Choosing an Under Monitor Surge Protector

Using an under monitor surge protector offers several advantages in comparison to traditional surge protection strips; it has more conveniently accessible switches, allows you to separately control the power to each device, and doesn't take up space on the floor. Here are some tips on choosing an under monitor surge protector to purchase...

JOULES: Basically, the number of joules measures how much protection a surge protector provides. Most protectors range from about 50 to 2,000 joules, with under-monitor units usually in the 800-1,900 range. Choosing the model which offers the most joules, at a price which is still affordable, is generally the best option. Not all manufacturers appear to provide this specification on their packaging, but many do.

OUTLETS: Most under monitor surge protector models have five or six electrical outlets, each with its own switch for turning it on and off. Ensure that there are enough outlets for all of your computing devices, including any printers, scanners, or amplified speakers. Some also offer telephone and/or network cable surge protection, with RJ-11 or RJ-45 jacks for this purpose.

HEIGHT: A surge protector of this type will raise the height of your monitor, which may or may not be ergonomically beneficial (depending upon the height of your desk and any stand or desktop computer located under the display). If this is undesirable, keep in mind that these units don't necessarily have to be placed under a monitor. You can also put one under an external modem, clock radio, router, or other desktop device.

OTHER: Some additional factors should also be taken into consideration when selecting an under monitor surge protector. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate your monitor's base. Some units have separate lights indicating if they are "protected" and/or "grounded", and the indicator light style varies from one model to the next. If your monitor is black, you may have difficulty finding a surge protector to match it; the vast majority of them are beige, grey, or white. One of the few dark-colored models is the Belkin F5C240.

An under monitor surge protector can be purchased at eBay.com, along with several different online retailers. Brands which manufacture them (or have done so in the past) include Belkin, Memorex, and Radio Shack. They are also sometimes referred to as a "Computer Power Center", "Under Monitor Power Center", "Power Switching System", or "Power Control Center", so be sure to search for these terms when looking for them at online retailers.