Max. power
The highest power consumption of the connected devices that the surge protector can tolerate without consequences (to be more precise, with which it can work indefinitely without overloads, overheating, etc.).
This limitation is due to the fact that the higher the power at the same voltage, the higher the current passing through the equipment (in this case, through the surge protector); and off-design currents can lead to breakdowns and even accidents. And although in order to avoid these consequences, modern filters often provide various types of protection (see above), however, the operation of protection is still an emergency situation that is best avoided. Therefore, it is worth choosing a model according to this parameter in such a way that the maximum filter power is at least not lower than the total power consumption of the load. And it is best to have a margin of 20 – 30% — this will give additional guarantees in case of various deviations in the operation of the connected equipment.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the situations when the filter is planned to be used for the so-called reactive load — electrical appliances that widely use circuits on capacitors and/or inductors, for example, power tools or refrigeration units. The total power consumption of such devices (written in volt-amperes) can be much higher than the active power (which is indicated in watts). The recommended line filter power in such cases is calculated using special...formulas that can be found in the relevant sources.
Max. energy absorption
The maximum energy absorption provided by the mains filter, namely, the maximum pulse energy at which the device can safely absorb and dissipate it, completely protecting the connected load. The higher this indicator, the more reliable the filter, the more powerful power surges it can handle. In inexpensive models, the maximum absorption is calculated in tens of joules, in the most advanced models it can exceed 1000 J and even 2000 J.
Wire section
The cross-sectional area of the wire used to connect the filter to the network. The larger the cross-sectional area, the thicker the wire, the more reliable it is and the more current it can pass without overheating. Accordingly, thick wires (
1.5 mm² and
2.5 mm²) are a must for high power devices. At the same time, modern manufacturers, usually, choose the cross-sectional area in such a way as to guarantee the safe operation of the filter at the claimed maximum power (see above). Therefore, in fact, a model with a thicker cable than other similar devices should be chosen if it is supposed to be used in unstable networks in which power surges often occur. If the cross-sectional area seems too small for you (
0.75 mm² or
1 mm²) for the claimed power, there are special formulas that allow you to check the validity of such doubts.
USB A
The number of
USB ports for charging, provided in the design of the surge protector.
Such ports do not perform any other function than powering and charging external devices such as smartphones or tablets. The presence of such connectors in the surge protector can be especially convenient when there is no “230-to-USB” adapter at hand, and there are few USB ports in a computer or laptop and using them for charging is “an unaffordable luxury”.
Max. charging current
The current output by a USB connector when a charging gadget is connected to it.
The higher the current, the faster the battery can charge. However, when choosing, note that in order to use a high current strength, the connected device must also support it. Basically there are
USB with a current strength of 2.1 A,
2.4 A and
3 A.
It is also worth noting that when using several USB ports at the same time, the current strength is significantly reduced.
Power (with 1 device)
The maximum power that a USB port can produce when connecting only one gadget.
Higher power output speeds up the charging process. At the same time, there are a number of nuances associated with this parameter. Firstly, the appropriate power must be supported not only by the port, but also by the gadget being charged - otherwise the speed of the process will be limited by the characteristics of the gadget. Secondly, to take full advantage of the capabilities, you may need to support not only the appropriate charging power, but also a specific fast charging technology. Thirdly, in filters with several charging connectors, the maximum power per device can only be achieved if the other ports are not used.
Safety socket cover
The presence
of protective shutters from children in the design of the surge protector.
Such curtains are shutters that cover the current-carrying parts of the outlet and restrict access to foreign objects (most often, curious children try to put such objects into the outlet — hence the name). The design of the dampers is most often such that they open only under the pressure of the plug, when two contacts press on the curtains at the same time.
Socket plugs
Placement of plugs in sockets of an extension cord or surge protector relative to the device case.
-
at an angle. Seats with holes for plugs in such models are rotated at an angle of about 45 ° relative to the plane of the case. Such an option for placing plugs allows for convenient inclusion of plugs so that they do not interfere with each other and do not overlap adjacent slots.
—
Parallel to the body (180°). The holes for the plugs in this layout are arranged in sockets parallel to the body of the extension cord or surge protector. Large plugs are included in them perpendicularly, i.e. at an angle of 90° from the side of the "tail" with a network cable in relation to the axis of the device body.
—
Perpendicular to the body (90°). A fairly rare form factor that involves the placement of seats for a plug with a plug perpendicular to the axis of the device case. As a rule, openings at an angle of 90 ° relative to the housing are found in models for compact flat plugs and in surge protectors of atypical form factor. They can also coexist with sockets where the holes for the plugs are located at an angle.
- At an angle and parallel to the body. Combined variant of the layout of the holes for the plug, combining sockets with seating at an angle and parallel to the axis of the body of the extension cord or surge protector.
- At an
...angle and perpendicular to the body. A variety of network filters and extension cords with different arrangements of holes in the mounting sockets. Most of them are placed at an angle with respect to the axis of the body, and one or more - perpendicular.
