A Surge Protector a Family Could Love

Surges are spikes in electric current. Extreme weather, like lightning, is most often associated with electric surges, but they can sometimes be caused by something as simple as turning on a power-hungry appliance in your home.

These sudden spikes of electric current can damage your computer. A surge protector detects an increase in voltage and has mechanisms to divert the excess current so it doesn't get to the computer.

Belkin's Concealed Surge Protector is a nice idea for a family computer because it also offers a tidy hiding place for all of those cables sprouting out from your PC, printer, and peripherals. Not only does it keep things tidy, but it keeps cables and cords safely out of the way of pets and small children. As an added value, the enclosed box design keeps the dustballs away.

The Belkin surge protector is a simple enclosed device. Inside are 11 outlets: 6 regular, 4 BlockSpace (that hold those larger plugs), and 1 convenience (for quick in and out plug-ins on things like cell phone chargers and vacuums). There's also a place to plug in your fax and phone, your coaxial cable, and your ethernet.

Surge protectors aren't very glamorous, but they're a necessary part of a safe computing environment. Belkin adds an organizational touch and, at $49.95, it's well worth it.