What is overvoltage protection and why is it so important?
Extension leads or adapters with surge protection - protection that is worth it - protection that is worth it
The internet no longer works? Or the TV won't turn on after a thunderstorm? It doesn't matter whether you are at work, work from home or just want to relax and enjoy the evening after work. The annoyance is great afterwards when electrical appliances are destroyed by so-called overvoltages. In addition, there is the hassle of clarifying with the insurance company whether they will pay for the damage at all. Overvoltage damage is not always covered by household contents or homeowners insurance.
The solution is quite simple: power strips with surge protection and surge protection adapters. Multiple socket strips with surge protection can reduce voltage peaks so that the connected devices are not damaged. Avoid damage to your electrical devices with surge protection products!
How does surge protection work with extension leads?
The components and protective elements such as varistors and gas arresters in the extension lead ensure that dangerous overvoltages are diverted to earth within fractions of a second, so that the destructive high voltage cannot reach the protected electrical appliances.
Structure of surge protection in the case of extension leads
Overvoltage protection modules consist of various electrical components, the correct selection and arrangement of which provide for a high-quality protective function:
- Varisators (voltage-dependent resistors)
- Gas discharge valves (encapsulated spark gaps)
- Thermal fuse
- Overvoltage protection indicator
What are overvoltages?
Overvoltages are all voltages that exceed the limit value of the mains voltage for a short time. Surges can occur not only in the 230 V network (normal household mains voltage), but can also reach the connected devices via telephone or antenna lines. Surges first affect the sensitive system parts. The tiny electronic circuits on circuit boards, motherboards, network cards, etc. cannot cope with additional current and voltage peaks. Without effective protection, the overvoltages destroy sensitive electronic components in the circuits of the connected devices.
The cause of the overvoltages can also be, for example, switching pulses of strong motors, welding equipment or other large electrical appliances. The most dangerous causes are very high voltage peaks triggered by indirect lightning. They mean the end of unprotected electrical appliances. Surges also enter the mains through indirect lightning in enormous current strengths. Or they reach computer systems, video and hi-fi equipment via the telephone and antenna lines and destroy electronical devices without appropriate protection such as surge protection.
Why is surge protection so important?
Protection against overvoltages and current peaks can be achieved by using equipment protection products that are used between the power supply (socket) and the device. Protective elements, such as varistors and gas arresters, are important components that ensure that dangerous overvoltages are discharged to earth within fractions of a second, thus preventing the destructive high voltage from reaching the protected devices.
At brennenstuhl® we only use high-performance modules that can be combined to form a wide range of products. A well thought-out selection of protection gradations offers the right product for every need. With a maximum sum of leakage currents of up to 120,000 amperes, brennenstuhl® can offer absolute top performance.
- Lightning strikes can cause surges in the power grid, which is why connected electrical appliances such as coffee and kitchen machines, televisions, internet routers and computers could be damaged. Especially in the summer months, the risk of lightning and thunder is much higher than in winter.
- The number of expensive electronic devices in private households has risen sharply in recent years. In addition, electrical appliances are becoming smaller and more powerful, but they also react more sensitively to surges.
- The financial damage and annoyance is great afterwards when expensive electrical appliances such as televisions, computers or kitchen machines are damaged by lightning strikes and surges. To avoid these surges, a surge protector can reduce the voltage peaks that occur to a level that is not dangerous for the end device.