Although surge protectors may look like a power strip, don’t be fooled in thinking they offer the same benefits.  A power strip adds extra outlet space to power your electronics, whereas a surge protector actually helps protect your electronics from voltage spikes.  What causes voltage spikes and are they really that common?  Well, events like lightning strikes, power outages, and other grid malfunctions cause voltage spikes, and yes, they happen very frequently. 

Now, not all electronics need a surge protector (although there’s no harm if you do choose to use one).  Using one on a lamp, for example, isn’t necessary because the only damage a power surge running through a lamp could do is burn out its lightbulb.  However, it is crucial to use a surge protector on devices such as laptops and computers as they contain voltage-sensitive components that a power surge could easily damage, and without a surge protector, a power spike or power surge could actually shorten the life of your device, wipe out all of your data, or even completely destroy your system. 

Ok, great, so you’ve connected a surge protector to all your critical electronic devices and you’re feeling great that your electronics are safe and protected and now you don’t need to think about it anymore.  Well, not quite.  Surge protectors do need replacing every couple of years because as they take a power hit, it slowly diminishes its life.  Unfortunately, with most surge protectors you can’t tell if it’s providing full protection or not, so it’s best to be proactive and replace it.  A good surge protector can last about three to five years (depending on amount/strength of surges).

Ready to start protecting your electronics?  We have a variety of surge protectors to suit your various needs!

Source: https://earlybirdelectricians.com/blog/why-surge-protectors-are-needed/