Best Surge Protector Comparison

High Quality, High Performance Panel Surge Protectors3-Phase Surge Protectors

Note: Our SPD manufacturer (SSI) provides surge protector comparison testing via surge generator and industry standard surge test protocols. Test results include scope shots, scope data and summary.

SSI tests and has tested numerous name brand and lesser known competitor SPDs (Total Protection Solutions, APT, Square D, Erico, LEA International, Innovative Technology, Eaton, Cutler-Hammer, Liebert, Current Technology, AC Data, Raycap, Transtector, Joslyn, Redi-Volt etc.) at their CSA ANSI/UL 1449-2006 certified testing facility in Brooksville, FL. They also conduct device testing for attendees during IEEE accredited Continuing Education Seminars/Courses.

These courses also discusses current SPD designs, protection modalities, surge environments and other related subject matter. The course is open to engineers, building managers, executives, electricians, maintenance managers and the like. If interested in attending a seminar near you to learn more about SPDs and/or to gain continuing education credits in the future click here.

Surge protector comparisons can be difficult, especially if discussing product literature or marketing claims vs real world application results. Product specification sheets are helpful if familiar with the product nomenclature. However, most readily available data is called "marketing material" for a reason.

Performance claims can be tough to verify, especially if you don't have a surge generator to test the Surge Protective Device (SPD) via test protocols to validate marketing materials.

After all, performance claims are usually why one product is purchased over another isn't it? Furthermore, one usually wants the purchase to perform as advertised right?

Otherwise, why buy it?

High Performance SPD vs. General Marketplace SPD

Why choose High Quality, High Performance SPDs over other SPDs?

High Quality, High performance SPDs offer:

  • Multiple Protective Technologies
  • Multiple Redundancies
  • Multiple Fusing Stages
  • Multiple Connection Capabilities
  • Multiple Disconnect Options
  • Multiple Enclosure Options
  • Multiple Status Notification Options
  • Encapsulation Technology
  • Solid State Designs: No Moving Parts

These compact sized, solid-state constructed SPDs deliver:

  • Greater Quality
  • Greater Performance
  • Greater Protection
  • Greater Life-Cycle
  • Greater Warranty
  • Greater Value

From our experience, High Quality, High Performance surge protectors deliver better results then the average, commodity driven SPDs found throughout today’s market place.

Plug-In Surge Protector Comparison

High Quality, High Performance Plug-In Surge ProtectorPlug-In Surge Protector

It doesn't matter if the SPD is a panel application unit for industry, business, residential or the everyday direct connect outlet surge protector.

Circuitry design, type of components and quality of components in SPDs are important. Many times, a number of these components may be similar. However, combining components, number of components and design application are typically quality and performance separation points.

Below is an example of three different outlet surge protectors that were used to protect the power side of a general home network. All three units use similar concepts and share some similar components to achieve protection.

This surge protector comparison demonstrates differences in SPD designs, SPD marketing claims and SPD performance through a very simple and basic test...

Real World Application.

In The Field Application: SPD Real World Comparison

This comparison is called in-use or Real World. Its the result of three different SPDs put in-use over a 5 year span to protect the power side of home network electronics.

The units in this surge protector comparison make similar protection claims. However, the claims and results were not similar during the test period. In two of the three cases a "protected" piece of equipment was damaged and failed.

All three Units Include:

  • 6 Outlets
  • 3-Foot Cord
  • 120 Volt/15 Amp Circuits

Basic Unit Marketing:

  • Unit 1: Surge Protector – Computer/Electronics Protection
  • Unit 2: 585 Joules; 36,000 Amp Maximum Spike Current; EMI/RFI Filtration; All Mode Protection
  • Unit 3: 60,000 Amp Peak Surge Current; Discrete All Mode Protection; Frequency Responsive CircuitryTM  (Enhanced SineWave Tracking).

Units Marketed For Electronics Protection:

  • First unit was purchased from a Big Box electronic store
  • Second unit was purchased from a Computer Store
  • Third unit was purchased from the manufacturer

Equipment Protected:

  • One Laser Printer
  • Two PCs
  • Two Monitors
  • Three Routers (one at a time)
High Quality, High Performance Plug-In Surge Protectors. Get the Right Gear!

Best Surge Protector Comparison Results

Effective and dependable surge protection is available in the marketplace. The trick however, is determining what effective and dependable actually means, comparatively speaking.

Quality and quantity of components, types of components used and quality of design, determine effectiveness. Again, this is true for both Panel Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) and plug-in units.

All surge protectors are not created equal. Although at times, marketing material and performance claims seem to take you in that direction. Some product marketing materials are accurate and others not so accurate. How the SPD functions when installed in Real World Applications is what counts.

Remember: all three plug-in devices were marketed as providing Electronics Protection.

Real World Application plug-in power surge protector comparison results.

Return From Surge Protector Comparison to Best-Surge-Protector Home