A surge suppressor is a device that protects electrical equipment by dispersing or grounding excess electric current that surges or spikes in the electrical power grid. These surges can occur up to four times a day and can damage electronic equipment that is connected to power outlets throughout a home or office. Lightning, downed power lines, high-frequency sound waves, high-power electrical equipment, and natural weather conditions generally cause surges and spikes.

How Surge Suppressors Work
A surge suppressor is a ceramic or metal cylinder that is filled with oxygen in order to carry an electrical current from one end to the other. As current passes through the oxygen, the oxygen ionizes it and produces a conductive pathway that the current can travel through. As the current reaches the end of the cylinder, it is dispersed through a conductive ring of metal. Once the current is completely dispersed, the oxygen begins to deionize by clinging onto the inside of the cylinder and passing its charge to the surge suppressor itself. This system is relatively simple and prevents excess electrical current from damaging electronic equipment.

Applications
Surge suppressors have a number of uses, although they are most commonly used to protect electronic equipment from excess electrical current in household and office outlets. Surge suppressors can also be used on power lines to protect essential equipment from lightning and surges or spikes that other conditions cause. Advanced surge suppressors usually have indicator lights that show when a device is connected and protected, noise cancellation methods, non-conductive casings, additional outlets, and other features.

Advantages
Surge suppressors are generally simply designed, and are therefore relatively inexpensive. They do not require any power and provide an essential function by reducing current in electrical power outlets, power lines, and other systems that handle high current levels. Surge suppressors generally prevent electricity flow that is over 120 Volts, but can be specifically setup to cancel out any current level.