How does surge protection work?
Power surges are a sudden increase in the electrical current being routed into power outlets. If a power surge happens, irreparable damage to equipment can be caused.
Surge protection is an essential and effective way of preventing this damage from occurring and can take many forms, from specialist plug sockets which absorb the additional voltage to components which can be used in the equipment itself.
What types of surge protection components are there?
- Gas discharge tubes - a glass tube which is sealed at both ends, contains two electrodes and is filled with a gas that conducts electricity when a high voltage is applied. This type of component can be used to protect sensitive circuits.
- Surge suppressor units - a common type of component, a surge suppressor unit can be built into a device, such as a power strip, or used as a standalone component.
- Switching spark gap - these are used to switch between circuits quickly and are often used in the building and automotive industries.
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