About OldSurge.com
About OldSurge.com
OldSurge.com is an independent archive dedicated to documenting the history of surge protectors, power strips, line conditioners, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), telephone protectors, network protectors, and related power-protection devices.
The archive was established to preserve information that may otherwise be lost as products are discontinued, manufacturers disappear, documentation becomes unavailable, and devices are discarded.
Many surge protectors and related products receive little attention from collectors or historians despite having played an important role in protecting computers, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, and office technology during the personal-computing era.
Mission
The mission of OldSurge.com is to document and preserve the design, construction, operation, and history of power-protection products through photography, testing, measurement, teardown analysis, and historical research.
The archive seeks to create a long-term record of devices ranging from common consumer surge strips to unusual and historically significant protection equipment.
Documentation Methodology
Whenever practical, devices are:
- Photographed
- Measured
- Weighed
- Tested for basic electrical operation
- Documented externally
- Examined internally through non-destructive disassembly
- Researched using available historical documentation
Non-destructive documentation techniques are preferred whenever possible in order to preserve historically significant examples.
Scope
The archive currently documents:
- Surge protectors
- Power strips
- Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs)
- Telephone protectors
- Network protectors
- Line conditioners
- Related memorabilia and literature
Both historical and modern devices are included. Modern examples are occasionally documented as reference points for comparison with older products.
Why Surge Protectors?
Surge protectors are often overlooked consumer products despite their widespread use and long history.
Many models disappear with little surviving documentation beyond advertising materials or brief product specifications. Internal designs, manufacturing variations, safety features, and construction techniques are frequently undocumented.
By preserving detailed information about these devices, OldSurge.com helps document a small but significant part of computing, electronics, and technology history.
Contributions
Information, corrections, photographs, historical documentation, and additional product examples are welcome.
Questions or contributions may be submitted through the PowerPig Contact Form.
Disclaimer
Devices documented on OldSurge.com are presented as historical artifacts and collectibles.
Many older surge protectors may no longer provide their original level of protection and should not be relied upon to protect modern electronic equipment without appropriate inspection, testing, and evaluation.