On Monday, October 26, 2015 at 12:55:46 PM UTC-4, wrote:
When the power comes back on, particularly in those storm situations
where the power never really goes "out" but the lights blink - THAT is
when you get real "surges" - not to confused with the high amperage
high voltage "spikes" created by lightning. They can damage sensitive
electronics over time.

Surge is a subjective term used to describe low voltages, low currents, high voltages, radio frequency noise, and low voltages. The 'surge' discussed here is a current from a current source that will increase voltage on anything that might try to stop it. That is not the 'surge' you have described..

That type surge is already made irrelevant by what is inside appliances. For example, computers has a safety lockout. This lockout must be cleared by disconnecting its power cord from the wall. No protector claims to or will even discuss this 'surge' that is irrelevant to the topic.

If inductive loads are creating surges on AC mains, then AC power switching off 120 times a second is also creating surges. Once we include numbers, those inductive generative surges (high voltage) do not exist. Those surges are slightly higher current often associated with a reduced line voltage.

What happens when that type anomaly occurs? Depends on numbers. Some are so short that no electronics sees the short power loss. Other are so long that electronics simply power off - then restart. In both cases without any hardware damage.

This anomaly could be a problem especially with electronics in the 1950s and 60s when hardware was not as robust. Today's power supplies profit from over 100 years of design advancement.