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What is a good clamping voltage for surge protector?
400 volts
The faster the response time, the better the protection. One nanosecond or less is ideal. Clamping voltage indicates the voltage level at which the surge protector will attenuate the surge. A lower clamping voltage is preferred, and the best surge protectors do not exceed 400 volts.
What does UL mean on a surge protector?
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rates the clamping voltage of surge protectors. The lower the rating, the better the protection. The lowest UL rating for clamping voltage is 330 volts. UL tests household surge protectors at 500 amps.
What is UL clamping voltage?
Clamping voltage refers to the maximum amount of voltage that can pass a surge protector or electrical breaker before it restricts further voltage from passing to a device or computer. It is a process through which a device or equipment is protected from electrical surges.
What is a UL 1449 surge protector?
UL 1449 is the Underwriters Laboratories Safety Standard for Surge Protective Devices (SPD). Surges are rapid increases in voltage and current that can occur on AC or DC power circuits that can damage equipment attached to these circuits. The surge voltage drives high current down the power line.
How do I know if my surge protector is UL approved?
Be sure that the product is listed as a transient voltage surge suppressor. This means that it meets the criteria for UL 1449, UL’s minimum performance standard for surge suppressors. There are a lot of power strips listed by UL that have no surge protection components at all.
Is 1200 joules a good surge protector?
A unit with up to 1000 joules of surge protection is adequate for these small electronics. A surge protector with 1000 to 2000 joules will provide sufficient protection for power tools and office equipment such as printers, copiers and routers.
What’s the difference between UL and ETL?
The main difference between UL and ETL listed products is that ETL doesn’t create its own standards for certification. UL develops standards that are used by other organizations, including ETL. Both are Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories(NRTLs). They serve as non-governmental labs that operate independently.
What does the UL rating on a surge protector mean?
There are three levels of protection in the UL rating — 330 V, 400 V and 500 V. Generally, a clamping voltage more than 400 V is too high. Energy absorption/dissipation – This rating, given in joules, tells you how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. A higher number indicates greater protection.
What should the voltage of a surge protector be?
Clamping voltage – This tells you what voltage will cause the MOVs to conduct electricity to the ground line. A lower clamping voltage indicates better protection. There are three levels of protection in the UL rating — 330 V, 400 V and 500 V. Generally, a clamping voltage more than 400 V is too high.
Which is better a low or high clamping voltage?
Clamping voltage is the amount of voltage it takes to gets the surge protection to kick in—the lower the voltage, the better the protection. It doesn’t matter how many joules your surge protector has. If it has a high clamping voltage, even a small power surge can still damage your devices.
Can a surge protector be plugged into an extension cord?
Do not plug a surge protector into a power strip, extension cord or other surge protector. Install surge protectors in dry locations indoors. Do not use a surge protector with aquariums. Make sure the surge protector can handle the current amperage requirements of the devices used with it. Do not exceed the electrical rating of the surge protector.