Should A TV Be Plugged Into The Wall

As an owner of a TV, I know how frustrating it can be to try and figure out the best way to plug it into the wall. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share with you my experience and the solutions I have discovered. In this blog, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of plugging a TV into the wall and share my opinion on whether or not it should be done. So read on to find out more about this important decision and what I have to say about it.

According to experts, new and expensive televisions should not be directly plugged into electrical wall sockets. Plugging pricy televisions directly into the wall outlet exposes it to occasional power surges, which may ruin various ports or fry the TV’s fundamental electrical circuits.

The decision to mount the TV to the wall or stand is enormously important, as the installation procedure dramatically impacts the viewing aesthetic.

It is not recommended to plug your new TV directly into the wall due to the risk of occasional power surges. This article will discuss the associated risks of power surges on your TV, recommending the most viable alternatives.

TV Connection Considerations	Pros	Cons
Plugging Directly into Wall	Convenience and aesthetic appeal	Exposes TV to power surges, potential damage
Using a Surge Protector	Protects TV from power surges and spikes	Additional cost, takes up more space
Using a Power Strip	Provides multiple connection points	Not all power strips have built-in surge protection
Built-in Surge Protector	Convenient, no need for additional equipment	May not be as effective as dedicated surge protector

Table of Contents

Must My TV Be Plugged Into The Wall?

Many people plug their TVs directly into the wall, mostly for convenience and aesthetic appeal. However, these people are exposing their expensive electronic devices to unnecessary risk.

It is the user’s choice to plug their TV directly into the wall, and there is no official law against it. However, experts recommend plugging it into a surge protector to protect your TV from damaging power surges and spikes.

Your TV will still perform perfectly if plugged into a power strip or surge protector. Since the TV’s performance will not be hindered by not plugging it directly into the wall, you should always use a quality surge protector, ensuring the guaranteed lifespan of the expensive electronic device.

TV Power Spikes And Surges

Traditional wall-mounted electrical sockets are designed to provide a constant electrical voltage. Modern devices such as Smart TVs highly depend on the electrical outlet’s consistency.

A power surge is usually considered an unexpected spike in electrical voltage currents that lasts more than five seconds. Mostly, power surges are caused by various power outages, lightning strikes, or unexpected grid power malfunctions.

Due to the known volatility of the American weather, frequent and damaging power surges should be accounted for if people want to protect their expensive electronic devices. A power spike is a short spike in electrical voltage, with spikes usually induced by electrical grid malfunctions.

Power spikes and surges are equally harmful to modern electronic equipment, especially televisions, as they require an uninterrupted power connection.

Televisions plugged directly into a wall socket that experience a severe power spike or power surge will face severe harm, often rendering them useless and beyond any form of repair.

Should I Plug My TV Into A Surge Protector?

The short answer is yes. Surge protectors are designed to prevent your modern television from experiencing the occasional harmful power strikes or surges.

It is known that most modern standardized wall electrical outlets do not have built-in surge protectors. Surge protectors are sold separately in the form of single-outlet surge protectors or power strips.

Power strips are devices with a single connection to the wall socket while providing many connection points for various critical electronic devices.

Conversely, a single outlet protector is self-explanatory, as it is directly connected to the electrical wall outlet while providing a single electronic device joining point.

Single outlet surge protectors are additionally beneficial as they can be moved around the house and even taken to different locations, depending on the users’ requirements.

Surge protectors are a recent invention, rare and unknown less than twenty years ago. They work by diverting major electrical spikes or surges to a dedicated protective compartment within the surge protector.

However, your expensive electronic device will not be affected as surge protectors maintain the required current and voltage before any unnecessary excess is safely diverted.

Essentially, surge protectors are designed to ensure that only safe and normal amounts of electrical current are allowed to pass through various pricy electronic applications.

Are All Power Strips Also Surge Protectors?

Understanding that all power strips do not necessarily double up as surge protectors are vital. Often, the inexpensive power strips do not offer sufficient surge protection for expensive electronics.

Cheap power strips are exclusively designed to provide additional and convenient power outlets to people requiring more than a single electrical wall outlet.

Even expensive power strips do not always have a built-in surge protection device. You must ensure that the chosen power strip is rated for occasional power surges, avoiding costly damage to your electronic devices.

In addition, you should purchase one from a trustworthy company to ensure that your power strip can successfully handle massive power spikes and surges.

Upon purchasing, you should carefully read the product’s description and design capabilities while checking with an experienced electronic device salesperson.

Reputable power strip manufacturing companies usually provide a lifetime warranty with their product, giving you more confidence to utilize the device as a surge protector.

Once the product has been purchased, you should check it for any signs of damage after a powerful electrical spike. If damaged, immediately remove it from the wall and return it.

When Must I Replace My Surge Protector?

Due to the severity and frequency of harmful power spikes, surge protectors have a finite lifespan. If they are not often checked for damage and replaced, your expensive electronics can get damaged.

Surge protectors have dedicated components that soak up any additional and harmful electric currents that may be experienced during severe power spikes.

The fragile components usually last a year or two, depending on your area. However, modern surge protectors can only absorb a certain amount of power surges before they must be replaced.

Modern surge protectors usually indicate that they are broken through small lights or even an audible alarm.

Once you see these lights shine or the alarm goes off, you know that the surge protector can no longer function optimally and should be immediately exchanged to prevent your expensive electronics from experiencing irrevocable harm.

It is easy to forget about the health of your surge protector; however, American citizens face constant electrical spikes due to intense lightning, electrical storms, and other inclement weather. Monitoring the health of your surge protector is essential for avoiding costly television and other electronic device repairs.

Do Smart TVs have built-in surge protectors?

Some modern Smart TVs have built-in surge protectors, meaning that you can plug the electronic device directly into the wall socket.

While some modern Smart TVs have built-in surge protection capabilities, experts recommend using a surge protector. Built-in surge protectors are not as efficient or capable as dedicated surge protectors, leaving your expensive Smart TV open to harmful electric spikes.

In addition, not all modern Smart TVs have built-in surge protectors. While these TVs can be directly connected to the wall socket, to be on the safe side, all televisions and other expensive electronic devices should always be plugged into capable and reputable surge protectors.

Conclusion

All TVs should be connected to surge protectors to avoid costly and irreversible damage following severe power spikes. While some modern Smart TVs have built-in surge protectors, they do not guarantee the TV’s safety from massive and frequent power surges that all American citizens are exposed to.

The best way to connect your TV to the wall is through a relatable and expensive surge protector. These surge protectors are mostly found in power strips or single-use models. Not all power strips guard against power surges meaning that occasional power spikes will ruin critical ports on the TV or even fry its entire electrical system.