[Wlug] Surge Protectors (Not Linux Specific...)

Hi all, This is not Linux specific, but there must some EE types that can answer my question. What's the REAL meaning of the Juole rating on surge protectors? Is 3000 joules "better" than 2000 joules? Is there a "minimum" joule rating that is considered good enough for most common environments? Thanks for your help, -Chuck -- Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/