Surge Protector/Suppressor Protection Guide

By Tim Carter
©1993-2010 Tim Carter

Summary: Surge protectors, or surge suppressors, come in many varieties. In the surge protector chart below you can compare joule ratings, warranties and prices to find the best surge protectors for your home.

Wait till you study the table below! You already know that if you want protection, you need joules. There is a wide variance in the amount of joules for each surge suppressor. The all important clamping voltage is fairly consistent in many of the models, but the joule rating is all over the map.

Sears has everyone beat hands down. They have an affordable suppressor that has all the bells and whistles AND offers a 2,500 joule rating! It is also affordable with a retail price of $59.99. These suppressors offer the highest protection of all the ones I could readily find. If you can't get a Sears suppressor, the Belkin top-of-the-line model will give you great protection as well.

Surge Suppressor Comparisons

Manufacturer	Model #	Joules	UL 1449 Clamping Volts	Alarms	Connected Equipment Warranty
APC	Power Manager	480	330	Yes	$25,000
APC	Pro 7	320	330	Yes	$10,000
Belkin	F5C895TEL	1,950	330	Yes	Unlimited
Belkin	F5C795 or TEL	1,650	330	Yes	$50,000
Belkin	F5C595 or TEL	905	330	Yes	$15,000
Electricord	H1566-006-WH	1,350	330	Yes	$50,000
Electricord	A-1548-006-BL	800	400	Yes	$15,000
Power Sentry	374	1,020	Not listed	No	$50,000
Power Sentry	177	520	Not listed	No	$25,000
Sears	#83540	2,500	330	Yes	$10,000

Comments:

Bill
31 Dec 2007, 06:36

Can you connect surge protectors in series and increase the joule level of protection?

AsktheBuilder
31 Dec 2007, 08:10

Bill,
I don't know......

Kat
11 Jan 2008, 13:29

Our flat panel TV is mounted on the wall. Is there a surge protector that can work in that type of installation?
Thanks for your advice.

AsktheBuilder
11 Jan 2008, 16:42

Kat,

Possibly there is. I would go to a local TV store that sells flat panels and see if they know of a thin profile surge protector.

Scott
11 Apr 2008, 13:58

Yes, you can put surge protectors in series. The best way to go is whole house protector at the breaker box, and then use the outlet or power strip protectors for added measure of safety. Don't forge the phone lines and the cable/antenna coax.

x
23 Jul 2008, 11:48

Whole-house surge suppression is essential if you have anything you care about. And you do.

I didn't worry about lightning strikes until I got hit by a strike that fried my ultra-expensive furnace (yes, the furnace!) and my beloved PC. I hired an electrician to install whole-house surge suppression for the cable, phone line, and the entire power box.

Philip Lueng
18 Jan 2009, 09:12

Can I use them(inclu. Modle#F5C895TEL & Modle#F9G934-10-GRY BY Belkin) in China?

Laura Yoder
08 Aug 2009, 08:12

Our home appliances have been damaged by lightning storms two times within the past two years. This has caused costly repairs and replacement of new appliances. I heard about the home surge protection on HGTV. I don't know what we need to protect ourselves again if another storm comes our way. What do you recommend?

cc
06 Oct 2009, 10:18

I just bought a Nordic Track Treadmill and it was set up last night. The plug i'm going to have to use didn't reach the outlet I have to use so the setup folks said for me to get a surge protector. I was thinking the normal, 4-6 outlet protector stripk, but now, after googling, I'm confused. They said any one will work, but now I have my doubts. Any advice? Also, I've always wondered how to tell if an outlet is "grounded".

Jim
18 Oct 2009, 18:52

Regarding : Our flat panel TV is mounted on the wall. Is there a surge protector that can work in that type of installation?

--

Any home improvement store sells a surge protector outlets similar to that of a GFCI. They are normally blue in color and will fit in the recessed trims that will tuck being your television... They also have an output for load which will cover the rest of the outlets in line.

Hope that helps...

View all comments