quote:
Originally posted by lopardo
Hmm, I was gonna ask about this, but Google answered me: 
quote:
Originally posted by http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/s/surge_protector.html
surge protector
A device that shields computer and other electronic devices from surges in electrical power, or transient voltage, that flow from the power supply. Standard American voltage for home and office buildings is 120 volts. Anything over this amount is considered transient and can damage electronic devices that are plugged into an outlet. Even though power surges are so brief that they are measured in nanoseconds, they can cause considerable damage to electronic equipment.
A surge protector works by channeling the extra voltage into the outlet's grounding wire, preventing it from flowing through the electronic devices while at the same time allowing the normal voltage to continue along its path. Electrical surges can damage computer equipment by burning its wires or gradually over time wearing down the device’s internal components and even wipe out any saved data. Surge protectors can also protect telephone and cable lines as these also carry electric current.
It is a common misunderstanding that surge protectors will protect systems from lightning, the most familiar source of power surges. Even the most effective surge protectors can not protect equipment from the sudden increase in electrical pressure of millions of volts that lightning can supply. The best way to prevent damage during from lightning storm is to unplug devices that could be irreparably damaged. Surge protectors more commonly protect equipment from lower-voltage surges that occur frequently in modern electrical wiring. For example, devices such as refrigerators and air conditioners require large amounts of energy to switch motors and compressors on and off, creating surges in power that disrupt the steady flow of voltage. Faulty wiring, downed power lines and faulty equipment at the power source (utility company) can all cause power surges as well.
Surge protectors are also commonly called power strips, surge suppressors and transient suppressors.
Excellent find
Though, I must add one thing: those power bars you see in stores are NOT surge protectors. Don't mix up a surge protector and a power bar/strip which has simply a fuse. Those two are very different. Such power bars (which often has also a button to turn on/off all the devices plugged into it at once) do not protect at all to power surges.
quote:
Originally posted by evil_panda
You can get a little extension cable/surge protector from most hardware store's i have one but it has never came to be used...
This is excactly what I'm talking about!
This is NOT a power suge protector at all.
Such extension cables have nothing more than a simple fuse which only protects against a to much power drain from the devices plugged into it.
eg: you plug in 10 huge fridges on that one power cord/extension cable, the fuse will melt.
quote:
Originally posted by lordy16
and a little thing called an uninteruptable power supply. that is a kind of surge protector RIIIIGHT?
Such 'little things' costs relativly a lot of money, and they do not always contain a power surge protection.
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