Frequently Asked Questions - Surge Protectors
Q: How do I test my surge protector?
A: After unplugging all equipment from the surge protector, plug the surge protector into the wall outlet. Make sure that all indicator lights function according to the enclosed instruction manual. To test that there is power flowing to your surge protector, turn off the surge protector and plug a lamp into the unit. If the unit did not operate as specified, check the wall outlet.
Q: How do I hook up my surge protector?
A: Plug the surge protector into a powered wall outlet. Be sure the switch on the surge protector is set to OFF by pushing down on the "OFF" side. Connect equipment into the outlets on the surge protector. Be sure to plug in your phone/fax or TV/coax if surge protector has this option. Turn the surge protector ON by pushing down the "Reset" side of the switch.
Q: What is a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)?
A: Metal Oxide Varistor is a protective component that absorbs energy when a certain voltage is reached, and it dissipates that energy through heat. For Power Sentry surge protectors, that voltage is 330V.
Q: What is Power Blocker?
A: MOVs may degrade over time and use, especially if they are absorbing energy near or exceeding their ratings. Even when the MOVs are no longer protecting, most surge protectors continue to provide AC power which may result in potential damage of your connected equipment. Power Blocker surge protectors shut themselves down once they have exceeded capacity, so equipment is not exposed to further surges.
Q: What is a Joule?
A: A Joule is a measurement of energy (1 joule equals the work needed to produce one watt of power continuously for one second). The joule rating of your surge protector is based on the number of MOVs (metal oxide varistors) inside the protector. A higher number of joules should equate to a higher ability to absorb spike or surge energy. Each MOV has a rating and when you add these all up, you get the total number of joules.
Q: What is Clamping Voltage?
A: Clamping voltage is the maximum voltage allowed to pass through the circuitry to the connected equipment when tested with the UL test surge. 330 volts is the lowest rating allowed by UL and the rating must be stated on the unit. The lower the number, the better. Other allowed ratings are 400, 600, 800 and 1000. Some manufacturers use a rating called "let through voltage" to present appearances of superior performance, but UL does not validate this terminology.
Q: What is a surge/spike?
A: Most of the damage caused by over-voltage "power events" is caused either by longer-duration, high-voltage transients (surges) or shorter-duration transients (spikes) entering via the power mains. Surges and spikes can reach 3000 to 6000 volts.
Q: What does the red light mean?
A: The red protection light indicates that your surge protector is providing surge protection to your equipment. If the red light is out, it means that the surge protector has been damaged by a severe surge and a new one should be purchased.
Q: What does the green light mean?
A: The green ground light on your surge protector verifies that the surge protector is connected to a properly grounded outlet and the wiring is okay. If the green light is out, it means that the outlet is not properly grounded or the "Hot - Neutral" is reversed and the surge protector will not be able to properly protect your equipment. In this case, you should try the unit in other outlets to see if they are faulty or the unit is faulty. You may have to contact a licensed electrician to have the wiring in your outlets or home checked and corrected.
Q: What do I do if the phone is not working when plugged into the surge protector?
A: Unplug and reinstall the phone/fax input cable on the surge protector. If that doesn't work, plug the phone/fax directly into the phone wall jack. If the phone/fax works in the wall jack, the surge protector has been damaged by a surge or could be defective (phone/fax protection circuits are separate and not related to the indicator lights). If the phone doesn't work, check your phone in another outlet as you may have a defective phone.
Q: How do I register for the warranty?
A: There is no registration process for the warranty. If you have an incident where connected equipment is damaged, then please contact us to place a claim under the warranty. Proof of purchase will be required for all connected equipment claims.
Q: How can I reset the surge protector?
A: If the surge protector has a reset button, push down on the reset side of the button. If it does not restore operation, disconnect or turn off all connected equipment and try to reset again.
- If the surge protection indicator light is not operating at this point, the protector has been damaged and should be replaced.
- If the surge protection indicator light is operating at this point, reconnect each piece of equipment one at a time to find the cause of the problem.
Q: 300 Series - what does the green blinking light mean?
A: Most likely, the green light bulb is malfunctioning. As long as you know that the outlet you are using is grounded and the red/orange light is still lit, the surge protector is still working and you will still be covered under the warranty.
Q: If my outlets aren't grounded, can I use an adapter?
A: No. Your surge protector must be directly plugged into a three-pronged grounded outlet. If you use an adapter, the warranty will be void.
Q: Can I daisy chain surge protectors?
A: No. Surge protectors must be plugged directly into a grounded outlet to work properly. (Underwriters Laboratories prohibits daisy chaining.)
Q: What is the purpose of the pin on model #100226?
A: The pin is designed to support the surge protector. The plugs should go into the top outlet and the pin should insert into the bottom outlet ground hole for support.
Q: What does the adapter/transformer size plug do?
A: The adapter/transformer size plugs are spaced for your convenience so that you can use adapters or transformers without covering up other outlets on the surge protector.