How can such a small surge protector handle so many thousands of Amps?
Surge protectors are rated using a very fast pulse of current. The industry standard current pulse is 20 microseconds wide (although some transients can last much longer) and is representative of lightning current. The components (and the conductors) used in a surge protector are designed to handle very high currents, but only for a short duration. In use, they are only passing the current for the duration of the surge event. After a surge has passed, they return to their non-conducting state ready for the next event. A surge protector differs from an AC line voltage regulator because a surge protector can be damaged if it is conducting AC current for a long period of time. Surge protectors are used to protect UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems which can be damaged by surges. Both technologies work well together as part of your overall power quality system. In a surge protector, the protection components can overheat and permanently short out if their average power ratings are
