TL;DR: Use a surge plug or surge multiplug (R84–R265) on TVs, PCs, decoders and chargers. Use a voltage protector (about R131) on fridges and freezers, because they need protection from low and high voltage, not only spikes. Use a UPS (from R611) on PCs and the fibre router so they keep running through a power cut.
No plug-in device survives a direct lightning strike. In a storm, unplug what matters most.
What does a surge protector actually do?
A power surge is a short spike in voltage, far above the normal 230 V. In South Africa the usual causes are nearby lightning strikes during summer storms, and the power coming back on after an outage or load reduction. A surge protector contains components (usually metal oxide varistors) that divert the extra energy to earth before it reaches your appliance.
Two numbers tell you how much protection you’re getting:
- Joules (J): how much energy the protector can absorb. Higher is better. Basic adaptors are around 150–450 J.
- Surge current (A): the largest spike it can divert. For example, the Ellies High Surge Protection Plug is rated to absorb up to 16,500 A on live and neutral.
Surge protectors wear out. Each big spike uses up some of their capacity. If yours has a “protected” light that has gone off, or it took a hit in a storm, replace it.
Which type of protection do I need?
| Device | Protects against | Use it for | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surge plug | Spikes, on one appliance | TV, decoder, gaming console, single PC | R84 |
| Surge adaptor or multiplug | Spikes, on several plugs at once | TV cabinet, desk with PC, monitor and chargers | R104 |
| Voltage protector | Spikes, plus voltage that’s too high or too low, with a restart delay | Fridge, freezer, washing machine, pool pump | R131 |
| Mini DC UPS | Power cuts (keeps a router running), plus spikes | Fibre router and ONT | R467 |
| UPS | Power cuts, spikes and dips | Desktop PC, NAS, small server, alarm panel | R611 |
| Data line arrestors | Spikes travelling down coax or phone lines | DStv satellite cable, telephone/ADSL line | R31 |
Why a fridge needs a voltage protector, not just surge protection
A fridge’s compressor is damaged by low voltage (brownouts) and by restarting too quickly after the power returns, more often than by spikes. A voltage protector cuts power when the voltage leaves a safe range, and waits before reconnecting.
The Gizzu Voltage Protector 16A (R131) disconnects below 180 V or above 265 V and waits 90 seconds before switching back on. It also includes 160 J of spike protection and a digital voltage display. It’s rated for fridges, freezers, washing machines, TVs and PCs.
Best surge protectors for TVs, PCs and home offices
| Product | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ellies High Surge Protection Plug | One appliance, 6-stage protection, built-in mains tester | R84 |
| Ellies 4-Way Medium Surge Adaptor | Four sockets from one wall plug | R104 |
| Electrosense 16A TV Surge Protector Plug | Single plug for the TV | R169 |
| Ellies 4-Way Surge Adaptor with USB-A + USB-C | 2× 16A + 2× SANS 164-2 sockets, 458 J, USB charging, safety shutters | R200 |
| Aerial King 8-Way Surge Multiplug | Eight sockets for a full TV or desk setup | R265 |
| Ellies 4-Way Surge Multiplug with USB | Multiplug with USB charging | R265 |
Our pick for a desk or TV cabinet is the Ellies 4-way adaptor with USB-A and USB-C. It handles the PC, monitor and phone charger from one wall socket, and its rating is printed on the box: 458 J.
Don’t forget the cables that come in from outside
Lightning often enters a home through the cables that run outside, not the plug socket. That includes the satellite dish cable, the phone line and outdoor network cables. A surge on the dish cable can kill a decoder that is plugged into a protected socket.
- DStv satellite surge protector, R63.
- Voltex telecom surge arrestor plug for the phone line, R31.
- Solar installations need AC and DC surge protection devices, such as the Solarix AC SPD (R531) and the Solarix DC SPD (R425). These are fitted in the distribution or combiner box by a registered electrician.
When do I need a UPS instead?
A surge protector does nothing when the power simply goes off. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) has a battery, so a desktop PC keeps running long enough to save your work and shut down properly. Most UPSs also filter spikes and dips.
- For the fibre router: the Gizzu SURF Simple mini DC UPS (R467). It has a 55 Wh LiFePO4 battery and 12 V/9 V/5 V outputs, runs a router for up to 6 hours, and adds 744 J of surge protection.
- For a desktop PC: the RCT 650VA line-interactive UPS (R611). It has 360 W of output and SA wall sockets, enough for a PC and monitor to shut down safely.
- For servers and offices: see the full UPS and power protection range, or ask the quote desk to size one for your load.
What to do when a storm is coming
- Unplug the TV, PC, decoder and router from the wall, including the aerial or dish cable.
- Leave the fridge on its voltage protector. It will cut out and restart safely.
- After a strike nearby, check the lights on your surge protectors and replace any that show they’re no longer protecting.
Browse all surge protectors and extension leads. Delivery is free in Pretoria and on orders over R5,000 nationwide.
FAQs about surge protection
Does a surge protector protect against lightning?
It protects against the surges a nearby strike sends down power lines, which is the most common cause of damage. Nothing you plug into a wall socket survives a direct strike on your house or its wiring. Unplugging is the only certain protection.
Is a normal multiplug a surge protector?
No. A plain multiplug only adds sockets. Look for “surge” in the name and a joule or surge-current rating on the box.
Do I need a surge protector if I have a whole-house surge arrestor?
A surge arrestor in the distribution board is the best first layer. Plug-in protectors at sensitive electronics add a second layer, and electricians generally recommend having both.
Can I plug a fridge into a surge multiplug?
You can, but a voltage protector is the better choice. It protects the compressor from low voltage and adds a restart delay after a power cut.
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