A surge protector is an electrical contrivance that is used to protect electrical equipment from power surges or voltage spikes. A power surge is able to increase the electrical energy of an electrical device so that it goes above the allocated level of the flow of electricity. If power goes above the allotted level then the surge protector is there to foil the power surge from annihilating your computer or other electrical devices.

If there is a voltage spike, which is usually shorter than power surge, the surge protector will short to ground voltage above a secure limit. These devices are also sometimes called suppressors. Although a surge protector may often have multiple outlets it is not the same as a power strip, although some power strips do encompass surge protection.