What's the difference between a surge protector and a regular power strip?

While power strips and surge protectors may look similar, there are some important differences between the two:
Protection: A power strip simply provides extra outlets for plugging in devices, but it doesn't offer any protection from power surges or voltage spikes. In contrast, a surge protector is designed to protect your devices from these types of electrical disturbances.
Components: A power strip contains a basic circuit breaker that trips if the electrical current exceeds a certain level. A surge protector contains additional components like metal oxide varistors (MOVs) that are designed to absorb excess voltage and protect your devices.
Joule Rating: Surge protectors are rated in joules, which is a measure of the amount of energy they can absorb before they fail. Higher-rated surge protectors can absorb more energy and offer better protection.
Price: Surge protectors are typically more expensive than regular power strips, due to the additional components and protection they offer.
In summary, a power strip is simply an extension cord with multiple outlets, while a surge protector provides protection from power surges and voltage spikes. If you have valuable electronics that you want to protect from electrical disturbances, it's recommended to use a surge protector instead of a regular power strip.
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