---
title: "What Is Clamping voltage? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "Clamping voltage is the voltage level at which a surge protector starts to divert a surge. A lower number means it reacts sooner."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/clamping-voltage
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Safety devices

# Clamping voltage

Clamping voltage is the voltage level at which a surge protector starts to divert a surge. A lower number means it reacts sooner.

Belkin describes clamping voltage as the voltage needed for the device to respond and protect connected electronics from a power surge. It advises a rating under 400 volts, so surges above that level are diverted. It warns about products that do not state a clamping voltage or that clamp at 500 volts or more.

Read clamping voltage together with the [joule rating](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/joule-rating) on any [surge protective device](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/surge-protective-device). Panel-level protection is a job for a licensed electrician. See [surge protection and home safety](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/surge-protection-and-home-safety).

[Daniel Electric can helpWhole-house surge protector installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/whole-house-surge-protector)

## Related terms

-   [Joule rating](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/joule-rating)
-   [Surge protective device](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/surge-protective-device)
-   [Point-of-use surge protector](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/point-of-use-surge-protector)
-   [Surge](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/surge)

## Sources

1.  [Belkin: What is a surge protector and how to choose one](https://www.belkin.com/products/product-resources/surge-protectors/)
2.  [Belkin: What is a surge protector and how to choose one](https://www.belkin.com/products/product-resources/surge-protectors/)

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