Red Seal Construction Electrician Practice Exam

What does a surge suppressor do?

1. Amplifies the power supply

2. Distributes power evenly across devices

3. Protects electronic devices from voltage spikes

4. Reduces energy costs

The correct answer is: Protects electronic devices from voltage spikes

A surge suppressor is specifically designed to protect electronic devices from voltage spikes, which may occur due to lightning strikes, power outages, or grid switching. When a voltage spike happens, the surge suppressor redirects the excess voltage away from the connected devices, ensuring that the devices are shielded from potential damage. This is crucial because voltage spikes can exceed the tolerable limits of electronic components and lead to their failure. The other options do not accurately describe the function of a surge suppressor. For instance, amplifying the power supply or distributing power across devices refers to different devices such as power amplifiers or distribution boards rather than suppression of voltage spikes. Similarly, while surge suppressors may indirectly contribute to preventing energy waste by protecting devices, they do not directly reduce energy costs in a meaningful way.