What’s the difference between a power strip and a surge protector?

Power strips and surge protectors look similar, but they function very differently.

• Power strips have several sockets on a shared bar that plug into one outlet. Power strips do NOT provide surge protection. Be sure you are relying on the appropriate device for protection.
• Surge protectors can help prevent damages to your electronics. The point-of-use surge protector protects only the items that are directly plugged into the device from most electrical surges.

Notes:

• No surge protection device can handle a direct lightning strike. The best surge protection is to unplug devices from the wall if you suspect a surge might be coming.
• Power strips and surge suppressors don’t provide more power to a location, only more access to the same limited capacity of the circuit into which it is connected.