the hour.

Today, surge protectors vary in terms of features and prices. Since, there are so many of them, hence you can’t rush into purchasing them. In order to help you out with how to pick a surge protector, consider the following considerations from electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Versatility

Surge protectors and power strips are not the same electrical products. Usually a power strip is cheaper and it is used for multiple outlets which are required for a wall outlet’s expansion. While they do have a circuit breaker; they do not provide actual protection from electrical problems.

On the other hand, according to electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC, surge protectors are especially designed to provide protection against spikes.

Warranty

Many surge protections come up with warranty for the gear which is attached to the protector. For instance, electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC gave an example of a surge protector which has a $300,000 Warranty for Connected Equipment and claims that a spike, lightning strike, or surge damages electronic equipment while it is attached to the power strip, then they will replace or repair it up to $300,000.

Chances are that you do not actually need it but still it can help you in unexpected scenarios. Warranties of surge protection differ from region to region.

More Outlets

According to electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC, there is always a requirement for more outlets than the initial estimations. You will most probably install more gear and refrain from eliminating the current gear. While choosing 15 outlets, when you merely need 5 outlets can be overkill, but selecting 8 outlets when you need 5 is a wise strategy.

Power Conditioner

There is a wide range of electrical products which allegedly “condition” the wall power, claiming the provision of better performance in the gear. However, you might be unaware but your gear’s design means that it does not need it. Electronics equipment consists of a power supply which receives the incoming wall current (110v), applies noise filtering, and proceeds with the appropriate conversion. Mostly, not many things require 110 volts. Therefore, if you have got either a cheap or wacky gear and reside in a neighborhood which is known for inadequate power then you do not really require a power conditioner.

Assessment of Joules

The protection from surge protectors comes in a measurement known as joules. For instance, if equipment provides 1,000 joules protection, then it is powerful enough to withstand one 1,000 joule hits or twenty 50 joule hits. Usually, the greater the joules, the better it is.

So, how to assess the number of joules which are remaining in a surge protector or how to ensure the accuracy of the rating? According to electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC, this is not something you can get an answer to.

Cable and Phone Lines

According to electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC, if you need complete protection, then you have to understand that cable and phones lines are also known for carrying power spikes. There are some types of surge protectors which provide protectors for them.

USB Connectivity

Different surge protectors have USB connectivity; it comes in handy for charging smart phones. While this may be helpful, you have to see the output amp rating of your surge protectors. Usually, this is either 1A or 2A; .i.e. the amount of amps which can pass in your pipe. For a tablet, you might require 2 amps for charging while a smart phone requires only 1 amp.

Longevity

Earlier, we discussed the joule rating. This rating means that after a passage of time, a protector may wear out. There are some surge protectors which explicitly provide a warning while other does not provide one. When you are the victim of a major electrical event such as the degradation of a transformer then look for electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC so they can replace your surge protector.

Portable Power Strip

A portable power strip does not provide much protection, however it can stop marginal friction and becomes a source of bliss from travel colleagues. Mostly, hotels and hostels provide some accessible outlets. However, still people have many devices which need a recharging. Portable power strips can support up to three outlets along with a direct option for USB charging.

Surge protectors provide an excellent return on investment. Thus, you should purchase one. Your use and requirement can vary. If you reside in a neighborhood which is popular for thunderstorms, then you can expect your gear to get a lot of power surges. In case, you choose to reside in a hotter area, your refrigerator and air conditioner can cause power spikes which can affect your A/V gear.

As surge protectors are quite affordable, therefore there is not any reason which can make you decide against them. However, the correct selection and installation of surge protectors relies on the right electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC. A certified electrician can help you make up your mind about a protector and explain both the pros and cons of your decision.

As such, contact Mister Sparky. With years of experience behind our back, we can protect your home from a major accident. For the past few years, we have provided various types of electrical services in Myrtle Beach, SC and have made our name as the leading electrical contractors in Myrtle Beach, SC. Hence, do not hesitate to give us a call and discuss your predicament.