Surge Protectors are they really needed or a scam?

They're more of an issue in places where voltage variations are common.
In general, Ireland seems to have very stable voltage, certainly in urban areas and small towns. You might get some issues way out in the country with low voltage but, ESB networks will usually sort it out and brownout and spikes are relatively rare.

In the US we had equipment fried a few times due to spikes and brownouts (periods of low voltage.) weren't unusual. That was in suburban Boston so you invested in surge protection!

Also, in the UK in the past power was distributed at 240V rather than 220V as in Ireland and other EU countries. Equipment is generally designed for 220—240V so, a spike in Ireland or France might be within that band, where as in Britain it might go beyond what an appliance could cope with as the supply voltage is at the high end of the tolerated range anyway.

Nominally, everything in Europe is now 230V but, some supplies are still 220V or 240V in the UK which makes the UK a bit more spike prone.

Also, countries with high air conditioning loads tend to be riskier, so as you head to southern European during a hot summer you are potentially going to see more voltage fluctuations than in misty Ireland

johnwest288 wrote: »

Aha I think i know why my tv didnt blow.. Would i be right in saying this is a Surge Protector in the Fuse box?
Has a flick switch like a normal trip and also like a push in button

Says:

SIEMENS
5SM1316-0
RCCB
63A
30MA
800A
UN 125...230V
100A

Are they fitted as standard to fuse boxes in houses and apartments or did the previous owner fit it?

no it's an rcd