What is a common characteristic of a surge protector?

A surge protector is specifically designed to absorb excess voltage that can occur during power surges, which are typically caused by lightning strikes, power outages, or sudden spikes in electricity usage. By diverting and dissipating this excess voltage, a surge protector helps safeguard connected devices from damage. This characteristic is fundamental to its purpose, as without the ability to absorb excess voltage, the surge protector could not effectively protect appliances and electronics from voltage-related harm.

While surge protectors do have features that can relate to other functions around them, such as filtering out electrical noise to some extent or providing a degree of voltage regulation, their primary and defining function is to absorb or redirect excess electrical charge. This makes them a crucial component for protecting valuable equipment from power fluctuations that otherwise could lead to malfunctions or failures.