Comparison Xiaomi Mi Power Strip 2 sockets / 2 USB vs EnerGenie SPG5-C-5

The general features of the design and application of the network filter depend on the type.

— Extension lead. Traditional extension cords designed to bring power to devices located far from outlets, as well as to increase the number of sockets themselves. They do not have built-in filters and provide almost no protection. On the other hand, such devices are extremely simple and inexpensive.

— Cable reel. Extension cords in which the wire is wound on a spool. They are significantly longer than models without coils; in addition, the user can adjust the length of the wire at his discretion. On the other hand, the weight and dimensions of such devices are also quite significant. As a result, extension cords on a reel are not well suited for home use, but may be indispensable for some specific tasks. For example, using such a device, you can stretch power through the yard of a private house, for work in a garage or a barn.

— H-frame extension lead. Extension cords in which the wire is wound around the frame — a special holder that resembles a double-sided horn. The design of the frame itself allows you to conveniently unwind and wind the power cord, while the wire is not subjected to twisting into knots and tangles. The extension cord on the frame usually has only one socket for connecting an electric current consumer.

— Roulette ex...tension lead. A kind of extension cord with a round body, in which the cord is wound in the manner as it is implemented in construction roulettes. In its upper part there are sockets (their number and type may differ), and on the reverse side there is a handle for returning the cord to the case. There is no automatic winding of the cord on the coil inside the case.

— Surge protected adapter. The simplest type of network filters are compact devices that are attached directly to the outlet. The possibilities of such devices are extremely simple: other connectors, in addition to ordinary sockets, are extremely rare in them, and the sockets themselves are usually provided with less than one (although exceptions are possible). On the other hand, small size in some situations can be an important advantage. In addition, such a filter can be constantly worn on the plug of the device with which it is used.

— Surge protector. Devices that combine the functions of a surge protector and an extension cord: allow you to connect electrical appliances to the network that are remote from outlets, while smoothing out the interference that occurs on the network. In addition, most models have several outlets, which allows you to connect several devices to one such filter at once. Note that models with 3-5 outlets are very popular as a means of connecting desktop PCs to a network: they allow you to power both the system unit and peripherals (monitor, speakers, printer, etc.) and additional devices like a table lamp from one outlet .

— Surge protector reel. Network filters equipped with a wire reel. According to the features of the application, they are completely similar to the extension cords on the reel described above, adjusted for the fact that in this case the device not only works as a remote outlet, but also protects the load from interference in the network.

The length of the cable used to connect the surge protector to the network.

The longer the cable, the farther from the outlet you can install the device. On the other hand, a long cable can be inconvenient over short distances. Models on a coil are deprived of this drawback (see "Type"), this moment is compensated by the actual presence of the coil, but they differ in large dimensions and heavy weight. So when choosing, it is far from always worth chasing the maximum length of the wire.

The highest power consumption of the connected devices that the surge protector can tolerate without consequences (to be more precise, with which it can work indefinitely without overloads, overheating, etc.).

This limitation is due to the fact that the higher the power at the same voltage, the higher the current passing through the equipment (in this case, through the surge protector); and off-design currents can lead to breakdowns and even accidents. And although in order to avoid these consequences, modern filters often provide various types of protection (see above), however, the operation of protection is still an emergency situation that is best avoided. Therefore, it is worth choosing a model according to this parameter in such a way that the maximum filter power is at least not lower than the total power consumption of the load. And it is best to have a margin of 20 – 30% — this will give additional guarantees in case of various deviations in the operation of the connected equipment.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the situations when the filter is planned to be used for the so-called reactive load — electrical appliances that widely use circuits on capacitors and/or inductors, for example, power tools or refrigeration units. The total power consumption of such devices (written in volt-amperes) can be much higher than the active power (which is indicated in watts). The recommended line filter power in such cases is calculated using special...formulas that can be found in the relevant sources.

The maximum current that the surge protector can pass through itself for an unlimited time without the risk of overheating, breakdowns and other troubles.

This parameter is directly related to the maximum power of the filter (see above): power is the current multiplied by the voltage. Thus, for example, for a standard 230 V model with a maximum power of 2200 W, the maximum load will be 10 A. Note that the characteristics of modern filters may not correspond to such calculations — for example, the same 10 A can be claimed for a 2500 W model . However, this is not something extraordinary: the difference in figures may be due to active and reactive power (see "Maximum power"), the characteristics of single-phase filters (without 400 V sockets, see above) can be given both for 230 V, so for 230 V and even 240 V, figures may be rounded for readability, etc.

Anyway, the practical value of the maximum load is the same as the maximum power: it should not be less than the current supplied to the connected electrical appliances (otherwise the protection may trip, or even break). And they use this parameter, along with the maximum power, because in some cases it is easier to evaluate the characteristics of the load (and filter requirements) in terms of current consumption, and not in terms of power.

The maximum energy absorption provided by the mains filter, namely, the maximum pulse energy at which the device can safely absorb and dissipate it, completely protecting the connected load. The higher this indicator, the more reliable the filter, the more powerful power surges it can handle. In inexpensive models, the maximum absorption is calculated in tens of joules, in the most advanced models it can exceed 1000 J and even 2000 J.

The cross-sectional area of the wire used to connect the filter to the network. The larger the cross-sectional area, the thicker the wire, the more reliable it is and the more current it can pass without overheating. Accordingly, thick wires ( 1.5 mm² and 2.5 mm²) are a must for high power devices. At the same time, modern manufacturers, usually, choose the cross-sectional area in such a way as to guarantee the safe operation of the filter at the claimed maximum power (see above). Therefore, in fact, a model with a thicker cable than other similar devices should be chosen if it is supposed to be used in unstable networks in which power surges often occur. If the cross-sectional area seems too small for you ( 0.75 mm² or 1 mm²) for the claimed power, there are special formulas that allow you to check the validity of such doubts.

The number of sockets with type F grounding, provided in the design of the mains filter.

In this case, we are talking about full-size European type F sockets with metal ground clamps on both sides at the edges of the socket. The "socket" in this case means a CEE 7/4 ("Schuko") standard plug. Grounding is required for the safe operation of some types of electrical appliances, in particular, washing machines and other machines that work with water, refrigerators, computers, audio equipment, etc. A detailed list can be found in the reference literature. If you plan to connect such devices through the filter, this filter must have sockets with grounding.

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”.