Rating of the best surge protectors for 2020

In the modern world, it is hard to imagine life without electronic devices. Every house or apartment is in any case equipped with electronics, since the use of such equipment makes everyday tasks easier and makes life more comfortable. For the equipment to function flawlessly, you need to take care of reliable wiring and stable voltage. The problem is that low-quality electronic components can quickly fail, which will lead to undesirable consequences. In this article, we'll take a look at the best surge protectors of 2020 to ensure safety and reliability during use.

The principle of operation of the line filter

The surge protector is designed to protect electronic devices during voltage surges. The service life of the devices depends on a quality node. Any household appliance at the first start produces a high load on the network, which can subsequently lead to unforeseen circumstances - burnout of light bulbs, knocking out plugs, etc. Such consequences arise if a number of powerful devices are involved in the apartment. It is in this case that a surge protector is needed, which will redistribute the load and protect the network from surges.

The surge protector is characterized by a rather complex design, which, first of all, distinguishes this unit from a tee and an extension cord. The fact is that the filter has a varistor, which is responsible for reducing the resistance. If the varistor does not cope with its task, then a fuse comes to replace it, which is available even in the cheapest devices. They also effectively protect electronic equipment from power surges. If the voltage drop is too high, a current limiter comes into play, which disconnects the equipment from the network.

Apart from the varistor and the fuse, the line filter is equipped with a capacitor and a symmetrical inductor. The last element serves to smooth out noise in the network. It is worth noting that another important part of the described device is grounding, since without it the filter would be no different from an extension cord.

Criterias of choice

A good choice of a surge protector can ensure that certain criteria are met. When buying, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

Appearance and length of the device

In addition to protecting the network from power surges, the filter must be productive. When buying protective equipment, you must first decide on the length of the wire. The number of outlets and the availability of a USB port also play an important role. You should not ignore the quality of the insulating material and the type of housing. It is also worth taking into account the size of the filter, the mounting system and the number of holes required to connect the electronics.

Voltage filtering degree

All electrical devices are designed for operation during which a voltage of 220 V will be used.However, from time to time the norm of the indicator is significantly exceeded. This is a major problem that most consumers face. The main problem is that the jump cannot be determined visually, so special measuring devices should be used. As for the surges themselves, they occur not only in residential premises for ordinary users, but also for the electricity suppliers themselves. Surges in electricity usually occur due to improper operation of lightning discharges or switches, as well as breakdowns in a substation.

To eliminate the surge, a varistor limiter is used, which is built into the design of the line filter. For the device to work correctly, it must be connected to an outlet that has a ground connection. In this case, jumps and drops will be reset to the last node. Thanks to this approach, electronic equipment will remain intact and not overheat.

Additionally, the filter is equipped with a capacitive unit, which is responsible for suppressing high frequency interference. The element includes several inductors and high-capacity capacitors. It should be noted that many filters are equipped with a short circuit fuse.

In some situations, even the best models fail to protect electrical appliances. The problem is that the voltage swings are too long (2-4 milliseconds). Such a jump is easy to determine by eye, since at this time the bulbs begin to flicker. Bursts of a similar nature are formed during the launch of asynchronous engines of dishwashers, refrigerators and other large household appliances. To avoid undesirable consequences, it is necessary to timely acquire an uninterruptible power supply.

There are times when some houses with old electrical networks give out too low voltage, and this has a detrimental effect on boards and other elements of devices. Unfortunately, surge protectors are just as useless under circumstances like those with a high surge. The purchase of specialized stabilizers that will prevent voltage drop can help.

Degree of protection

Surge protectors are divided into three protection groups: professional, advanced and basic. The first option is costly and is suitable for users who regularly use surge-sensitive electronics. Advanced Elements does a good job of securing home and office equipment. The basic group is intended for storing devices with low power. In many cases, such options are a worthy alternative to normal carrying.

Overheating protection

The surge protector generates a considerable amount of heat during operation. This happens due to heating of the wiring and other internal elements of the device. In emergency situations, a colossal release of heat occurs, and this often ends in equipment burnout.

To keep the filter and electrical appliances safe, you should consider good overheating protection. For this, a special sensor with temperature monitoring is installed, which in case of a drop, turns off the filter.

Indicators of rated current

Protective equipment is always equipped with a rated current limiter. As a rule, 10-16 A is considered a common parameter for most models. Based on these data, it is necessary to calculate the current indicator in accordance with the following formula: P = U * I (for reference, U-voltage; P-power).

If you use the above calculation correctly, then given a home network with a 220 V parameter and a rated current of 10 A, you will get equipment with a limitation of no more than 2.2 kW.

Often, manufacturers of surge protectors pre-place the maximum voltage values ​​on the case. It may not coincide with the calculations, however, the figure will be acceptable for high voltage. When the power significantly exceeds the prescribed tolerance, the bimetallic release will automatically disconnect all electronic devices from the network.

Auxiliary ports

Most of the advanced models are equipped not only with sockets, but also with various ports for telephone and computer lines. Also, a common USB connector is often found, which will allow you to charge a mobile device or other gadget. When the user chooses just such a model, he should make sure in advance of the corresponding parameter of the rated current (charging phones - 1 A; Charging tablets - 2.5 A).

Rating of the best surge protectors

Based on the opinions of professionals and feedback from regular customers, the following rating of the best surge protectors of 2020 was compiled.

RUBETEK RE 3310

Ideal option for advanced users using automated control from a mobile device (smart home). To activate this function, you need to download the required program and make sure that the software is localized correctly. The surge protector is suitable for both homes and offices, the main condition is the support of an automatic energy-saving system.

The filter design includes 4 USB ports with a rated current of 2.5 A and 3 sockets of 10 A. The level of supported voltage is 90-270 V. Safety during operation is ensured by special shutters, and a safety button is responsible for disconnecting. The cable length is 2 meters, and the product weight is 485 grams.

The filter works stably on automated systems led by Google Home and Apple Homekit. The control process is provided by the WI-Fi module. Additional features of the device include a timer and the function of setting a scenario. Emergency shutdown is performed by a special button located at the end of the case. The minimum price of a protective device starts at 3700 rubles.

• Separate places are assigned to outlets;
• Remote control support;
• Easy system setup;
• High quality insulating materials;
• Script setup function.

• Uninterrupted internet connection;
• Sophisticated smartphone control.

APC PM5U RS

The oldest model from this rating, which does not lose its relevance even in 2020. The device is regularly used to protect office and home electronics. The filter system has advanced protection that keeps the computer in good condition.

The case weighs 700 grams, and the material is high-strength plastic. The length of the network cable is 2 meters. The design of the filter is quite convenient, since there are special compartments in the lower part of the case, thanks to which the element can be installed on the wall. The wire is hidden in a specially designated installation.

The internal part of the filter consists of 5 Euro sockets 10 A each and 2 USB connectors 2.5 A. The charging units are protected by shutters and grounding, and not far from the switch there are 2 light diodes, which are responsible for informing the user about the level of protection.

An additional element is a key for reusable temperature protection. During stable operation of the filter, it is recessed into the body, but during surges it rises. The device is capable of withstanding power within 2.3 kW. The humidity level for work should not exceed 95%, and the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. The cost of the product is 2500 rubles.

• A large number of outlets;
• Nice price;
• Reusable temperature protection button;
• The presence of a signal indicator;
• High level of protection.

• Heavy construction weight.

XIAOMI MI Power Strip 3

This device is suitable for home use only. The design is made of high quality plastic that can withstand drops and high temperatures (no more than 750 degrees). The length of the network cable is 2 meters, and the light weight (350 grams) is considered a clear advantage during operation.

The body is fitted with 3 sockets of 10 A each, which are equipped with safety gates. For synchronization and recharging of mobile devices, there are 3 USB ports 2.2 A.The filter is capable of protecting equipment with a power of no more than 2500 W, which is classified as an advanced safety device.

The Power Strip 3 is regularly used as a standard carrier. In addition, it can be controlled using a mobile application that is available for download on the Internet. For secure attachment to any surface, the filter housing is equipped with several anti-slip supports. The safety device is fire safe as the system has a special NEC safety algorithm. In case of emergency, the software component automatically disconnects all equipment from the network. The device is capable of operating at low and high temperatures (-20 .. + 40 degrees). You can buy Strip 3 for 800 rubles.

• Light weight and small dimensions;
• Standard sockets;
• Low cost of the product;
• Rubber pads on the body;
• Multifunctionality;
• High strength body material.

• Chinese plug in design.

ORICO HPC 8A5U BK

This is a great option for those consumers who use several powerful electronic devices in the same room. The housing provides a two-row arrangement of sockets with a protective shield and grounding. In total, we get 8 connectors for standard plugs of 16 A. Thanks to this, you can connect high-power devices both in an apartment and in an office building.

The design has 5 USB connectors of 2.5 A. There is a fast charging function, so you can simultaneously charge several mobile gadgets. An additional option in the filter is protection against excessive charging, overheating and high voltage surges. The product weighs 960 grams and the cable length is 1.6 meters.

USB ports and standard sockets are located in such a way that during connection the plugs of the devices will not interfere with each other. However, it is worth remembering that if all the plugs are busy, then the charging process will take much longer. The cost of a surge protector is 2600 rubles.

• A huge number of outlets and modern ports;
• High quality insulating materials;
• High structural strength;
• Ideal value for money;
• Ability to withstand high loads.

• Not found.

POWER CUBE SIS 10

This model will be the ideal choice for those users looking for a filter with a long wire. Of course, the design is not very durable, but the case is able to withstand high temperatures. It is also worth noting the original appearance and versatility of the device. The filter can be wall or floor mounted as the cable is 3 meters long. The weight of the product is not too light - 1 kg.

The main features include the presence of 6 standard sockets of 10 A. Safety during operation is ensured by protective shutters. There is also an emergency switch in the housing. It is worth noting that the distance from the sockets is provided so that non-standard plugs can easily fit without interfering with each other. A special indicator light is integrated for warnings of unstable operation. The cost of the device starts from 1,700 rubles.

• Nice appearance;
• Long cable;
• Indicator light;
• A large number of outlets;
• Relatively low cost.

• Not found.

Output

For a successful selection of surge protectors, you should use the criteria that are given in this rating. It is necessary to observe safety precautions when using electrical appliances. It should be noted that the article is not of an advertising nature and was compiled for informational purposes only.