Point of use products provide a second line of defense. Homeowners can reinforce the protection provided by a point-of-entry protection device by installing surge protectors (strips) and low-voltage surge suppressors.
Surge protectors plug into grounded wall receptacles where sensitive electronic equipment is located. These devices defend electronic components against surges from outside, and internally generated transient events (surges) that travel through AC power lines. Low-voltage surge suppressors defend electronic components against surges from outside, and internally generated transient events (surges) that travel through phone, data, and coaxial lines. These plug-in protectors generally have much lower limiting voltages than entry protectors, and provide better protection for electronic equipment.
As a homeowner, where do you install these devices? Simply put—anywhere you’ve got expensive or sensitive electronic equipment like computers, VCRs, fax machines, PCs with modems, satellite systems, stereo systems, copiers and scanners. Start by physically inspecting each room to determine which electronics need point-of-use surge protection, what kind of lines and how many plugs you have, and what type of signal lines are connected to each system. As a rule of thumb, all types of equipment with signal lines, such as phones, cable TV, and satellites, should be equipped with low-voltage surge suppressors, which are specially designed to protect the signal lines.
The payoff is well worth the cost and effort of installing surge protection devices. It’s far less expensive to invest in protection than it is to replace costly equipment. How do you know which surge protector to purchase? Review "How to Know if You've Got the Good Stuff" to ensure you are investing in quality equipment.