Most people find the difference between power strips and surge protectors quite mysterious. So here is answering all your questions: Do you need a surge protector? Are all Power strips surge protectors? Etc.

What’s the difference between power strips and surge protectors?

They look the same, and hence, people confuse the two. In fact, many people buy a surge protector but bring back a power strip without knowing the difference. The power strip is an extension cord, which only serves the purpose of providing additional outlets. On the contrary, a surge protector has another element inside it that, talking electrically, will help ‘clamp’ the surge. Hence, removing the tide from the device plugged in will protect your device from getting damaged. Suppose your area has many electrical storms or you live with high-duty appliances like furnaces, large motors, and elevators. In that case, they can send surges down the power line, thus making a surge protector essential for you.

What should I look for when buying a power strip or surge protector?

The product you buy must be UL-certified. It indicates that the manufacturer has met the safety standards set by regulatory bodies. It may seem insignificant now, but think of the electrical hazards you are inviting by being careless about not checking whether they are certified. You must also check the electrical rating and whether the power you can draw from it is enough to power your devices. This way, you will not overload the surge protector or power strip. A surge protector also has a suppressed voltage rating ranging from 330 Volts to 4000 Volts. While you may believe you want the one with 4000 volts, remember that the lower the rating, the better the protection against power surges.

Is there a limit to what I can plugin, or how many things?

You cannot plug in eight things just because there are eight outlets. How many devices your plugin uses depends on the type of devices and how much electricity they will draw. The total power drawn should not exceed 90% of the maximum load the surge protector or power strip can handle. Overloading these can easily cause a circuit breaker trip, making you have to reset it. Using lots of power strips is caused either due to laziness or due to lack of enough outlets. You’d probably notice that the circuit breakers pop too often, and you’re blowing fuses frequently. Calling in an electrical contractor may seem expensive initially however, adding these electrical outlets will later help save greater repair costs. I use many power strips all over my house, and I have more than one in some rooms. Is this safe?

Can power strips be a fire hazard?

You may have thought of throwing a rug over the long cord of a power strip simply to save people from tripping over it. However, you are putting yourself in danger as soon enough, the wires in the cord will start overheating and breaking. Being covered, they may capture the heat and break out into a fire. Though surge protectors and power strips do not come with an expiration date, you must replace them after a specified period when they seem to be heating or malfunctioning. Throwing out a breaking-away power strip is always better than putting yourself at risk of electronic hazards and fire.