Surge protectors

DadaKopf

I need to get one for a computer (Mac as it happens).

What would be the best one/type to get? The reason for getting it it is because the place it'll be plugged in to has old-fashioned wiring and isn't too good at keeping out nasty overloads (a lightning storm fried the iMac).

Suggestions/advice, please.

Dempsey

I think any of them will do the trick

DadaKopf

Which kinds are better than others? I understand some get worse over time.

What kinds are there? Trip switches? Battery backups? What?

BloodBath

You only need the battery backups if you want to keep the machines running in the event of a power surge. It probably doesnt matter so a trip switch will do the job.


BloodBath

Dempsey

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Protects from power surges while preventing power loss and brownouts. They cost money.

Surge Protectors- Protect from power surges but no power loss protection. Cheap and everyone should invest in one.

Trip Switches - I know what they are but will they protect electrically sensitive equipment, i dunno

BloodBath

I meant surge protectors not trip switch. Have to get one myself. I think argos have them.


BloodBath

Woden

yeah one of the things i keep meaning to get.

you should get one that allows you to plug you phone line in to protect a surge on that also. not sure how it affects external dsl modems for example but it can stop you dialup modem being fried which can happen even if everything else survives

data

Dempsey

Originally posted by Dataisgod
you should get one that allows you to plug you phone line in to protect a surge on that also.

Friend of mine had just gotten a PC( it was a P3) Lightning struck, blow the Modem Card apart, fried the motherboard, and probably everything else of value in there. Imagine that happening to your new pc that you built or bought that cost you an arm and a leg.

I only seen protectors with RJ11(normal phone line) connectors on them.

Kali

Peats used to (dunno if they still do) sell Belkin 4-gang surge protectors for 20euro.. they're pretty decent.

davidclayton

let me explain to ye the little known secret of surge protectors...
[i researched it for a project in my final year of industrial design]
they are protected by MOV's [Metal Oxide Varistor]
when you get a surge, yeah sure, it'll protect you from the spike.
the MOV will absorb all the energy.
but then it's fu*ked...
but here's the best part.
you don't know if you've had a surge, coz your little light on the adapter
is stilll shining, and still letting power through to your pc.
but it's not protected anymore!

i know, i know... you're probably thinking i'm talking poo.
you would have heard this before, surely?
no.

he's some pages to back me up:
learn about how they work:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/surge-protector.htm
learn about their faults:
http://www.zerosurge.com/HTML/movs.html

dave

Dempsey

The one i have have a power light and a surge protection light, i presume the surge light will go when the MOV is bust. Depends how big the spike is and how much power the MOV can take.

Philbert

DadaKopf,

I was in the exact same position as you only a few weeks ago. I was looking for a UPS for my PC because every once in awhile I would accidentally let the esb meter run down and it would blackout my PC (which is not good for PC!)

I did a lot of research into this and I completely agree with davidclayton, surge protectors are a complete waste of time. So my best option was to get a UPS which can be quite expensive. Eventually after looking at nearly every Irish website out there I found a “Mustek PowerMust UPS 400 Plus” for €79 including delivery from Munster Computers

I am very happy with it. It is a backup power supply, surge/spike protector, blackout protector and power conditioner - everything a good UPS is meant to be. The software is excellent too although you might want to ask them if the software will work on Mac, id say it does though it will work just fine without the software.

Hope this helps;)

Sniipe

Belkin have a warrenty on there surge protectors, something like €80,000 protection of products connected. They have a light on them to tell u if ur machone is connected. And when the MOV is Kaput they will replace it for free, cept u have to pay for postage and packaging!

Dempsey

Originally posted by Philbert

I did a lot of research into this and I completely agree with davidclayton, surge protectors are a complete waste of time.

I'd be more pissed off if my machine was blown up more so than loosing 5 minutes of work.

Surge Protecter come now with a surge light and a power one to tell you if the MOV is blown.

I suppose it depends on your situation wether you need a UPS or just a Protector.

davidclayton

i don't know how frequent serious spikes occur,
but i suppose surge protectors are so cheap now
that you could just go buy a new one every time the light goes out.
assuming that isn't that often.

dave

elexes

id go with the belkin ones if i was u . there warrienties look good

but imo they wouldnt stand a chance against a lightning strike

almost everywhere sells them afaik argos was the most expensive place when i bought mine

leeroybrown

In my experience they don't burn out very often but they're worth having when they do. In any event most of the good surge protectors come with insurance and a lifetime warranty so that if it burns out you _should_ be able to get it replaced.

Most people will need a power distribution bar for their PC and office equipment anyway so the extra few euro for the protection and insurance is worth it. I'd agree with Elexes that the Belkin ones are good and reasonably inexpensive.

eirlink

be aware that a surge protector will only absorb power surges/spikes which come via the electricity supply.
this type of protector WILL NOT protect you from a lightening blast coming down the phone line into your modem

I recommend that you use a surge protector on the mains supply....radionics do one which Eircom use (radionics order code RS2067522)This is a surge and filter protector for mains supply

As regards the phone line i suggest you ask radionics for one,I know they have a brilliant on which Eircom use but unfortunarely I dont have the order code.

It is worth noting that the vast majority of damage is done by lightening coming down the phone line into the modem and flashing over onto nearby components/motherboard
this is caused by lightening thking the shortest route to ground and hitting outside lines on its way

hope this helps

regards
eirlink

aaf

A little off-topic and I'm sorry for stealing the thread but I have a Belkin Surge Protector. It has 6 sockets and a few phone line sockets. My problem is, I have used up the 6 sockets and need another socket. Can I just get an adapter and plug it into one of the surge protected sockets? Don't want to have to fork out another €25 for another surge protector when all I need is one more socket. I have only one power socket in the room.

eirlink

yep,once the protection is in front of the connections/appliances

regards
eirlink