Originally Posted by pgthom
I have my machine and my light on a power strip, which I turn off when I leave the studio. Light serves as a reminder to turn it off, so serves a dual purpose.
That's fine for turning off power on the power strip to your machine and light, but it won't protect it from a power surge when it's turned on. You need a surge protector.
It also won't protect it from a lightning strike or a power surge from a tree falling and taking out wires and a transformer. It will run through the wires even when off.