The biggest difference between an inverter and a fused protective strip is the simple fact that the inverter has a battery and the strip does not; This makes it a lot more expensive and takes up a lot more space, so there aren’t a few users who would rather do without a UPS but instead have a protective strip to protect their hardware from network problems. electric.
Why buy protective strips?
PCs are connected to the power supply, usually permanently. This means that they are a device particularly vulnerable to the electrical problems inherent in any installation and especially if it is old or of poor quality, and despite the fact that the power supplies already have various protection systems, they only work when the source is on. , so it’s never a bad idea to slip an extra shield between the electrical outlet and our precious hardware.
These protective strips incorporate a series of electronic mechanisms that not only avoid problems with overvoltage, but in many cases act as a filter to eliminate or dampen electrical noise and that the energy gets there, already basic, cleans much more l power supply, which will improve its efficiency and reduce its temperature by making your own filters less workload.
Why is a cheap power strip not worth it?
Having a PC almost necessarily involves the use of a power strip, since we are connecting not only the power supply but also the monitor (s), speakers, router and other electrical devices, so it would be quite difficult to get it. do so using wall outlets only. The point is, most people decide to go cheap and buy a “Chinese-style” power strip that costs just $ 5-6, but that’s clearly a big mistake.
If these bands are so cheap, they are for something: in addition to not having a protection system, they use poor quality materials and with rather bad welds; In addition, they connect the power outlets in line, which means that the load of all the outlets accumulates. This raises the temperature of the components which, if they are already poor quality in themselves, can end up causing short circuits and literally the tape can end up burning.
If you want to protect your precious PC hardware, then don’t hesitate and invest a little more in a UPS or a good protective strip: they will last you for many years and you can be sure that your hardware will be safe from the elements. . the power grid, which is not always as good as we would like.
The best protective tapes on the market
After explaining the above, we will tell you what, in our opinion, are the best protective strips you can buy; All of them use the highest quality materials and connections, are of well-known brands (especially those of inverter manufacturers, who know what they are doing) and, of course, are equipped with protective measures against electrical problems ( some of them even have insurance that compensates the user if any of the connected devices suffers from electrical problems because the power strip did not do its job well).
APC Surge Protector Performance
In all respects, this strikes us as the best power strip you can buy, and it has it all. It is manufactured by APC, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, the most renowned brand of electrical panels and components and whose inverters have been the best-selling for many years, so from there we know that we are faced with a power strip of the highest quality.
It includes eight outlets with a Schuko plug rotated 90 degrees for convenience and so the outlets do not collide, in addition to having a cable manager on one end for added convenience. Three of these outlets, labeled “Always on”, are intended for transformers while another, labeled “PLC Compatible”, is specially designed to connect PLCs without interfering with their data transmission.
In addition to that, it has a coaxial input and output to filter the antenna signal as well as network connectors for the same purpose. It supports up to 2,200 watts of peak power, goes up to 40,000 amps of amperage, and includes a lifetime equipment protection policy with compensation of up to $ 100,000 if a connected device experiences issues. electrical due to the power strip. It has a fuse that you won’t need to replace in the event of a power surge.
Brennenstuhl Premium Line
We are dealing with a tape that is manufactured to industrial standards and with the highest quality of construction and components. It incorporates a replaceable fuse, has 8 Schuko sockets rotated 45 degrees for easier connection and of course all have surge protection. It supports up to 2,200 watts of power and surges up to 30,000 amps, ideal for withstanding electrical storms and lightning strikes.
EATON protective housing
EATON is another manufacturer famous for its industrial inverters, which again stands for quality. This strip has 8 Schoko sockets, all protected against surges and lightning strikes, and also integrates two RJ-11 ports for the telephone line (filtered). This band also has double protection as it also incorporates line filtering, eliminating spikes and noise. It has a 2-year warranty and includes compensation of up to 50,000 dollars if any equipment connected to it is damaged due to a malfunction of the power strip.
Salicru SPS.Safe 7
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but still want surge protection, this power strip is one of your best options. Known for its inverters, Salicru is a brand which, although not having the quality of APC or Brennenstuhl, uses excellent solder in its parallel connectors and is a guarantee of proper operation. This strip provides 8 Schuko sockets rotated 45 degrees for convenience and has a cable channel on one end.
Belkin SurgeStrip
This is another inexpensive option but it is particularly suitable for users who do not want to have a strip of the large dimensions of the previous ones, as it provides six Schuko outlets (all with surge protection) in line and with a 45 ° rotated connector. degrees for convenience when plugging in.
Trust 21059
We’ve come to the end with the cheapest power strip on this list, but still quality, from a trusted manufacturer and with surge protection. If all the previous models seemed expensive to you and you weren’t convinced, don’t hesitate to buy this tape before a “Chinese” because at least you will protect your PC for very little money.
In this case, it has six Schuko sockets rotated 45 degrees for convenience, a stop switch and an LED status indicator.
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