Difference between power strip and surge protector

With the exception of the bathroom, there are probably multiple appliances, devices, and lighting, and electronics are found in most rooms in the house. All of these need to be plugged in. In addition, there are vacuum cleaners, fans and other items. There is no dedicated outlet, but you may need one.

And unless your home is newly built or refurbished, you may not have enough outlets to power everything you use on a daily basis. To make up for that, there may be power strips or surge protectors that can accommodate additional plugs. But which is which?

They look the same and the terms are often used interchangeably, but power strips and surge protectors are not the same thing. Here’s what you need to know:

Difference between power strip and surge protector

Both power strips and surge protectors consist of extension cords (of different lengths) with multiple outlets, so you can easily see where things can get confused.

The difference is that the surge protector has another element (to prevent damage to the electronics connected to the surge protector) in the event of a power surge. Extra power Come into your house). The power strip may have an on / off switch, Not much (if any) More protection than a wall outlet.

According to experts Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the surge protector “clamps” the surge. That is, it removes the surge from what is downstream (that is, what is connected to the outlet). Surge protectors are especially important if you live in a rural area. There are many big motors in this building. Kamadoya (elevator), or areas where thunderstorms occur frequently. All of these can send surges to the power lines.

Conclusion: When buying a power strip or surge protector, pay attention to the packaging and make sure you are buying the product you need.