An electric protector, in the broadest sense, is any device designed to safeguard electrical appliances, equipment, and even entire electrical systems from a range of harmful electrical irregularities. The most common type of electric protector is a surge protector.

Surge Protectors

A surge protector, or surge suppressor, is designed to protect electronic devices from power surges or voltage spikes. A power surge is a sudden and brief increase in voltage, often caused by lightning strikes, utility grid switching, or even the on/off cycling of large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners. Even a small, repetitive surge can degrade and eventually damage the sensitive components in modern electronics.

How It Works:

The most common component used in surge protectors is a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV).

Once the voltage returns to a safe level, the MOV’s resistance becomes high again, and normal current flow resumes.

A standard power strip has the electrical current flowing from the outlet, through the strip, and to the plugged-in devices.

An MOV is connected in parallel to this path, between the hot wire and the grounding wire.

Under normal voltage conditions, the MOV has an extremely high resistance, and it does not conduct electricity.

When a voltage surge occurs, the MOV’s resistance drops dramatically, and it instantly shunts the excess voltage and current away from the connected devices and into the ground wire.