Which model to choose?

If you are unsure about which size surge suppressor to purchase – a 15 amp or 20 amp model – you can follow these instructions:

Consult your product manual or equipment label for load information.

If the load information is listed in amps, add up the number of amps for each product you would like to protect on one Zero Surge unit to determine the full load. This will be your minimum size requirement.

If the load information is listed in watts, not amps, a simple calculation can be performed. To calculate from watts to amps, divide the total watts by 120 (600 watts = 5 amps).

Do this for all of the equipment you would like to protect, total them, and you will have your minimum size requirement.

The chart below contains size requirements for some common applications:

To insure you are choosing the right size, calculate the amperage required using information from the product manual or label. If it lists the watts (W) instead of amps (A), a simple calculation can be performed. Divide the total watts by 120 (600 watts = 5 amps). Do this for all of the equipment you would like to protect on the same Zero Surge unit, total them, and you will have your minimum size requirement.

Home Office/Computer — A 15 amp model is sufficient for most computer systems. If you have any equipment with a 20 amp plug, our 2R20W or 10R-1U-20W-I models can accommodate a 20A plug.  When preceding a UPS to protect your battery back-up, a 2R15W or 2R20W (20A receptacle/wiring required) can be used.  Safety code dictates that you cannot plug a UPS into a relocatable power tap (a unit with more than 2 outlets).

Home Electronics — For a typical TV and audio set up, 15 amps would be fine, but if you have some high load accessories, a 20 amp model may be needed (20 amp receptacle/wiring required).  If you have a specialty item with a 20 amp plug, our 2R20W or 10R-1U-20W-I models can accommodate a 20A plug (20 amp receptacle/wiring required).