Many people think because they look the same, they do the same and a power strip is cheaper so they usually default to that option. Home and office surge-protected power strips provide multiple electrical outlets to power devices from one location while protecting the devices from damage due to voltage increases. Only digits are allowed. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Not all surge protectors are the same. When theres a major surge, electrical appliances and devices can fry, melt, and malfunction. Look for power strips and surge protectors well-equipped for your computers and electronics as well as your space and environment. You'll also want to determine whether your power strip or surge protector should sit on the floor, affix to the wall outlet or sit on your desk. Be sure to review all of our computer and tablet accessories, including extension cords, to find the right equipment and accessories for your home, office or business. If you have sensitive devices that you want to protect from power spikes, a surge protector is the best option. But, surge protectors cost much more than a normal power strip because of the specialized circuit used to protect your electronics. Commercial and industrial surge-protected power strips are portable blocks of electrical sockets that supply power to multiple devices from one outlet while suppressing any excess voltage or line noise. Consider getting a portable surge protector for charging devices while traveling, too. 8739092, Item They have a flexible cord at one end that plugs into a wall outlet, and they can be unplugged and moved as needed. The distinction is that a surge protector will also protect the devices from a flux in electricity. 9574855, Item 7004615, Item Knowing what they are and what they do is a quick way to protect the electronics in your home. https://www.officedepot.com/images/us/od/refineloading.gif, Item Putting in too many devices that require too many watts can result in overheating, electrical failure, and even an electrical fire. Your device can also get overloaded if you plug in the wrong kind of device. Extension Cords, Power Strips & Cord Reels, Outside Patient Care Areas (UL 1449); Patient Care - Only When Permanently Mounted (UL 1363A); Patient Care (UL 60601-1). 847622, Item https://officedepotchat-en.custhelp.com/app/chat/BS2_reactive_chat_launch, 20% off your qualifying reg. It has a cable on one end, and nothing on the other end. 847604, Item The level of protection that you get is the biggest difference between the two. 950157, Item 9996325. Knowing where to put a power strip or a surge protector is a big deal. If you talk to an electrician before renovating your home, they can professionally install different surge protections throughout the house. 8709249, Item There are outlets for you to plug your devices in, and typically an on/off switch as well. A power strip gives you the ability to plug multiple devices into a single wall outlet. 2211226, Item priced purchase, 30% Back in Bonus Rewards on All Ink & Toner, Free next-business-day shipping on qualifying $45 order, Cordinate 4-Outlet 16-Gauge USB Extension Cord With Surge Protection, 10', Black/White, /contentSpecialLinks.do?id=protectionplan&template=blank, https://www.officedepot.com/images/us/od/, /account/v2/editBillingDisplay,/orderhistory/subsManager,/orderhistory/submitReturn,/account/accountSummaryDisplay,/account/loginAccountDisplay,/account/myfiles,/csl/listAll, https://request.eprotect.vantivcnp.com/eProtect/js/payframe-client3.min.js?d=20220802, GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 6' Cord, Black, GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 10' Cord, White, GE UltraPro 12 Outlet Surge Protector with 2 USB Tether, 8 ft Long Cord, 4320 Joules, Outlet Safety Covers, Black, 11824, GE 6 Outlet Power Strip 2 Pack, 2' Cord, White, 14833, Tripp Lite Surge Protector Power Strip 6 Outlet 6' Cord 360 Joules Black - 6 x NEMA 5-15R - 1875 VA - 360 J - 125 V AC Input - 125 V AC Output, APC Performance SurgeArrest 10-Outlet And 2-USB Surge Protector, 6' Cord, Black, P10U2, GE Pro 7-Outlet Surge Protector, 3' Cord, Black, 33664, Tripp Lite Surge Protector Power Strip 12 Outlets, 2 USB Charging Ports Tel/Modem/Coax - 12 x NEMA 5-15R, 2 x USB - 1800 VA - 4320 J - 120 V AC Input - Phone/Fax/Modem/DSL, Coaxial Cable Line, Tripp Lite Isobar Premium Surge Suppressor, 8-Outlet, 12' Cord, GE UltraPro 10-Outlet Surge Protector, 8' Cord, 41357, Monster 8-Outlet Surge Protector, 6, Black, 2MNAC0949B0L2, Belkin Home/Office Series Surge Protector, 12 Outlets, 10' Cord, 3996 Joules, Phone/Ethernet/Coaxial Protection, Tripp Lite Protect It! If theres a surge, then your expensive TV can get fried and destroyed. They are portable and can be unplugged and moved to another location as needed. You can think of it like a valve that only kicks on when higher than normal electricity is detected. Not only will a surge protector keep these expensive devices alive, but theyll also allow you to plug in many devices in a small area. Maximum amount of digits: 6. If youre looking for a low-cost way to add devices to a single outlet and easily turn them on and off, a power strip will get the job done. Any of these scenarios will temporarily disrupt how much electricity is flowing to the devices around your home. A surge protector can be used for any reason that a power strip can be used for. Also called surge suppressors, these lightweight strips plug into a wall receptacle and are suitable for use with printers, computers, audio/video equipment, and other electronic devices in residential and commercial environments. For computer equipment, laptops, entertainment systems and more, power strips and surge protection strips provide the flexibility and protective features you need. This is a bad choice because power surges can destroy your electronics. Essentially, an under-sized surge protector is just a power strip since it wont save your devices. Have a place to plug everything in and protect it wherever you are - at home, at work or while traveling. Surges can vary when it comes to how serious they are. Maximum amps is the highest amount of electrical current at which a product can safely operate. Major surges are less common, and they usually happen during a thunderstorm. When you call Rytec, well take a look at your property and give you expert advice. That is, as long as you pick the right one. Another reason to use a power strip is because theyre so easy to turn on and off. They are typically used in office and commercial settings to power computer systems and hardware, modems, fax machines, and phones. Choose from hundreds of options tailored for various uses to find the perfect power strip for your circumstances. Additionally, the power delivered from your electric company doesnt always provide a smooth stream of electricity. It often comes with irreversible damage. 133471, Item Think about how many sensitive electronics are used: a computer, printer, fax machine, and monitor. The product will be reserved for you when you complete your order. Need Help? You can easily find a good power strip or surge protector for less than $30. 2931616, Item Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Youve probably heard someone talking about a surge protector or a power strip in the past, but youre not positive what the difference is between them. Standard wall outlets around your home only have two sockets so what happens when you want to plug in three devices? 3001925, Item For example, do you need a power cable with grounded outlets, and if so, how many? You might encounter a power strip in a number of different places. Surge-protected power strips are portable blocks of electrical sockets that supply power to multiple devices from one outlet and protect the connected devices from damage due to unexpected voltage increases. The purpose of a power strip is to give you extra outlets to plug things into. For conference rooms, consider round tabletop surge protectors, which have outlets for multiple staff to charge their devices while seated around the conference table. 151500, Item Also called surge suppressors, their plugs and receptacles are specifically designed to help protect patients and staff and comply with regulatory codes, making them suitable for use in both patient-care areas (medical-grade) and nonpatient areas (hospital-grade). With that said, a surge protector works in this case too, if youre willing to spend some more money. Also known as surge suppressors, these blocks include both standard outlets and ports for data cables, such as USB, coaxial, or telephone cables. They consist of a flexible cord with a plug on one end attached to a block of sockets that devices plug into. Amperage, or amps, measures the rate at which electrical current flows through a circuit or electrical system. Not to worry, well tell you all about it. You can find these in residential or commercial applications alike. After learning about both of these products, you might wonder what the difference is. Something like a lightning strike is considered a major surge. As you probably figured out by now, there is a lot of overlap between these two items. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), 8 ft. 6-Outlet Surge Protector with 45 Degree Flat Angle Plug, Black, Revolve 3.4 4 Rotating Outlets with 3 USB, 6-Outlet Wall Mounted Surge Protector, White, 6 ft. 7-Outlet Surge Protector with USB, White, 6 ft. 12-Outlet Surge Protector with Coax and USB RJ45, Black, 6 ft. 15-Watt 3-Outlet Surge Protector USB-A 2.4 Amp USB-C 400 Joules Braid Cord, 6-Outlet Wall Mounted Swivel Surge Protector with USB, White, 15 ft. 10-Outlet All Metal Surge Protector, 6 ft. 8-Outlet Surge Protector with Coax and USB, Black, 6-Outlet Wall Mounted Surge Protector with USB, White, 6-Outlet Wall Mounted Swivel Surge Protector, Black, 8 ft. Cord 6-Outlet 2 USB-A 2100J Surge Protector. To take advantage of exclusive offers like these, join Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards now! What Appliances Use the Most Electricity? 542766, Item For high-powered devices like an AC unit or a fridge, you might even use a commercial-grade surge protector in your home. Click the compare checkbox by 1 to 4 items and click the 'Compare' link again. Small surges and micro surges will also do damage over time. This is where a power strip comes in handy. A higher number indicates greater protection. The wires and circuits inside of your devices will slowly degrade before the unit stops working. Access My Account, Order History, Lists and more here. Who doesnt love extra outlets? A power strip is something you might have seen a thousand times already. Many options have a single on/off switch that will kill power to all of the connected devices. For reference, floor heaters should never be plugged into a power strip. A surge protector is a type of power strip which is specifically designed to withstand a power surge and keep your electronics safe. Its not a huge difference, though. Its worth mentioning that most surge protectors work just like a power strip, many times they look like a really buff power strip. Some power strips and surge protectors plug directly into wall outlets, some have just a few outlets, and some have a couple of dozen outlets. Do you need a surge protector that includes spaces for a fax or phone line as well? If youre not sure, the wattage is printed somewhere on the power strips box and on the bottom side of the strip itself. This protection is measured in joules, which is a unit that tells you how much energy is getting through. If your protector is under-sized, your devices can still fry from an especially big power surge. These power strips are commonly used in healthcare environments to power multiple devices in patient rooms, treatment rooms, and administrative areas as well as on mobile workstations and carts. A surge protector is typically more expensive than a standard power strip. 175362, Item For that reason, its hard to say one is way better than the other. Its a long strip with a bunch of outlets in it. They are suitable for homes, offices, medical facilities, and industrial environments where protection from power spikes is a priority. A surge protector's joule rating determines how much energy it can absorb before it fails. The truth is that your home might go through a dozen small power surges a day. A power surge is when your supply of electricity is interrupted. Copyright Rytec Electric 2018 2022. Lets talk about them and answer any questions you might have. 348125, Item A few bucks on a surge protector can save you hundreds or thousands in damages. 950178, Item 513843, Item Sign In to access your account information. All Rights Reserved. 583999, Item You might think these are very similar to power strips, but there are some big differences. 170940, Item Putting a surge protector in the right place can save your expensive electronics. Its almost like comparing a million punches from a kid versus a single punch from a bodybuilder both of them definitely do damage. Now that you know more about power strips, lets talk about surge protectors. 562025, Item They have a certain amount of surge that they can protect you from. If you want any protection at all, you need a surge protector. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. This is really important to keep in mind: A power strip offers no additional protection. Things like dishwashers, TVs, computers, and washing machines are all susceptible to a power surge. Note: Product availability is real-time basis and adjusted continuously. A surge protector is designed to create a protective barrier around the products plugged into the protector. The idea of a surge protector might be a little confusing at first. This promotion is for Rewards members only. It keeps your devices safe against small or large surges because surges happen a lot more often than you realize. Since these are all expensive items, it shows you how important a power surge really is. Thank you, you will now be redirected to comparisons. 4369989, Item In a typical 120V home, a standard power strip can handle up to 1800 watts (the same as the wall outlet). Also called a surge suppressor, the surge protector absorbs the excess voltage and diverts it to the ground wire, preventing it from reaching the connected equipment. 847595, Item This should be expected since it offers a level of protection. Hospital and medical surge-protected power strips provide multiple electrical outlets in one block to power devices while protecting them from power spikes. Its a matter of an extra 5 or 10 bucks. Keep in mind, power strips can only handle a certain amount of watts. Redirecting this power means your device wont get fried. HomeResidential ServicesCommercial ServicesEmergency ServicesLocationsContactPay Now! For workshops and other harsh working environments, look for a power strip designed to accommodate more extreme conditions, with added safety features. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Your devices rely on a steady stream at all times. The biggest use for a power strip is getting more sockets to plug devices into. A surge protector is a type of electrical socket that believe it or not protects your device from a surge.They use a specialized circuit that redirects spikes of electricity right into the ground without going through the electrical device. Power surge can happen when a big appliance turns on (like your AC unit or fridge), when lightning strikes, or when an electrical transformer is hit by something.