Is there a difference between power strips and surge protectors? Both let you power several devices at once. Heck, they even look similar. But there are distinct differences you need to understand before deciding between the two. If you feel confused, don’t worry. We’ll break it all down for you in this post!
The Basic Differences Between Power Strips and Surge Protectors
A power strip (Image 1) is an electrical unit featuring multiple electrical sockets enclosed in an electrically shielded case. The strip is powered by a single electrical cord plugged into a wall outlet. Surge protectors, on the other hand, (Image 2) have an electrical component that protects devices plugged into the power strip from an electrical surge.
One way to tell the difference is that a surge protector has a light indicator on the unit; the indicator illuminates to show the strip is protected.
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| Image 1 | Image 2 |
Are Surge Protectors a Better Option than Power Strips?
It depends on the device you’re powering. The benefit of surge protectors is they protect electronics from electrical surges that occur when there is a spike or increase in voltage in an electrical line. Voltage spikes can be caused by lightning strikes, power outages, tripped circuit breakers, short circuits, and more. Surge protectors detect when the voltage is about to spike and divert the extra voltage to the grounding wire. Thus, none of your electronic devices will be harmed.
So, suppose you are plugging in sensitive electronics like desktop computers, laptops, or a television. In that case, a surge protector is a way to go. For things like lamps and alarm clocks, a standard power strip is usually all you need.
How Do I Choose the Right Surge Protector?
Surge protectors come in several different types. Far beyond your basic power strip, they can also be in adapters such as Quail’s USB travel adapter and double-tap adapters. And yes, they are all surge protected.
When looking for surge protection, always check the joules rating. Knowing this rating is crucial because it tells you how much energy the surge protector can divert. The bigger or more powerful the appliance you’re protecting, the higher the joules rating you want. Generally, you want at least 600 joules.
For example, our Rotating Power Strip is 2,160 joules with a response time of less than one nanosecond. This awesome device features 6 x 180° rotating outlets that prevent AC/DC converters and other bulky plugs from bumping into each other. This power strip not only helps save room for others but features a circuit breaker that backs up the surge protection. The 2500.PS8-R series features 8 receptacles, 6 rotating and 2 fixed, all of which have surge protection.
Before deciding to buy the most inexpensive power strip in a store, remember to consider the differences in these products. If you want your equipment protected, it would be logical to purchase a power strip with a surge protector. Still, have questions? Call the experts at Quail! We’re on standby to help you will all your power cord and power strip needs.