What is the difference between surge protector and voltage stabilizer

Offline UPS 2. Line-interactive UPS 3. Online Double-conversion UPS. If you think your load will survive bad power supply and slow switch-on time then an offline UPS is your cheapest choice, but maybe not the wisest. The inverter is always on, meaning the switch-on to inverter time is much shorter and therefore better to use with sensitive loads. They also have an AVR automatic voltage regulator fitted inside. This helps regulate the mains supply — acting like a voltage regulator.

Offering you ultimate power stability for your critical loads while the mains is on. Because the inverter is always feeding the connected loads, the dips, spikes and power failures are not felt by them.

That makes this type of UPS system design the best by far, but it is not the cheapest. There is only one sure way to protect your office or household appliances from a direct lightning strike and that is by unplugging them.

Surge protectors and voltage stabilisers offer protection against fluctuations, dips and spikes in the mains power supply, but are unable to provide power should the mains power fail. A UPS, on the other hand, will achieve all of the above, allowing you peace of mind and ease of convenience in all eventualities. While neither a surge protector, voltage stabiliser nor UPS will provide protection against a direct lightning strike, using either of them will give your electronics and computers the best chance at a long, trouble-free life.

When there is a random voltage raise for a short period of time, it is known as voltages spike or voltage surge. Spikes or surges can occur due to faulty wiring or power cut because of lightning while raining. Surge protectors also provide power supply to several devices such as AC, computers, television etc. Surge protectors are much better and safer when it comes to protecting your devices.

They not only stabilize the voltage but also diverts high voltage. In case, the voltage is increased beyond a specific level, then the surge protector transmits the extra energy towards the ground. In this way, it keeps the appliance safe and they do not break down due to a voltage spike. Stabilizers are not sufficient to protect your devices.

If you intend to save your electrical devices, then choose surge protectors. They have high usage in the business environment and commercial building. Surge protectors are considered to be a more safer option. They divert the high voltage away from your appliances and thus protect it with any kind of mishaps. You should consider it if you own costly electronic appliances.

You can find surge protectors to be relatively costly than stabilizers, they are still worth choosing because the rate of damage is far more than their price. Whenever you want to buy a surge protector, always remember to buy the one with indicator light. This small light will inform you whether your surge protector is working or not to shield your devices.

Indicator lights can prove to be beneficial to find out whether MOVs metal-oxide varistors are functioning or not. MOVs are varistors which are embedded in surge protectors.

These MOVs are the ones who help surge protectors to protect your electrical devices. Therefore, to avoid this problem, always prefer to buy those surge protectors where indicator light is already given. As the name suggests, they help protect your electric appliances from the damage that unexpected electrical surges and fluctuations can cause.

Whether there is faulty wiring, or power fluctuation due to lightning during rain, any kind of surge in electric supply can permanently damage your expensive devices such as refrigerators, computers, and air conditioners.

Many people rely just on the stabilizers and are unaware that they are not sufficient to protect their devices. In contrast, surge protectors are more reliable and safe because they not only stabilize the voltage but also divert the high voltages away from your appliances.

While surge protectors are relatively more expensive than stabilizers , they are still worth buying because the cost of damage is far more than their price.

So far, the article has explained the major differences between voltage stabilizer and a surge suppressor. We have established that surge protectors are much better and safer than the regular voltage stabilizers , but that does not mean that everyone should always buy a surge protector. Whether you should get a surge protector, or just simply use a stabilizer depends on what your need is and what is the nature of appliances you are using.

It does not make sense to invest in a surge protector just for a few lights and fans. However, you should definitely have one for your heavier and more expensive devices such as a computer, air conditioner, washing machine, refrigerator, etc. These devices have voltage-sensitive components that can easily get damaged due to a high voltage.

Moreover, constant fluctuations will decrease the life of these devices even if a stabilizer is in place. Surge protectors contain varistors , which are more commonly known as MOVs metal-oxide varistors. It may not display this or other websites correctly.

You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Prev 1 2. First Prev 2 of 2 Go to page. Siva Staff member. Joined 20 Jul Messages 6, Solutions 2 Reaction score 11, Gobinaath Bro, If your fridge has inbuilt stabilizer you don't need any external stabilizer. But if it doesn't then stabilizer is a must For TV, nothing required but stabilizer if necessary. Click to expand Joined 27 Oct Messages 4, Reaction score 6, This is not true bro.

I spent to get our fridge repaired. The reason was lack of stabilizer. Guess what, it has an inbuilt one. Service person who came told me that "Sir don't fall for the gimmicks played by the sales people, they will always say that the fridge has inbuilt stabilizer but you must buy a separate one". I don't know why the inbuilt one did not work, but in the end I had to suffer.

Sarkar Member.