Surge Protectors

Questions and answers to service issues.
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CFeld
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:35 am

Surge Protectors

Post by CFeld »

Surge protector
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Single-outlet surge protector, with visible connection and protection lights

A surge protector (or surge suppressor) is an appliance designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes. A surge protector attempts to regulate the voltage supplied to an electric device by either blocking or by shorting to ground voltages above a safe threshold. The following text discusses specifications and components relevant only to the type of protector that diverts (shorts) a voltage spike to ground. Many power strips have surge protection built-in; these are typically clearly labeled as such. However, sometimes power strips that do not provide surge protection are erroneously referred to as surge protectors

Most Common Surge Component

MOV's are composed of a thin disc or wafer of a material (metal oxide) that has a known voltage breakdown characteristic. At low voltages, the MOV conducts very little current (micro-amperes). As the voltage approaches breakdown, the MOV begins to conduct current. At voltages slightly above the breakdown, large currents flow, effectively clamping the output voltage. MOV devices are inherently consumable. Many small impulses, or one large one, cause degradation in the metal oxide material, which eventually leads to component failure.

MOV's fail, winch means that as they do there job and stop surges from reaching your computer they break down. Our recommendation is on Servers to replace the unit completely every other year.
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