This graph clearly illustrates the actual uses for surge protectors.

Look under just about any office desk and you will see a mess.  Aside from the scraps from lunch two weeks ago and a few cookie crumbs I am talking about the surge protector.  We see these abused surge protectors all the time.

They remind us of the scene in Christmas Vacation that shows the brutal wire mess that Chevy Chase utilized to light every bulb in his house via one outlet.  It may surprise you that most offices are the same.  We as printer technicians often end up under the desk of many an office worker.  Aside from our charm sometimes we need to plug in a vacuum cleaner or unplug a printer.  What we see under that desk is just this side of amazing.

It is amazing in the fact that we see this everywhere.  This is not saved only for the offices that are in reused warehouses from 200 years ago, this happens even in newly constructed offices that look as if no expense was spared.  No expense except for the electricians.  They skimped there with the assumption that the mighty $10 surge protector would offer all the power needed.

What is in these lonely surge protectors?  This list would include a computer or two for sure, a monitor, maybe a printer or possibly a space heater or fan.  Let’s not forget a desk lamp, coffee maker or heating pad.  Perhaps the outlets are filled with cell phone chargers.  Certainly these items were not planned for so we can’t blame the architects.

So I’d like to take the time now to pay homage to the great surge protector under your desk.  He works hard, taking all of the electricity from one outlet and splitting it at least 6, if not 8 ways or more.  He holds on to the huge transformers that were squeezed into a place they certainly were not meant to go.  Filled with dust and crumbs he keeps most surges away from your expensive computers and printers.  Aside from a few random accidental kicks all we do to thank this abused victim of the cube is toss some potato chip crumbs on him as an offering.

Thank you, Mr. Surge Protector.  Hopefully someday architects and engineers will soon understand that this is indeed the 21^st century and things need electricity.  More than 2 things per desk, I am afraid.  And though the strong surge protector has offered years of trouble free mindless service, it may be time to install more than one outlet per cubicle.  Next time, simply skimp on the art.

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