Protecting your treasured home theater equipment won't require a sword and shield, but at a bare minimum, you'll want to have your TV connected to a surge protector. But not all surge protectors are created equal, as is the case with most consumer tech devices. Generally speaking, if you're planning on adding a surge protector to your home theater setup, you'll want to invest in one that's rated to handle between 1,000 and 2,000 joules. For those unaware, a joule is a measurement of how much energy a surge protector can absorb and eradicate. Your TV likely won't be the only thing you plug into a new surge protector, though.