Comparison PrologiX PR-SC5415W vs PrologiX PR-SC4408W

— Switch on the body. This function allows you to turn off the power to the load without disconnecting the filter itself from the mains — in other words, it eliminates the need to once again remove the filter plug from the outlet and insert it back. Most often, the switch controls all filter outlets, however, there are models where some of the connectors are bypassed and are always energized, regardless of the position of the switch.

— A switch for each outlet. This feature makes it easier to manage the power of connected devices: unplugging and plugging individual outlets is usually easier and faster than unplugging and plugging back in. Thus, electrical appliances used with such a filter can be kept constantly connected to it, turning off and on individual outlets as needed.

— Switch for each circuit. The function is used in models with numerous outlets. Allows you to simultaneously disable half of them, leaving the rest working. It combines the convenience of the points listed above and at the same time does not clutter up the device with unnecessary switches.

It is also worth noting that there are models that combine both a switch on the case and a switch for each outlet.

The number of universal sockets in the filter, compatible with several types of plugs at once.

Most often, such sockets are made compatible with three types of plugs: a standard “Euro plug” used in Europe and the post-Soviet space, an American Type A plug (two parallel flat contacts) and a Type I plug used in China and Australia (three flat contacts at an angle ). The filter for international plugs is useful for those cases when the household has equipment with different types of plugs — it will allow you to do without additional adapters.

The number of USB ports for charging, provided in the design of the surge protector.

Such ports do not perform any other function than powering and charging external devices such as smartphones or tablets. The presence of such connectors in the surge protector can be especially convenient when there is no “230-to-USB” adapter at hand, and there are few USB ports in a computer or laptop and using them for charging is “an unaffordable luxury”.

The number of USB-C ports in the network filter design.

Such ports do not perform any other function than powering and charging external devices such as smartphones or tablets. The presence of such connectors in the surge protector can be especially convenient when there is no “230-to-USB” adapter at hand, and there are few USB ports in a computer or laptop and using them for charging is “an unaffordable luxury”.

The current output by a USB connector when a charging gadget is connected to it.

The higher the current, the faster the battery can charge. However, when choosing, note that in order to use a high current strength, the connected device must also support it. Basically there are USB with a current strength of 2.1 A, 2.4 A and 3 A.

It is also worth noting that when using several USB ports at the same time, the current strength is significantly reduced.

The maximum power that a USB port can produce when connecting only one gadget.

Higher power output speeds up the charging process. At the same time, there are a number of nuances associated with this parameter. Firstly, the appropriate power must be supported not only by the port, but also by the gadget being charged - otherwise the speed of the process will be limited by the characteristics of the gadget. Secondly, to take full advantage of the capabilities, you may need to support not only the appropriate charging power, but also a specific fast charging technology. Thirdly, in filters with several charging connectors, the maximum power per device can only be achieved if the other ports are not used.

— Short circuit protection. Short circuit (short circuit) protection system — situations when the impedance in the circuit drops sharply, for example, due to a metal object falling between the socket contacts. It reacts to a sharp increase in current and opens the circuit, allowing you to avoid damage and fire equipment.

— Voltage drops protection. Protection against power surges in the network. A filter with this function is able to completely cut off power that exceeds the allowable rate set by the manufacturer, protecting the load from damage. Note that the surge protector is not able to replace a full-fledged stabilizer or voltage relay; however, in more or less high-quality networks that are not subject to strong fluctuations, a filter is quite enough.

— Overload protection. In this case, overload means a situation when the load power exceeds the values \u200b\u200ballowed for a given network filter. This situation is similar to the short circuit described above — high currents go through the filter; however, overload has its own specifics, so protection against it can be provided as a separate system. However, the principle of operation of such systems is classic: when the permissible power is exceeded, it turns off the power, preventing breakdowns and fires.

— Varistor protection. A kind of protectio...n against short-term power surges in the network, built on varistors — variable impedance resistors. The impedance of such a resistor under normal conditions is in the millions of ohms, but it drops sharply if the input voltage increases above a certain value. Due to this, in normal mode, the protection practically does not affect the circuit, and with a high-voltage pulse, excess energy “merges” through the varistor and dissipates in the form of heat. The ability of varistors to absorb energy is not infinite, therefore, to protect against overheating, the design usually provides for a temperature sensor with an automatic switch.

Options for placing sockets on the body of an extension cord or surge protector.

- Along the hull. Devices with the layout of sockets in one slender line, which is extended along the entire body of the extension cord or surge protector.

- In 2 rows. A popular scheme with the arrangement of sockets in 2 rows is on both sides of the upper plane of the device housing.

- In a circle. This category includes all extension cords and surge protectors with sockets in the form of a full circle or a semicircle.

- On both sides of the body. Sockets on several side faces of the case are found in compact cube models and in advanced surge protectors with relocated sockets on both sides of the case, which makes it easy to connect a large number of consumer devices.