Damage caused by supply quality.
WHAT DAMAGES EQUIPMENT
Voltage that is too high or too low Sudden spikes Frequent interruptions Poor waveform from cheap inverters
WHAT LOW VOLTAGE DOES
Causes motors and compressors to draw more current and overheat.
WHAT AFFECTS THAT MOST
Refrigerators, air conditioners and pumps.
WHAT HIGH VOLTAGE DOES
Damages electronics, sometimes instantly.
WHAT SPIKES DO
Destroy power supplies and control boards.
WHAT PROTECTION EXISTS
Voltage stabilisers, which correct supply within a range Surge protection, which absorbs spikes Uninterruptible supplies, for sensitive equipment
WHAT A STABILISER DOES NOT DO
Protect against surges, unless it also includes surge protection.
WHAT SURGE PROTECTION DOES NOT DO
Correct sustained voltage problems.
WHY THAT MATTERS
They address different problems, and both may be needed.
WHAT TO PROTECT FIRST
Anything expensive or hard to replace: servers, network equipment, medical devices, refrigeration.
WHAT TO CHECK ABOUT SURGE PROTECTION
That it is rated for the job That it indicates when it has been used up
WHY THAT SECOND POINT
Surge protectors degrade and stop protecting silently.
WHAT TO REPLACE
Protection after a significant event.
WHAT TO ALSO ADDRESS
Earthing, which most protection depends on.
WHY
Without proper earthing, protection cannot work.