AC power outlet strips with surge suppressors will include at least one of which component?

Surge suppressors are designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes, often caused by lightning strikes or power surges. One of the primary components responsible for this protection is the Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV).

The MOV acts as a voltage clamp. Under normal conditions, it does not conduct electricity; however, when there is a voltage spike, the MOV becomes conductive, diverting excess voltage away from sensitive equipment and into the ground. This rapid response helps to prevent damage to devices plugged into the outlet strip.

While other components like circuit breakers and fuses can be present in power strips for overload protection, they do not specifically address the issue of transient voltage spikes. Capacitors, on the other hand, are used in different contexts, such as filtering or decoupling, but are not primarily known for surge suppression. Therefore, the inclusion of an MOV in surge suppressor outlet strips makes it the most relevant component for protecting against voltage surges.