Does electricity still run through electronics if the surge protector is turned off?
Betsy R asked:
I understand that if an electronic is turned off (but still plugged in), electricity still runs through it. Is this the case if the electronic is plugged into a surge protector or power strip and that is turned off?
This entry was posted
on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Other - Electronics.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I understand that if an electronic is turned off (but still plugged in), electricity still runs through it. Is this the case if the electronic is plugged into a surge protector or power strip and that is turned off?
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I don’t think it does.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
The power switch on a power strip that has an surge protector will turn off all power to anything that is plugged into that power strip.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:38 am
If the switch is opened on the surge suppressor then no. Make sure to get a good surge suppressor cheap models wear out but still work but offer no protection.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I agree with flapjack (see above).
Get the ones with the equipment warranty and I usually find the ones with the LEDs (lights) that show if the protection is still intact and the outlet ground is working. I like Belkin & Tripp Lite Brands.
The switch turns off power and the ground is still connected and so is the neutral side (the switch usually only opens the hot side).
Hot — 115 volts above ground (America)
Neutral — 0 volts above ground (America)
Ground — connected to frame of grounded equipment through electrical cord and building ground at circuit box
220 volt systems do not use this wiring
March 4th, 2009 at 7:06 am
No, if the circuit breaker on the surge strip is turned off, none of the electronics plugged into the strip will normally be energized. However there is an exception: it is still possible for an electrical spike such as lightning to jump the strip’s circuit breaker and fry your electronics. That’s why it’s best to always unplug your expensive electronics during a bad storm.