A momentary rise in voltage, starting inside or outside a home, it can fry sensitive electronic equipment like computers. Most surges occur when devices with motors, such as hair dryers, shut off. The energy being consumed by these devices is diverted elsewhere in the form of excess voltage. Surges also happen when the electric company switches power from one geographic area of the grid to another as supply and demand in the region changes. The best, least expensive way to deal with most sources of power interference is to plug sensitive, electronic equipment into a surge suppressor.
Suppressors work by absorbing some of the electrical surge and diverting the rest to ground.
When shopping for a surge suppressor, look for the following three things. A UL 1449 rating, ensuring the suppressor can reduce a 6,000V surge, for example, to a harmless 330 to 400V one. An internal fuse, allowing suppressors to break the circuit if the surge of power last longer than what they are designed to handle, preventing the surge from reaching connected devices. A solid warranty, covering the cost of any damage to the equipment connected to the suppressor. There are also a few extra features that you might want to check for, depending on your equipment.