Patent ID: 7019954

Claim:
A universal surge protector for protecting a portable notebook computer (“notebook”) and an associated power adapter from harmful electrical disturbances occurring on an alternating current (“AC”) power line when the notebook is powered by a direct current (“dc”) battery voltage generated by a power adapter while coupled to an AC power service over the line and neutral sides of an AC power line, the surge protector comprising in combination a higher rated voltage and current diverting and absorbing semiconductor device (“diverting and absorbing device”) coupled across the line and neutral sides of an AC power line for protecting a notebook and a power adapter from harmful electrical disturbances while the surge protector is coupled to a higher rated AC power service by an AC power line, a lower rated diverting and absorbing device for diverting harmful electrical disturbances from a notebook and a power adapter and a switch for coupling the lower rated diverting and absorbing device across the line and neutral sides on an AC powerline in parallel with the higher rated diverting and absorbing device for protecting a notebook and power adapter from harmful electrical disturbances while the surge protector is coupled to a lower rated AC power service by an AC power line.