Surge Protector

Hello there. You’ve probably seen me before, sitting quietly on the floor by a desk or behind a television. I look like a simple plastic strip with a bunch of outlets, a long cord, and maybe a little red switch that glows. Most people call me a power strip, and they’re not wrong. But that’s just my disguise. My real name is Surge Protector, and I have a secret, very important job. I am an electronic bodyguard. You see, the electricity that flows through the wires in your walls is usually calm and steady, like a gentle river. It powers your favorite things, like your computer, your video game console, and the lamp you read by. But sometimes, without any warning, a huge, invisible wave of extra electricity can rush down the wires. This is called a power surge. It can happen during a thunderstorm when lightning strikes nearby, or even when a big appliance in your house turns on. This giant electrical wave can crash into your electronics and break their delicate insides. That’s where I come in. I stand guard, constantly watching the flow of electricity. When I sense that dangerous wave coming, I leap into action to protect the devices plugged into me.

My story didn’t begin in a living room, though. It started a long time ago in a place with very important machines. My creator was a clever engineer named Harold P. Kopp. He was working for the U.S. Navy, which used enormous, complicated electronic systems for communication and keeping the country safe. The problem was that these sensitive machines were constantly at risk. A single lightning strike or a glitch in the power grid could send a destructive surge of electricity through them, causing very expensive damage. Harold knew he had to invent a solution. He needed to create a kind of gatekeeper for electricity, something that would let the good, steady power through but slam the door shut on the bad, spiky surges. He worked hard, testing different ideas and materials. He imagined a special part that could act like a super-fast safety valve. When the electrical pressure got too high, this valve would open instantly and divert the dangerous extra electricity away, sending it harmlessly into the ground. After much thought and many experiments, he perfected his idea. On November 5th, 1969, his invention was officially recognized with a patent, and I was born. The secret to my power is a little part inside me called a Metal Oxide Varistor, or MOV for short. You can think of it as my brain and my shield. It constantly measures the electricity, and the moment it senses too much voltage, it redirects all that harmful energy in less than a nanosecond. That’s faster than you can even blink your eye.

For a while, my job was a top-secret one. I protected giant naval computers and other military equipment, silently doing my duty in secret labs and control rooms. But as more and more families started bringing amazing electronics into their own homes, people realized they needed a bodyguard like me. My design became smaller and more affordable, and I began my journey from those secret labs into your living room. Today, I am a household hero. I protect your family’s computer where you do your homework, the television where you watch movies, and the video game console you play with your friends. I even protect the charger for your tablet or phone. Every time there’s a flicker of lights during a storm, I am there, ready to sacrifice myself to save the electronics you love. I am proud of my quiet job. You might not think about me often, but I am always on watch, a faithful guardian making sure your amazing, connected world stays safe and powered up. I am the silent protector, the electronic bodyguard, and I help keep your world running smoothly, one saved device at a time.