Electronic devices of the 90's typically had a transformer at their input. That would then be rectified and put directly into the electronics.
Any voltage surge will get nearly all internal components.
Modern devices almost universally have a switched mode power supply (cheaper and better). They effectively isolate the low voltage internal components. A brief voltage surge impacts only the diodes and capacitor on the input of the flyback supply. It's far easier to design those to be resilient to voltage spikes.
I wouldn't bother with a surge protector for any device made after 2004. They will be fine from all but a direct hit, and even if they get a direct hit, probably replacing a single 5 cent capacitor will fix them.
Comments
Electronic devices of the 90's typically had a transformer at their input. That would then be rectified and put directly into the electronics.
Any voltage surge will get nearly all internal components.
Modern devices almost universally have a switched mode power supply (cheaper and better). They effectively isolate the low voltage internal components. A brief voltage surge impacts only the diodes and capacitor on the input of the flyback supply. It's far easier to design those to be resilient to voltage spikes.
I wouldn't bother with a surge protector for any device made after 2004. They will be fine from all but a direct hit, and even if they get a direct hit, probably replacing a single 5 cent capacitor will fix them.