The same is true of TP-Links smaller Kasa Smart model KP303. We follow that up with five consecutive surges of 5,000 volts and average those results. Like the other Tripp Lite models weve tested, this one is backed by a lifetime warranty. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Plus, its extendable USB hub feature is hard to maneuver and not all that useful (it seems like a gimmick).

Please try again. A surge protector does much more than supply extra outlets. The downside is that they can cost more than 10 times as much to replace as our top picks. Similarly, if you cant get the SK30USB, or if you want more USB-A ports, consider the Tripp Lite Protect It Personal Charging Station with 3-Outlet Surge Protector SK34USBB. The Accell Powramid and Accell Powramid Air are older versions of the Accell Power Air. The Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV has an auto-shutoff feature that powers down the unit permanently when it has worn out and is no longer able to block power surges. Alternating current (AC) voltage centers around 120V, but it cycles or alternates from -170V through 0V to +170V and back again; 120V is the rough average. Plus, it has a sturdy aluminum body and an 8-foot cord. We like the Accell Power Air for light-duty use around the house, even though its UFO-like looks might be off-putting for some. Joules provide a rough basis of comparison thats nearly impossible to test in lab conditions, as youd have to simulate a variety of surges over long periods of time with multiple identical units of each model. Tried to install this using a screwdriver to tighten the screw around the wire, the screw broke. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. But you should replace these subpar options as soon as possible and be thankful that they didnt catch fire or damage your electronics (PDF). The Insignia TV is a Best Buy brand that comes with a great warranty. Some protectors thus only stop power passing through if that critical junctures MOVs die. If you want something that offers solid protection in a small packagesay, to power a few appliances and a couple of smartphones on your kitchen counterget the Tripp Lite Protect It 3-Outlet Surge Protector SK30USB. Weve added information on two types of surge protectors were interested in testingones with replaceable components and ones that prevent trickle chargingto the What to look forward to section. It also has an auto-shutoff feature, making it one of just a few small, portable surge protectors weve found with this capability. Insignia offers a one-year or 365-day warranty. 1 star is the worst and 5 stars is the best. We considered several common factors for three scenarios: a home-entertainment system, such as a TV, disc player, streaming media box, and receiver system; a home office or cubicle with a desktop computer and peripherals, including monitors and hard drives; and an on-the-go option, if you want to travel with a multi-outlet strip that also gives you piece of mind, especially in hotels and conference rooms, where you dont know what kind of power will be provided. ns surge protector insignia specs Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. 1. We looked for models in each of those subcategories that had several specific traits, including the following: Over the years, weve also identified certain features (marketing ploys, essentially) that you can safely ignore: Filtering our candidates through these requirements left us with a short list of six models to test against our existing picks in 2021: In the US, wall outlets nominally provide electricity at 120 volts, but most electronic devices can handle more, allowing them to operate on the 240-volt standard used internationally.

Additionally, weve asked Lee Johnsonan electrical engineer with more than 15 years of experience designing and testing electronicsto put our picks and new contenders to the test in six separate rounds of testing since 2016. In contrast to many comparable models, its compact size, grounded (three-prong) plug, and optional screw in the center of the unit help keep it firmly attached to the wall outlet, which is important for preventing electrical fires or shocks. But its one of the most expensive and least protective options weve tested, and its not UL or ETL listed. Here are our top picks in several categories. You can compare surge protectors durability, or the period over which the MOVs will remain effective, by looking at the number of joules advertised for the product. Specifications Warranty Terms - Parts 1 Year Warranty Terms - Labor 1 Year Height 4.69 inches Width 2.94 inches Depth 1.81 inches Weight 0.3 pounds Product Name 2-Outlet In-Wall Surge Protector Brand Insignia Color White Color Category White Model Number NS-HW120S18 ENERGY STAR CertifiedNo Cord Length 0 feet USB Port(s) No Number Of Outlets 2 Coaxial Protection No Fax Protection No Joule Rating 1080 joules Modem Protection No Phone Protection No Child Safety Covers No USB Charger Included No Indicator Light(s) Yes Amperage15 amperes Voltage 125 volts UPC 600603213878. Plus, our maximum-protection pick from Furman, which is a hybrid model that costs less than true series mode options, produced similar results in our testing. Power always flows, but the light turns off. Instead, you need an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), most of which have built-in surge protection.

Depending on the age of a utilitys systems and how frequently lightning strikes occur, however, surges and huge spikes might be regular occurrences. The Tripp Lite Protect It 12-Outlet Surge Protector TLP128TTUSBB failed to measure up to our top pick during testing, letting more than twice as many volts slip through.

Were also interested in testing advanced power strips, such as those from TrickleStar or Bits Limited, which are designed to automatically cut off power to nonessential devices when theyre not in use. In an area with erratic voltage, your surge protector might wear out in months or a few years; on other electrical systems, it might last indefinitely. Joules measure how much energy is expended; the more joules, the more energy. The TLP825 has four fewer outlets than the TLP1208TELTV and no coaxial or phone ports. The best power strip for travel in North America is the inexpensive Accell Home or Away Surge Protector (aka Tripp Lite Protect It 3-Outlet Surge Protector). With six AC outlets and two 2.4-amp USB ports, the Power Air packs a lot of protection into a compact design. So although such a unit should be able to prevent damage to kitchen appliances, table lamps, and other electronics that are less sensitive to surges, youd probably still want to use a plug-in surge protector for high-end computers and AV equipment. Here is a list of some of the things GeekSquad will cover: Although you do not need to register your Insignia TV for a basic warranty, or an extended warranty, their benefits still differ.

Belkins 12-Outlet PivotPlug Surge Protector (BP112230-08) wont cut off power when it can no longer protect your devices, but it does offer low clamping voltage (330V on all legs). The resulting figures effectively tell us how many volts would be able to reach and potentially damage your devices at home. These devices allow you to replace a single component, rather than the entire surge protector, when its protective capabilities have worn off. In our testing, the PST-8 repeatedly allowed just 40 volts of a 5,000-volt surge to pass through to its eight outlets. All surge protectors will wear out over time. However, it lacks an auto-shutoff feature, so itll keep working long after its surge protection wears offputting your devices at risk of damage from power surges. To separate fact from fiction about surge protectors, our team at Wirecutter reached out to experts in multiple fields while writing the original version of this guide. (Furman says these units are often used by touring musicians and therefore subject to more wear and tear than household surge protectors, hence the comparatively short warranty.). We also looked at smaller units designed for kitchen outlets or bedside tables, as well as series mode and hybrid models for people who want the highest level of surge defense. Unlike TP-Links product, Belkins device has been selling for more than MSRP lately. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. So in an exactly equal situation in the same house with routine surges, a unit rated for 1000 joules should last half as long as one rated at 2000 joules. In testing, this surge protector was one of the best at preventing extra voltage from reaching its outlets. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Theres little reason for anyone to leave their office, den, or home theater unprotected, or to hang on to old, worn-out surge protectors. Does it offer advanced features, such as USB charging? Some surge protectors include telephone and coaxial pass-through connections for protecting DSL and cable-/satellite-TV connections. Industry reports and testing indicates these protections are effectively pointless, so we didnt consider their presence or absence in our testing and reviews. Now, without looking again, is the protection light still lit? With a three-wire outlet, which is required for surge protectors, those are line, neutral, and ground. In other words, for every 100,000 customers, only five have needed to repair or replace their units, and Furman says in all instances the damage was physical breakage (dents, cracks, or parts snapping off) rather than an internal failure. The surge protection components inside wear out a little more with each surge, and theres virtually no way to know how much protection remains. It wont be extended if you choose to register your Insignia TV at a later date than purchase. Will buy more for wall outlets that need surge protection but do not have a lot of devices plugged into it. This prevents your switched-off electronics from slurping small amounts of electricity throughout the daya common phenomena known as trickle charging, phantom charging, or vampire chargingand helps keep your utility bills low. Weve been asked about Amazon Basics surge protectors, but we havent tested any because the models weve seen dont have an auto-shutoff feature. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Better to lose power than to let a surge through. If youre using the SK30USB at home, it also has a screw that you can insert directly into the wall (replacing the screw in the middle of your wall outlet plate) for an even sturdier fit, but we dont recommend doing this if youre planning to use the unit for travel. Absorbs a high amount of energy to adequately protect your equipment and prolong the life of the unit. I confess that I only learned this in 2016; I checked mine, and had to replace one a few months later when that light suddenly disappeared. Many surge protector manufacturers offer limited warranties for damage to things plugged into the protector if said damage stems from voltage passing through to the device. Thats the biggest choice youll face, and we consider it in all the surge protectors we review. The company also claims that the PST-8s circuit design has led to a repair-replacement rate below 0.005% since it was introduced. We liked the TLP1008TEL a lot better when it was selling for much less than APCs product. This means that, once the protection wears off, your devices will be vulnerable to surgeswhich defeats the purpose of buying a surge protector in the first place. Older surge protectors were typically designed around the concern that computers had spinning hard disk drives (HDDs) inside, and that it was better to lose surge protection and keep providing power than to drop AC power when protection had failed. If you have pricier-than-average gear, though, these trade-offs make sense. The low-profile shape (about 7 inches in diameter and 2 inches high) is more practical than most for sliding it under nightstands or end tables where space is at a premium.

But if you dont mind those drawbacks, it has all the key features our picks offer (UL certification, an auto-shutoff mechanism, and a lifetime warranty) and four USB-A ports, which is more than weve found on any other small, portable model weve tested. If you are accident-prone or unlucky, consider buying the extended warranty. It has a three-prong plug, as well as a plastic rod that fits into the bottom hole of the second outlet, ensuring a snug connection. Thats just 10 more volts than our top pick let through, which means most devices you plug into it will be well protected in the event of a common household surge. Our top pick will protect most equipment in most cases. If you want a surge protector for your home office or entertainment setup, the Tripp Lite Protect It 12-Outlet Surge Protector TLP1208TELTV is your best choice. Updated July 18, 2022 to add a link to our Meross Smart Wi-Fi Surge Protector review. That puts it in the same class as our top picks, though their results were closer to 200 volts. Weve provided a sentence about warranties in each review, just so youre informed, but dont count on collecting unless youre a good record keeper.

A proper ground wire in an outlet connects back to a grounding rod for an entire home or building that drains voltage literally to the earth. We attach each model to an EM Test NX5 surge generator to produce surges from 200 volts to 5,000 volts in 100-volt increments along each of the three legs of the wiringline-to-ground (L-G), line-to-neutral (L-N), and neutral-to-ground (N-G)and record the resulting output that would be passed along to any devices plugged into the surge protector. The Insignia warranty will not cover: If you are overseas and get your hands on an Insignia TV, you might not be so excited to know that the warranty for the product will not apply to you. And its sturdily built overall, with an aluminum body and a long, 8-foot cord. It provides all the safety features you need, plenty of outlets, stellar surge protection performance, and noticeably nicer build quality than weve seen on other units weve tested. Some of the surge protectors have an LED that lights up if its not, or you can purchase a cheap plug-in detector from a hardware store. To further demonstrate the importance of using a surge protector, Johnson subjected a (very old) Dell LCD monitor to a 5,000-volt surge, both with and without protection. In general, all Insignia TVs will cover the following under warranty: There is a laundry list of circumstances that the warranty will not cover as with any warranty. The date the warranty begins is the date of purchase found on your receipt. The circular outlet layout makes the Power Air usable with a variety of plug sizes. The unit has half as many AC outlets as our top pick, but six is sufficient for a light-duty surge protector.

(If that describes you, read our guide to our top UPS picks.). All six of its outlets can be controlled and scheduled individuallyand with a polished mobile app, no lessand you can also control any of them with voice commands. Lee Johnson, a veteran electrical engineer, set up our testing parameters for this guide, which weve repeated with the same equipment each year since 2016.

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