Tripp Lite 3 Outlet Portable Surge Protector SK3-0

If you need Surge protection in a college dorm, you will most likely need one that does not have a power cord as extensions, for fire safety reasons, are not allowed. It does not matter how sturdy and safe you think a cord is, its a dorm violation. This unit, although not the highest in joules protection, it about the only thing you can use. Buy more than one in case a surge fries it.

just enough room to use the adjacent outlet.

I bought two of this, one for my fridge and one for my washing machine. I don’t live in an area with power outages or voltage spikes, but i do like to have everything protected, and this plug in does a great job.

Tripp Lite SK3-0 3 Outlet Portable Surge Protector Power Strip, Direct Plug In
This is a very good surge protector, even better if you can get it at a good price. Per the label (see photo, L to R it’s the Belkin, Monoprice, then Tripplite) it’s tested/listed per UL1449, the standard for Surge Protective Devices (SPD). The Voltage Protection Ratings (VPR) are among the best — I’ve seen VPR from 400 to 800 V (lower is better), and the Joule rating is decent. Here is how the Tripplite and two other surge suppressors I own rate:
___________________________________VPR______
Brand _____ #outlets __ PN _____ L-N _ N-G _ L-G __ Joules
Tripplite ___3-outlet SK3-0 ______ 500_ 500 _ 400 __ 660
Belkin _____1-outlet F9H100-CW _400_ 400 _ 400_ 1080
Monoprice _1-outlet 115877 ____ 500 _ 500 _ 500 __ 540

(L-N = Line to Neutral, N-G = Neutral to Ground, etc.)
I’ve used multiple Tripplites for years without any issues. Tripplite has a similar 1 outlet but it’s almost the same price as this more versatile 3 outlet. The Monoprice came in a nice eco-friendly cardboard box; the Belkin and Tripplite came in nasty plastic packages. When plugged into a duplex wall outlet, all three still let you use the other outlet (with the Tripplite plugged into the top, and the Belkin and Monoprice plugged into the bottom outlet). The Belkin has the best specs but usually a higher price. I’ve bought all three of these when the price dipped to around $6-7, often the price is higher like $9-11. I’ll buy more of any of these when the price drops down, but I’ll tell you what I will NOT buy: anything without UL1449 testing, anything with a 600 V, 800V or higher VPR, or something that advertises a lot of Joules but I can’t find out the VPR.

For surge protectors I’m more concerned about a good (low) VPR than I am about Joules. Joules indicates how much energy it can absorb before components in the suppressor blow and it no longer protects. Surges vary but let’s assume a typical surge had 100 Joules of energy in it. Would you like to have a 800 V (bad) 2000 Joule (great) “surge protector” that lets 800 Volts through to your TV/microwave/computer/washing machine/etc. 20 times before the protected light goes out? I wouldn’t. I’d rather have less voltage hitting the expensive device I’m trying to protect, and when the protector burns/wears out, I’ll replace it. BTW I think I’ve only seen 1 time where the protected light went out in my decades of using them, and I have around 20 of various types (they might wear out faster if you live where there are more frequent lightning strikes).

I recommend putting a surge protector on every appliance you have that has an electronic (microprocessor-controlled) control panel. If you have an ancient air conditioner, dishwasher, washing machine or microwave with all mechanical controls, you’re lucky because it’s lasted so long and it’s not that vulnerable to surges. But for everyone else, protect your investment with a UL1449 listed Surge Protective Device like this with maximum 500 Volts VPR.

The Tripplite says it filters RFI/EMI noise but doesn’t state any specs. The Belkin claims to have up to 43 dB noise reduction from 150kHz to ~100MHz. 43 dB is good, but it’s the maximum over that frequency range, so no way of telling how little the noise reduction might be at specific frequencies. The Monoprice doesn’t claim to do any RFI/EMI filtering. Also the Tripplite and Belkin offer limited lifetime warranties and connected equipment warranties but the Monoprice does not. I have no experience trying to make any warranty claim on these.

I like this product and have 2 off them in outlets that don’t have a surge protecting power bar. The indicator lights are helpful so that you know without question that it is working. I recommend this for individual protection of your electronics.

Came in as described. It seems to work well, not having been tested in a power surge yet. The only thing was that one of the three prongs was a bit loose. The ground pin was fine along with one of the two flat blades, but one was a bit loose in that it would slightly rock a bit back and forth. I was trying to remember if I’d seen this in the past with three pronged plugs similar to this style of plug, to see if it was normal.

I think I had and that I wouldn’t have had any problems with it. I was a bit concerned so I contacted Tripp-Lit technical support and was told that it was normal, and that some of their products are like that where a blade might be a bit loose. I asked if it was a screw or the plastic housing perhaps wasn’t as tight around the blade, and he said it was the plastic housing.

Anyhow, if this review helps anyone I am glad I’ll help you to avoid having to call or search this up.