Arcade machines represent significant investments for both collectors and businesses, making effective surge protection crucial for preserving these electronic marvels. The most common types of surge protection found in arcade machines include Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs), Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs), Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) diodes, and EMI/RFI filters. MOVs are the workhorses of surge protection, diverting excess voltage by changing resistance when voltage spikes exceed specific thresholds. GDTs provide robust protection by ionizing gas between electrodes to create a low-resistance path during severe surges. TVS diodes offer rapid response times, clamping voltage spikes almost instantaneously to protect sensitive components. EMI/RFI filters complement these systems by suppressing high-frequency noise that can disrupt arcade machine operation. Many quality arcade power supplies integrate multiple protection methods, often combining MOVs with thermal fuses that disconnect protection components if they overheat. Proper grounding remains equally vital, providing a safe path for diverted surge energy. For comprehensive protection, arcade operators frequently supplement built-in protections with external surge protectors installed at the electrical outlet, creating layered defense against voltage spikes that could otherwise damage precious CRT monitors, intricate PCBs, and custom control panels that give these classic games their unique character and value.