No. 10 – SVEN SF-05PL
Price: 820 rubles
A good filter at an affordable price. The cable length here is decent - three meters, there are five sockets. A distinctive feature of the solution, due to which it looks more interesting than most competitors, is the presence of individual switches. It’s not even worth mentioning how convenient it is. Another advantage is plastic, which does not emit unpleasant odors during operation, since the body does not heat up.
The inexpensive device copes with its task perfectly well; many buyers report in reviews that it has been serving them faithfully for several years now. Considering how much the filter costs, it has no significant disadvantages.
SVEN SF-05PL
No. 9 – InterStep SP-306W
Price: 770 rubles
Our 2021 surge protector rankings move on. The budget model has 6 sockets, as well as two USB ports. The presence of the latter will allow you to charge smartphones and other gadgets without occupying an outlet. However, its distinguishing feature is the enhanced surge protection unit. The manufacturer claims that thanks to it the filter is 10 times more reliable than competitors at the same price.
Another advantage of the cheapest representative of the selection is considered to be its ergonomic design, which allows you to hide wires from connected devices. Most often in reviews, owners complain about the length of the cable - it is only 1.8 meters.
InterStep SP-306W
#7 – Pilot Pro GP
Price: 1,400 rubles
Surge filter from a domestic brand. His presence is not due only to patriotic feelings. The device can show the owner that he has inserted the plug the wrong way. There is also an inverted phase indication. The main advantage is protection. The device guarantees the safety of equipment in the event of power surges and impulses. In the event of a short circuit, the fuse will burn out, but it can be replaced.
There are six sockets in total, with two for flat plugs. The filter housing is made of impact-resistant plastic, and the tires are made of metal. This ensures tight contact of the plug in the sockets. For ease of placement of the wire, a special removable element is provided. The cable length is a controversial point - 1.8 meters. Otherwise, there are no shortcomings; in terms of price-quality ratio, this is an excellent option.
Pilot Pro GP
Technical features of the surge protector
Most models of surge protectors are designed for a maximum electric current of 10A. A fuse is installed with this in mind. This is quite enough to connect a PC and its peripherals. But it may be completely insufficient if you connect an electric iron, microwave oven, etc. to the surge protector. powerful devices.
You cannot connect such devices to the surge protector. You don’t need to think of a surge protector as a banal extension cord.
We connect a computer, laptop, tablet, TV, router, printer, charger for a phone or smartphone to a surge protector.
The rest, including irons, heaters, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, are never connected to the surge protector. It is not intended for this!
Why do you need to smooth out voltage drops for an iron? This won't make him stroke any better. Or why protect a vacuum cleaner from high-frequency interference that it itself creates?!
How to choose a surge protector for your computer?
When choosing, you should pay attention to the following points:
- surge protector wire length,
- on/off button with light,
- number of sockets,
- not to be confused with a regular extension cord.
A little about the electrical wire of the surge protector. The standard length of the surge protector wire is 180 cm, although there are models with 3 and 5 meter wires. Models with a long cord are more practical. At the same time, if a large length of wire is not needed, then it is better to take a model with a shorter wire. This way, unnecessary wires will not “dangle” around the apartment or office.
There is also the surge protector on and off Very convenient, you can turn the surge protector on and off without removing the surge protector plug from the socket. Especially if the outlet is located in an inconvenient place, under the table, near the baseboard, behind a cabinet, etc.
Again a light indicating that the surge protector is turned on and off is also an important and useful detail. You can always clearly see whether the surge protector is on or off. If the computer does not turn on, first check whether it is connected to a 220V network! A warning light comes in handy here.
The number of surge protector sockets is also an important feature. There should be enough sockets to connect all the components of your computer: system unit, monitor, printer, router, scanner, etc. Otherwise, additional extension cords will be needed, which will lead to chaos of wires. It’s better to calculate everything in advance and choose the appropriate surge protector model.
And further.
Do not confuse a surge protector with a regular extension cord with several outlets. Externally, these devices look very similar, it is difficult to distinguish.
But ordinary extension cords do not perform any functions of protection against voltage surges and interference. At the same time, extension cords can also have a switch with a light bulb, which makes them even more similar to surge protectors. And in terms of price, extension cords are usually cheaper than surge protectors, since there are no electronics inside them that protect the computer from power surges and interference.
You need to know this!
The surge protector protects computer equipment from surge voltage surges and high-frequency interference. Most often, it is through it that the computer is connected to the electrical network. But no matter how high-quality the surge protector is, it cannot provide 100% protection against all shortcomings of the household electrical network.
Only a voltage stabilizer and some models of UPS in Russian (short for Uninterruptible Power Supply) and UPS in English can cope with the task of 100% protection of computer equipment from problems with household electrical networks.
No. 6 – Most EHV
Price: 1,200 rubles
The Most EHV model is at the equator of the top network filters. It is equipped with five sockets with an individual switch for each. Overheating protection is provided by a thermobiometallic fuse. It is quite reliable and in reviews the owners report that it really copes with its task.
Each of the outlets has a ground connection, so there will be no interference or other problems. The brand confirms its confidence in its creation with a three-year guarantee. The cord is long - 6 meters. This is one of the best indicators in this segment. The model is popular in Russia, which is not surprising - it is really worth attention.
Most EHV
How does a surge protector work?
Resistors have nothing to do with the type of current that passes through them. However, inductance is strongly affected by the voltage frequency. The whole point is the reactance of the capacitance. When a current with a high frequency is supplied to the coil, its resistance continuously increases. This effect is called inductive and, ultimately, it is used as a basis in the production of network filters. As a result, it is able to cope with small and large period sinusoids that lead to high-frequency interference. For best effect, use two coils. They equally take on the load from the sinusoids. One coil is located in the neutral conductor, and the second is in the phase conductor. Depending on the model of the surge protector, the inductance varies. One coil can withstand from 50 to 200 µH.
No. 5 – APC by Schneider Electric PMF83VT-RS
Price: 3,990 rubles
Experts agree that the model is one of the best not only in the brand’s lineup, but also in its segment as a whole. It is equipped with eight sockets, each of which has grounding, as well as protective curtains. The cord is quite long - three meters, the optimal indicator.
The protection here is well thought out - the filter ensures the safety of the data transmission line, filters electromagnetic interference and radio frequency noise, and protects against impulse noise and lightning strikes. There is a rotary wire clamp that rotates 180 degrees. Thus, you will not have problems with the placement of the device.
APC by Schneider Electric PMF83VT-RS
No. 4 – Brennenstuhl Alu-Office-Line 60.000A 4
Price: 5,500 rubles
One step away from the top pedestal, where the best surge protectors are collected, is the Brennenstuhl Alu-Office-Line model. In addition to the stylish design, which looks even more impressive in real life than in the photo, the model has two USB ports for charging gadgets. True, there are only four sockets here, which may scare off many. True, they are of the highest quality and ensure tight contact with the plug.
Many people note in reviews that the model is capable of protecting devices from impacts with a maximum leakage current of up to 60,000A. The cable routing is well thought out and ensures ergonomic placement of the filter. It is noteworthy that the sockets are located at an angle of 45 degrees and are suitable for angled plugs.
Brennenstuhl Alu-Office-Line 60.000A 4
How to choose a surge protector?
To protect your computer in your home, you need to choose a high-quality surge protector.
The price of a regular model fluctuates around 100 rubles. However, they cannot guarantee a high degree of protection for a personal computer. Network surges are sometimes quite high, so you need to choose a more powerful surge filter. “What is it and how to choose it?” - a question that interests many. The cost of such a device will definitely be more than 100 rubles. When choosing a surge protector in a store, you need to familiarize yourself with its parameters specified by the manufacturer on the packaging. As a rule, it is said about the cable length, the surge voltage, the maximum limiter, as well as the number of sockets available. The cable size must be selected based on the conditions in which the computer is used. If it is located far from the outlet, you should take this into account and choose a larger cable. The main thing in this matter is to hide it securely. Needless to say, a damaged cable can result in a short circuit throughout your entire home. Also, if something is poured on it, it will cause the system to fail. Considering all of the above, it is better to choose a larger network cable and install it closer to the wall. However, access to it should be limited. Using office clips, the remaining cables need to be collected and secured together. In this case, it will take up minimal space and can be used absolutely safely. Manufacturers usually produce cables ranging in size from 2 to 5 meters. In most cases, this is enough to connect all devices. The impulse noise parameter ranges from 3500 to 10000 A. The best surge protector will have a high rating. When purchasing a surge protector, you need to pay attention that its maximum current is not lower than 10 A.
No. 3 – Energenie EG-PMS2-LAN
Price: 7,000 rubles
Many professionals recommend this surge protector if you are looking for a device that can provide excellent protection for your computer. This is an advanced model, which is equipped with four sockets with grounding and curtains. It is noteworthy that turning them on and off depends on events occurring on the computer - starting or shutting down Windows, turning on certain programs. Thus, unused devices will not consume electricity.
There is an RJ-45 network interface, which is the main distinguishing feature of the filter from previous competitors in the rating. Due to this, you can program all four sockets individually and control them from your smartphone, wherever you are.
Energenie EG-PMS2-LAN
No. 2 – Brennenstuhl Premium-Protect-Line
Price: 13,300 rubles
One of the newest models of network filters. It has a durable matte aluminum body that does not overheat and does not emit unpleasant odors. The device is economical because all slave devices are switched off in standby mode and do not waste electricity. There are 11 sockets here, and a master-slave connection is implemented by the device. Thus, when you turn on the computer, printers, monitors or other peripherals will automatically start.
The Master Slave power strip is surge protected, protecting your equipment from network disturbances such as power surges, indirect lightning strikes or line noise with a maximum total leakage current of up to 120,000. The disadvantage is the high cost.
Brennenstuhl Premium-Protect-Line
Why do you need a surge protector?
Many people ask questions about a surge protector: “What is it and what is it intended for?”
To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the theory. The current passing through the home network is alternating and is classified as sinusoidal. This name comes from the word "sine wave", which looks like a wavy line. The voltage in the network, just like the wave, constantly decreases and increases. Smooth fluctuations occur in the range from –300 to +300 volts. If you look at the parameters of the current in the outlet, you can see sharp jumps and large voltage amplitudes. All these impulses can make household appliances in the apartment completely unsuitable for further use. Most often, audio centers, televisions and, of course, computers are affected.
№1 – Supra Mains Block MD-06EU Switch
Price: 17,000 rubles
For anyone who doesn’t know which surge protector to buy, we recommend Supra Mains Block MD-06EU. The new product is a top representative of the market. The device provides a reduction in radio interference by 40 dB, the conductors are made of oxygen-free copper, and a continuous supply of 3680 W of power is supported. For all these indicators, the filter is a flagship and has no analogues. The gadget protects the owner from interference and top-end speaker systems from negative influences.
If necessary, the device can be mounted on the wall. There are 6 sockets, each grounded and has curtains. Three-way overvoltage protection - between phase and ground, zero and ground, phase and zero. The only downside is the price.
Supra Mains Block MD-06EU Switch
What it is
Users often confuse filters, mistaking them for the most ordinary extension cords, since they have practically no differences in appearance. At the same time, their purpose is similar to uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
They differ in that the filter protects against network interference and power surges, but will not be able to support the operation of volatile equipment during a power outage. Whereas a UPS can provide your computer with autonomous power without a network.
The surge protector is designed to solve the following problems:
- control and stabilization of voltage pulses (jumps) (can cause the computer to reboot without saving data or swelling of the capacitors);
- smoothing out high-frequency interference that occurs in the electrical network when there is a large number of simultaneous connections of powerful equipment (usually accompanied by blinking lights).
Jumps and interference occur all the time, but they are not always felt on the equipment. In this case, one of the impulses may be too strong, which can lead to breakdown.
In addition, if you use a regular extension cord, then if the load on the electrical network is exceeded, the socket may overheat and melt, whereas when using a voltage stabilizer, this and many other problems can be avoided.
