Surge protector advice

Sad Professor

Alright, so with all the expensive electrical equipment in my room I'm starting to think (belatedly I admit) it might wise to get a surge protector. I was looking in the Argos catalog just to get an idea and they range in price from very cheap (€12) to quite expensive (€75).

From what I've read nothing will really protect your pc/tv from a lightning strike so I'm wondering is it worth spending alot? What's the difference between the cheap and expensive ones, apart from having more sockets/switches/other features?

Most of the ones in Argos have only 2 metre cables which is just a tad too short for what I need. Anyone know anywhere online I might get one?

Also any recommendations/advice on surge protectors would be appreciated, thanks.

Anti

Pcworld sell a nice belkin one for 19.99. Have used it for about a year now. In a lightning storm 3 times. knocked it off, but saved the hardware. They only have a 2M cable too. But just use a standard extension cord to get the desired length you want.

Sad Professor

anti wrote:

They only have a 2M cable too. But just use a standard extension cord to get the desired length you want.

I considered this too but I've heard you shouldn't as the surge protector needs to be connected to the mains to be properly grounded.

Anti

I dont have mine that way, and have never heard it needs to be, All the fancy gizmos that protect the yoke and stuff are in the actual surge protector

Ruu_Old

Nothing will protect your computer from lightning strike, only lady luck. It is misunderstood often that surge protectors will cover this. Surge protectors are not made for it and even the most expensive models only cater for voltage spikes and surges which it channels through the oulets grounding wire.

Sad Professor

Ruu wrote:

Nothing will protect your computer from lightning strike, only lady luck. It is misunderstood often that surge protectors will cover this. Surge protectors are not made for it and even the most expensive models only cater for voltage spikes and surges which it channels through the oulets grounding wire.

Can these spikes cause that much damage though? Or is having a surge protector really necessary? I've never actually had any problems of this sort so I'm not sure if its something I should be worried about.

Ruu_Old

Well the spikes are said to degrade some of the computers peripherals over time, certainly no harm to pick one up. I have one by Power Sentry, the only reason I got it though is because it has 10 outlets which is useful with a lot of computer equipment, and rated as good protection.

scart

APC (american power conversion) make good surge protectors and uninteruptable power supplies athough they are expensive compared to other manufactures but they do offer a form of insurance where by if your equipment is damaged by a power surge/spike while connected to one of their devices they offer compensation for the value of the equipment.
I'v got most of my computer & home entertainment gear connect to either a UPS or surge protector but have never had to make a claim

mukki

donno if the stop lightning in the mains but the deffo stop it in its tracks in the phone line

you have to replace the surge prtector (or sometimes its fuse) after every blast

Sad Professor

Thanks for the advice folks. I need the extra outlets anyway so I'm gonna pick one up shortly. I'll probably get a Belkin although Argos have a tower design with 10 sockets which might be handy.