How to choose the right extension cord to connect your computer and equipment

Delicate foreign electronics do not always withstand exposure to Russian electrical networks. The Soviet-style wiring of most houses can cause short circuits and overloads, which can easily destroy a TV or computer. To combat such surprises, network filters are used. We will now tell you how to choose them and which 9 surge protectors deserve the title of best.

Surge filters: choosing the best

A surge protector is not just something you can carry with a light bulb. This is a much more complex device that does not just allow you to move the outlet away from the wall. The task of a surge protector is to protect electrical appliances from short circuits, overloads, as well as pulsed, low- and high-frequency interference. To do this, network filters use one or more lines of protection: capacitors, varistors, induction coils and fuses. That’s why surge protectors are much more expensive than regular carriers, and you need to choose them responsibly. What should you pay attention to when choosing a surge protector?

Number of sockets

Probably one of the main characteristics of a surge protector, and certainly the most noticeable. Everything is simple here: how many devices you plan to connect to the surge protector, choose as many sockets. It's best to take extra. For example, to connect a PC using the minimum program, you need three sockets: for the system unit, monitor and speakers. The router and table lamp are two more outlets. If you buy a surge protector for five devices, then there will be nowhere to connect the printer. In general, think ahead.

Maximum load

Standard outlets in most homes are rated at 16 amps. This parameter can be higher, but 16 is the standard for now. Accordingly, regardless of the parameters of the surge protector, you do not need more power than the outlet to which it is connected can withstand. Fortunately, modern surge protectors are equipped with protection against overheating and overloads, so nothing particularly terrible will most likely happen if this indicator is exceeded, but an overloaded filter will not work.

Power

This parameter, measured in watts, determines how many devices can be connected to the surge protector. Calculating the required power is simple: you need to add up the power consumption of the devices connected to the surge protector and add 15% to be sure.

Cable length and thickness

Everything is simple here: the heavier and thicker the cable, the better, usually. A large cable cross-section indirectly indicates thick conductors and/or powerful insulation, that is, the reliability and safety of the surge protector.

It is better to select the length with a small (half a meter to a meter) margin. A cable that is too long will dangle all over the house, and a cable that is too short may simply not be enough.

USB port

Nowadays, more and more network cables are equipped with USB ports for charging smartphones and other gadgets. The presence of such an interface is not mandatory, but a useful addition.

Options

Surge protectors provide more than just USB ports. As we said above, a surge protector is a complex device that is often provided with additional functionality. Some useful options include:

• grounding;
• switches on the body - common and for each socket separately;
• light indication of operation;
• curtains on sockets - protection from water, dust and curious children;
• mount for hanging on the wall.

You shouldn’t prioritize additional functionality when choosing, but it’s still advisable to keep it in mind.

When and where not to use extension cords

Contrary to what you may think about extension cords, there are times when they shouldn't be used, depending on the device and how far away it is.

First, extension cords may have a limited length. The thicker the wire (gauge), the longer the extension cord can be (up to 45 meters in the case of the thickest ones). This is why you hardly ever see extension cords longer than 25 meters, because the voltage loss will be too large and the connected device will not receive enough power, which will create a safety hazard.

Additionally, extension cords should not be installed inside walls and used continuously because they are unshielded and are not heat resistant like true electrical wire.

When it comes to using extension cords to power high-performance appliances like a heater or hair dryer, there's not much good news here. Most appliance manufacturers will tell you that you can't do this because a standard household extension cord is not rated for the power required by the appliance. However, this is usually not a problem if you use the right type of extension cord.

The best budget surge protectors

SVEN SF-05PL

An inexpensive device costing less than 500 rubles. Despite the modest price tag, the technical characteristics are quite decent: maximum load

2200 W with a current of 10 A. 5 sockets, each with its own personal switch. Grounding and light indication of operation are available. The cable is not the longest - only 1.8 meters - but at this price it is not lethal.

Price: ₽ 441

SVEN Optima Pro

The price of this model is slightly higher than the previous one - a little over 400 rubles. The technical characteristics for the maximum load are similar: power 2200 W, current 10 A. The cable length is the same - 1.8 m. There is both grounding and light indication of operation. The main difference is the number of sockets: there are as many as 8 of them. However, there is only one switch on the case, which is not very convenient, and the reliability of the only key raises some doubts.

Price: ₽ 418

ERA USF-M-4es-B

A surge protector from a domestic brand costs about 200 rubles. The model is very ascetic: 4 sockets, a switch and an LED on the body. Grounding, overload and short circuit protection are available. Maximum power - 2200 W. The length of the wire is only 1.5 meters, but the low price completely compensates for this drawback.

Price: ₽ 197

How the filter works

A surge protector device, which has a basic configuration, will not pose any difficulties in eliminating interference; it does this daily and repeatedly. The provocateur of such an impulse (a jump in the network) can be a static discharge of atmospheric electricity. For this reason, the filter is equipped, in addition to fuses against network surges, with a gas-discharge fuse, which responds to a wide amplitude and rapid impulse of atmospheric electricity.

Operating principle of the surge protector:

Operating principle of a surge protector

The filter device uses the resistance property of the induction coil, which can be expressed as follows: the higher the frequency of the current, the higher the resistance of the coil - this allows you to smooth out high-frequency interference (sine waves with short periods). For this reason, the filter has two coils, which are included in the neutral and phase wires. Low-frequency interference can be suppressed by a resistance having a nominal value of more than 1 ohm, which is also connected in series.

To eliminate short-term pulses, a varistor is built into the filter - this is a semiconductor element that, at low voltage in the network, acts as a resistance (resistor) and does not allow current to pass through. When the voltage rises, pulse currents pass through the varistor. In other words, in the filter it is connected in parallel with the load to absorb high voltage pulses, it smoothes out their influence.

Filter socket

A high-quality filter socket for electrical equipment should consist of the following elements:

• induction coils - two pieces, with a rating from 60 µH to 200 µH, which are connected in series;
• varistor with a voltage of 470 volts, which is connected in parallel with the load;
• capacitors;
• resistance from 1 Ohm to dampen low-frequency interference.

You can often find products on sale that pass off as a surge protector, but they cannot be such, since they do not contain the elements necessary for its operation.

The best surge protectors with USB

Defender DFS 755

For just 700 rubles you will get a surge protector for 5 outlets, with 2 USB ports and a cable length of as much as 5 meters. Grounding, overload protection and short circuit protection are available. There is a general switch on the body. The power is a textbook 2200 W. Reliable and functional budget model.

Price: ₽ 670

ERA SFU-5es-B

Another surge protector from a domestic brand. Cable 2 meters long, 5 sockets, 2 USB ports. Dust protection class IP20. The sockets are covered with curtains. There is a general switch on the body. Grounding, protected from short circuit, from impulse noise, from high-frequency noise and from overload. The price, however, is a bit high for such functionality - almost 600 rubles.

Price: ₽ 570

ERA USF-5es-USB-B

A model similar to the previous one, but cheaper - around 500 rubles. 5 sockets, 2 USB ports. There is grounding, surge protection, overload and short circuit protection. The maximum power is 2200 W, the current load is 10 A. The cable, unfortunately, is quite short, only 5 meters, so you won’t get around much.

Price: ₽ 494

APC by Schneider Electric PM8-RS

The surge protector of the famous American-French brand has an original placement of sockets - two rows of 4 pieces, rotated at an angle of 90 degrees relative to each other. This design is not always convenient when you frequently turn on and off power plugs.

The device is characterized by the presence of indicators for protection, overpower and grounding. They are very bright, so it is not recommended to place the PM8-RS model in the bedroom.

The case has mounting holes for mounting the surge protector on the wall. On the back side there is a groove for a wire with output in any direction - both to the right and to the left.

The best premium surge protectors

MOST Elite ERG

A very nice device in a neat, shock-resistant white case stands out against the background of its black counterparts. 5 sockets, cable length - 5 meters. Each socket has an individual switch (not counting the general one on the body). Light indication of operation. Grounding, impulse noise protection, thermobimetallic fuse. The degree of interference suppression is up to 30 dB, the maximum dissipated energy is 350 J. It’s not even a pity to pay more than 1000 rubles for such a thing.

Price: ₽ 1,280

Pilot Pro GP

A surge protector with a black and gray housing that looks like a space shuttle. There are 6 sockets and a network cable as long as 10 meters. Grounding, overload protection, short circuit protection, overheat protection inside the case. A very beautiful and reliable model from a trusted manufacturer: I remember the time when all surge protectors were called “pilots” precisely because of the products of this company. Against the background of all the advantages of this model, the price of more than 1,600 rubles does not even seem like a disadvantage.

Price: RUB 1,644

APC by Schneider Electric PM8-RS

White body, 8 sockets located in two planes. Cable 2 meters long. Maximum power 2300 W. Grounding, switch on the case, light indication of operation. Despite not having the richest functionality, this is the most expensive model in our selection - it costs about 2,500 rubles. An excellent and very reliable option for both home and office: it looks strict, works without interruption, and will last for many years.

Price: RUB 1,906

Rubetek RE-3310

A modern surge protector designed for use in automated control systems such as “smart home”. To enable this feature, you will need to download a free application that supports the Russian language. Rubetek RE-3310 is suitable for use in homes and offices where automated energy-saving scenarios are used when turning electrical appliances on and off.

The device is compatible with Apple HomeKit running on iPhone or iPad, as well as Google Home running on Android. Interaction is carried out via the WiFi 802.11 b/g/n protocol.

To control the operation of Rubetek RE-3310, the user can set scripts to run by timer or when a certain event occurs. The functions of turning on and off individual sockets and the entire USB block have been implemented. You can also manually turn off power to all sockets using the switch located on the case.

Comparison table of the best surge protectors

ERA USF-5es-USB-W

An inexpensive device from a Russian brand, made in China. Has minimal functionality. There are no protective curtains, so this model should be kept away from children.

According to user reviews, the USB outputs are located too close to the power button, so when connecting wires, the power may accidentally turn off. Another disadvantage is the minimum cord length – 1.5 m.

FAQ

How necessary is a surge protector for a home computer? So much so that without it it is better not to turn on the computer at all. A power surge or short circuit can turn an expensive appliance into a pumpkin. This is exactly what the surge protector protects against.

What parameters does a surge protector require for a refrigerator? The refrigerator does not need a surge protector; it is advisable to connect it directly to the outlet.

Can a surge protector protect an outlet from a short circuit in the device? That's what surge protectors exist for. Most of them are equipped with short circuit protection.

MOST Tandem TRG (black, 2 m)

A Russian-made model with the largest number of sockets among all the devices under consideration. However, the rated current of only 10 A imposes significant limitations on its full load.

The MOST Tandem TRG model has an original design. It is possible to mount it on a wall or other surface. Two autonomous blocks of three standard European sockets with grounding and two narrow ones without grounding. Each block is equipped with its own switch.

According to user reviews, this model is distinguished by good quality plastic and assembly. However, judging by the photo of the disassembled device, the soldering of the wires inside is not the best.

Power Cube SIS-10

A fairly high-quality filter made in China by a well-known company with a thoughtful design and functionality. There is a possibility of wall mounting. The cord is quite long - 3 m, which allows you to service devices located far from sockets.

One of the sockets is placed separately, which makes it possible to connect an oversized or non-standard plug to it. The indicators are bright, so it is not advisable to place the device in the bedroom.

The device switch is two-pole (phase and zero). Separate protection of all three lines – phase, neutral and grounding – is also implemented.

Comparison of a filter with a voltage stabilizer

A voltage stabilizer is an electronic device designed to protect devices from surges and surges in voltage, which can easily shorten the working life of the devices. And this fact makes it partly analogous to a surge protector. However, at the same time, the latter is often only part of a voltage stabilizer, which is much more complicated. The stabilizer is able to protect against the negative consequences of large voltage drops, while the surge protector is suitable only for small ranges.