The Reality of Surge Protectors: Benefits, Limitations, & More

Before discussing the benefits and limitations of surge protectors, let's review what a surge protector is and how it works. Surge protectors divert excess voltage from electrical surges away from connected devices. They detect the voltage spike and redirect the extra energy to the grounding wire, preventing it from reaching and damaging your devices. Great surge protectors typically have multiple metal oxide varistors (MOVs) that absorb the excess voltage caused by surges and spikes.

While surge protectors effectively handle sudden voltage spikes, they are not foolproof. To ensure the safety of your electronic devices, let's explore the reality of surge protectors, their benefits, and their limitations. 

• Protection against all electrical issues: Surge protectors are designed to handle voltage spikes caused by external sources such as lightning strikes or power grid fluctuations. These extreme electricity surges can overwhelm most entry-level surge protectors, damaging your devices. 
• Joule rating: Opting for a surge protector with a Joule rating below 2,000 (for reference, the white strip has no more than 500 Joules) for your home may lead to insufficient protection, as it may not have the resilience needed to absorb higher-energy surges adequately. 
• Lifespan: Surge protectors have a limited lifespan and wear out over time, especially after absorbing multiple surges. If you've had the same surge protector for over ten years, the Joules have most likely all been absorbed and are not protecting your devices. Austere surge protectors have indicator lights that alert you when to replace your unit. Learn more here. 
• Quality matters: Not all surge protectors are created equal. Cheaper surge protectors may offer minimal protection and could fail to safeguard your devices adequately during a power surge. Investing in high-quality surge protectors from reputable brands like Austere is crucial to ensure reliable protection.
• Grounding: Proper grounding is essential for surge protectors to function effectively. If a surge protector is not correctly grounded, it may fail to divert excess voltage away from your devices, leaving them vulnerable to damage. Most surge protectors don’t let you know that your device isn’t grounded.

Recommendations for Comprehensive Protection:

We strongly recommend combining surge protectors with other protective measures to create a robust defense system for your electronic devices. Surge protectors are designed to safeguard your electronic devices from voltage spikes. Understanding the limitations of entry-level surge protectors, investing in high-quality power products that provide high joule ratings, a longer usage timeline, and ensuring proper grounding are all crucial in safeguarding your devices against potential damage.