Worth saying this to people out there who may not know how surge protection works:

[elizafox@social.treehouse.systems]

Worth saying this to people out there who may not know how surge protection works:

Most “surge protectors” are not surge protectors. Not because they’re worthless, but because of a simple fact:

Most are just power strips in the same housing (dishonest, but they don’t care). Especially Amazon QUANGZSHIZZZI specials. Especially eBay (why would you buy brand-new electronics off eBay). AliExpress purchase? That’s asking for it.

Most sold online are power strips literally LYING or hoping you don’t notice or care. Most literally say “power strip” and hope you didn’t pay attention.

Even the ones at the store. Especially the ones at the store. Walmart “power strip” specials but it LOOKS like a surge protector so you think “I’m protected.” You are not.

For power strips, I do not mean “there is some protection” I mean “we rely on God and the user to ignore the label.” They’re relying on you going by shape and “it looks the part.” Like a North Korean Kim Jong-Un lookalike, not the real thing but looks convincing enough for the media.

Is it illegal? Arguably no. Nobody who matters has died yet, and people who matter don’t usually buy cheap shit. Cynical but true.

Power strips can be fine, if you know what they are and they’re reputable: copper, not protection. Same level as “I plugged it into the wall.”

The ones that DO protect you:

* Should say “surge protector” not “power strip”
* Protection can range from “robust, fail open” to “eventually fails closed or degrades or dies one day” (MOV protectors are like this) to “it might eventually blow open or just shunt a lot of current and trip the breaker eventually… or blow a fuse if it has one… or the poly fuse will trip if it has one...”
* Often won’t protect you against things like lightning (which is a bastard)
* Most rely on rare events being rare and you replacing it before you realise the sins they committed

Now what I usually say is “trust certified surge protectors and check what they are.”

As for certification:

* I prefer UL certified. UL usually means “won’t burn your house down” and “it’ll do what it says, mostly.” UL are pretty reliable and ferociously protective of their trademark. Like “they’ve shut down Chinese factories” level of protective. In store you can usually trust it. But online… “UL listed” can often be a lie. And they know you won’t check. And Amazon’s business model is less “we don’t wanna get sued” and more “caveat emptor.”
* Intertek can be good but sometimes I have seen shit certified by them that shouldn’t have been… trust but verify
* “CE” is unfortunately close to meaningless due to uneven enforcement and self-declaration
* Check reviews and listings. Always. If it’s a no-name, look it up.