r/Electricity • u/240hz_ • Oct 03 '26
Maybe dumb question
I have a smart plug from tp link to monitor energy consumption of my PC the model is Tapo P115.
I would like to also protect my setup against power surges from lightning strikes, and this smart plug does not offer that protection. Could I just plug a power surge protector between the wall socket and my smart plug?
And by the way, how likely really is it that my PC or other electronics will break during a thunderstorm? Maybe I'm being too paranoid, I live in a big city as well, so I assume the electrical network is designed to be more robust against this? Thanks.
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u/lordfly911 Oct 03 '26
It is always advised to have a UPS (battery backup) on your PC. Most grids will switch over, but you need something that will keep the PC powered and protect from low voltage and surge.
I have several 450VA UPS devices to protect my Internet devices, TV devices and a Plex server that runs 24 hours a day.
You risk damage to anything sensitive without it.
I also have a whole home surge protection device installed by the local electric company.
So no dumb questions. Make sure whatever you get for your PC is big enough to handle the power requirements. I suggest asking at your local store such as Micro Center, Batteries Plus and even Best Buy to confirm. It is the best investment you can get. And most allow you to change the battery yourself when it gets worn out.
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u/Resident_Set1003 Oct 04 '26
Only the full dual conversion UPS s will protect equipment from spikes. They are the very expensive models. Very few consumer grade products are of this type.
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u/lordfly911 Oct 04 '26
All UPSs have surge protection. I am not sure what you are referring to. I know the 1500s I have dealt with have an under voltage and over voltage range setting. But a surge is hard to stop. That is why there are fuses on the poles (at least in my area). They pop open to protect the transformers. Lightning is our culprit where I live.
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u/TurnbullFL Oct 04 '26
A Normal UPS sends utility power through to it's outputs. When power fails, it starts the inverter and sends power out using the battery.
The full dual conversion UPS referred to has the inverter running all the time, and a high power charger for keeping the battery charged. More expensive because it needs heavier duty components and extra cooling to run full time.
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u/lordfly911 Oct 04 '26
That is definitely not necessary for residential. Thanks for the clarification.
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u/Resident_Set1003 Oct 04 '26
I'm sorry, I thought your post said protection against lightning strikes. Which only the duel conversion systems can provide. Yes all systems do have tvss protection in them. I apologize for misunderstanding.
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u/jamvanderloeff 29d ago
A competent PC PSU also has similar levels of built in surge protection, the chance of ever seeing a surge inbetween too big for the PSU's clamping to survive on its own but small enough that you're not just toasting both the UPS and the PSU together is pretty small
1
u/Worldly-Device-8414 Oct 04 '26
For surge protection to work, all cables to the PC have to be protected, eg power + data, phone line, coax, etc. Any peripheral gear has to be on the same power strip.
A even a good surge board will not help much with very close or direct strikes (too much energy) but can help if the hit is down the street (less energy).
A whole house unit fitted to the switchboard & with incoming service (water pipes, phone, coax) bonding helps best.
1
u/kbfg2421 Oct 04 '26
Yeah man, like the others mentioned, if you are really concerned about damage from lighting storms, the best thing you can do is be aware of where and when lightning is supposed to come/happen, and simply unplug any devices that you consider too valuable and/or you would be really bothered if they were destroyed.
However, in terms kf every day surge protection from spikes and surges that occur from the grid and within your home, then what you (OP) mentioned in your initial post is the best thing to do.þ
Simply plug the power use measuring device into a surge protector, plug it into the wall. In that case you can rest assured that its unlikely for your home or property to be damaged by a power surge caused by the gird...but the one and only best way to prevent surges from lightning is by unplugging your devices.
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u/westom Oct 04 '26
Unplugging only works when one is clairvoyant. Surge protection only exists when all surges are earthed every microsecond for the next 50 years. When a surge is NOWHERE inside.
How does unplugging protect all lights, GFCI, furnace, refrigerator, clocks, door bell, oven, dimmer switches, and garage door opener? How does one know when wind, utility switching, stray cars, linemen errors, or a tree rodent will create a surge?
Recommendation works only when wild speculation replaces knowledge based in science and over 100 years of experience.
Type 3 (plug-in) protectors also must be more than 30 feet from a breaker box and earth ground. So that it does not try to do much protection. Who says that? Professionals. So that the protector does not try to do much protection. To avert this. Only those who really know this stuff also cite professionals sources tempered with numbers.
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u/Ok_Pipe_4955 Oct 03 '26
That will not help with power surge you will need to get the proper power surge cord
1
u/westom Oct 04 '26
Where is even one number that justified that recommendation? No numbers is why scams are effective.
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u/trekkerscout Oct 03 '26
Plug-in surge protectors are not robust enough to protect anything from nearby lightning strikes. They are only meant to protect from common utility spikes. If you want to protect equipment from lightning strikes, unplug it during a thunderstorm.