SURGE PROTECTOR vs OUTLET MULTIPLIER

The following article describes and compares the differences between a surge protector (often call a surge suppressor) and an outlet multiplier (often called a power strip).

Power Outlet Multipliers (i.e., Multiple Outlet Devices, Power Strips)
Power Outlet Multipliers essentially solve a supply and demand problem: do you have 10 devices but only 2 outlets? The power outlet multiplier ensures there's a place to plug-in every cord.

However, distributing power is only one part of the equation. What happens during a power surge or electrical spike? How will components be impacted by a larger event such as a wiring problem, power line outage or even a lightning strike? On their own, power multipliers cannot protect equipment against such disasters.

The more money you invest in your television, DVD player, home theater, computer, or other electronics, the higher the stakes. That's why it is critical to protect your equipment with adequate surge protection. The Insurance Information Institute recommends protecting your electronic equipment from harmful power surges and electrical spikes by using surge protectors in your home as over a billion dollars in insurance claims on damaged equipment are expected for 2007 in the US alone.

Surge Protectors
Sure, there's a good chance that lighting will never strike your television set - so why all the fuss about surge protection? A staggering number of electronics warranty claims can be traced to everyday power surges that damage components over time. These smaller surges happen all the time – for example, when powerful household appliances such as the dishwasher or dryer are switched on or off.

Today's valuable electronic devices (such as flat-panel, high-definition plasma, LCD or projection TV's), contain many delicate parts that are particularly vulnerable to power surges and spikes. Left unprotected, they will become damaged or even fail completely. Surges don't just get to equipment through the AC power lines. Just as much damage can be done through the cable, phone and DSL lines. Flexity recommends choosing a surge protector designed to cover all lines that connect to your equipment, such as the PowerSquid surge 3000 Calamari Edition which includes coaxial cable protection and an integral phone line splitter to protect your phone line and DSL connection.

Learn more about Surge Protection...

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