Surge protection is a great way to protect your home from power surges. These surges can cause major damage to your appliances. They're similar to too much pressure on a hose, causing the wire to burst or burn. The increased voltage can also wear down components over time. You can buy a surge protector from an electronics store to protect your home.
Surge protectors typically use multiple elements to prevent a voltage surge. They use inductors, capacitors, and a semiconductor called a MOV. The MOV is used to monitor the voltage and send a signal when a voltage transient occurs. These elements are connected to the power line and grounding line, and can change resistance to block the surges.
A surge protector should be able to protect against common and differential mode surges. It should also be rated for the operating voltage of the installation. A higher-rated surge protector may not offer adequate protection. If a power supply is in a high-risk environment, you may need to consider a surge protector that is designed to withstand a higher operating voltage.
Surge protectors also protect against lightning strikes, which can cause strong power surges. Lighting strikes can affect power lines and other electronic devices in your home. When lightning strikes, the transient voltage can travel along buried copper cabling and electrical service lines. Another way a surge can occur is when a power substation switches capacitors according to demand, or after a brownout. Surges are extremely common and can cause a variety of problems, from burnt-out appliances to component damage. Having a surge protector installed in your home is the best way to ensure the safety of your electronic devices.