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.
