There are 3 main types of surge protection electronic stores usually carry: Basic, advanced, and stations.
- Basic power surge strips have 5 or 6 outlets and will only protect your electronics moderately. These can be less than $20, but you get what you pay for when it comes to surge protection.
- Advanced strips filter electricity smoother and provide grounding for your Internet and telephone connections as well. They will be able to filter voltage spikes better than basic strips, but will not prevent all surges in electricity.
- Surge stations offer the most protection. This option is the best way to protect your computer and office equipment. These fit under your computer or desk and can protect your Internet, phone, and modem connection. These can be costly, but offer the best defense against spikes in electricity.
Many people use an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to protect their computer. During power outages these devices provide short-term power to allow you to save data and properly shut down your computer equipment. If you use a UPS be sure to check if it also provides surge protection. Not all do, and if yours does not, you will still need to invest in an additional power surge protector to plug your UPS and computer into.
FKEC recommends all members use some form of surge protection on valued electronics. Most electronic stores sell a wide range of surge protection devices and can help you decide what protection best suits you.