Office buildings, schools, hospitals, and your own home; the use of microprocessor-based equipment has become prevalent in all day-to-day environments. Commercial and industrial facilities have computer systems, fax machines, and automation equipment. Retail locations have sophisticated cash registers and electronic scanning and security systems. At home, we have stereos, personal computers, TVs, and VCRs. In today's world we are dependent on (and take for granted) the performance of all this sophisticated yet sensitive equipment.

All microprocessor-based equipment is extremely sensitive to momentary spikes and surges that occur daily over AC circuits. Sources for these transient spikes and surges range from lightning and utility switching to inductive load switching such as air conditioners, power tools, vacuum cleaners, and copy machines. Externally or internally induced, high energy spikes and surges are capable of causing catastrophic instantaneous damage or cumulative transients that continue to erode the effectiveness of the equipment, hindering performance until it prematurely fails.