What is a Surge Protector?

1. Surge protector

A surge protector is a small electrical device with two functions. The first function is to allow multiple components to be plugged into the same power outlet. The second function, which is more important, is the ability to protect electronic equipment. If the electrical equipment suddenly generates peak current or voltage during use, the surge protector can conduct and shunt in a very short time to avoid damage to other equipment in the circuit.

2. How to use a surge protector safely

We often see a safety tip in daily life: For safety reasons, please do not plug the heater into the electrical plugboard. In fact, high-voltage appliances such as heaters can easily overheat the electrical plug boards and cause fires. The surge protector can play a role in this situation. It is equipped with a switch and indicator light. If the plugboard is overheated, the fuse will melt, cutting off the power of the heater and eliminating the possibility of fire. However, not all surge protectors have built-in circuit breakers. Therefore, for safety reasons, you should avoid inserting high-power appliances such as air conditioners or heaters into a surge protector.

3. How long does a surge protector serve?

It is recommended to replace the surge protector every two years. However, under normal situations, the surge protector is replaced after three to five years of continuous operation (depending on the number/intensity of the surge). This is because most users do not understand the replacement rules of the surge protector. The surge protector may still be working (the indicator light is still on), but it has aged and is not able to protect the device. In this case, it is difficult for users to notice because they will only realize that the surge protector should be replaced when the power is cut off.