Question Good Surge Protector for PC?

[ascendant]

Since I just built a new PC, figure it only makes sense to get a new surge protector as well. Can someone recommend a good brand, or maybe even a particular one that they know is good? I took a look around online at reviews, but I take website reviews with a grain of salt.

I'm not looking to go over the top $100+ for one. I'm looking for the more affordable, $15-30 range.

A couple I was looking at:

Amazon.com

I like that it handles 4,500 Joules. It's the highest I've come across on Amazon so far. Only down side is no USB plugs, but I can always plug an adapter into a regular outlet, so no big deal with that

Amazon.com

From what I've seen online, APC is supposed to be one of the better brands out there, so considering this one as well. But, I'm open to any you guys feel are more reliable, offer more for your money, etc.

 

[Tech Junky]

USB ports might be nice for run of the mill low watt charging but, an actual adapter is more efficient.

You're on the right track for a high joule strip though.

Pivot-Plug 12-Outlet Surge Protector, 8 ft. Cord | Belkin US

Plug in your electronics with greater ease and flexibility

www.belkin.com

I went with this one a few years ago and it's holding up well. There's a smaller one with less outlets for half the price as well.

 

[In2Photos]

Do you not use a UPS? If not, you should be! I'd buy a nice UPS over just a surge protector.

 

[manly]

In2Photos has the right advice.

That AmazonBasics one is a clone of an APC, with small modifications. I have one on my nightstand, so it's not doing anything challenging whatsoever.
I also have the APC P11U2, and I think it's a little bit better; although built-in USB-A ports aren't that important because these never support "fast charging" and the world has moved on to USB-C.

Joule rating is not the critical factor for surge protectors. What you want is a better (lower) clamping voltage. Sometimes it requires a little extra research to find this spec. For the APC P11U2, Amazon lists the clamping voltage and it looks good, but not exceptional:

L-N 400V. L-G 500V. N-G 500V

Most consumer surge protectors have a clamping voltage that is too high.

Haven't checked it in a while, but The Wirecutter has a good write-up on surge protectors. They recommend a Tripp Lite unit.

Finally IIRC many surge protectors "wear out" over time, even though they are still functional as a "power strip" (meaning no actual protection against surges). As The Wirecutter explains, the best models will stop working entirely when this happens, but this feature is far from universal. As a practical matter, what this means is that most people's dusty surge protectors from before 2020 are good candidates for replacement if they are running anything important.

 

[ascendant]

In2Photos has the right advice.

That AmazonBasics one is a clone of an APC, with small modifications. I have one on my nightstand, so it's not doing anything challenging whatsoever.
I also have the APC P11U2, and I think it's a little bit better; although built-in USB-A ports aren't that important because these never support "fast charging" and the world has moved on to USB-C.

Joule rating is not the critical factor for surge protectors. What you want is a better (lower) clamping voltage. Sometimes it requires a little extra research to find this spec. For the APC P11U2, Amazon lists the clamping voltage and it looks good, but not exceptional:


Most consumer surge protectors have a clamping voltage that is too high.

Haven't checked it in a while, but The Wirecutter has a good write-up on surge protectors. They recommend a Tripp Lite unit.

Finally IIRC many surge protectors "wear out" over time, even though they are still functional as a "power strip" (meaning no actual protection against surges). As The Wirecutter explains, the best models will stop working entirely when this happens, but this feature is far from universal. As a practical matter, what this means is that most people's dusty surge protectors from before 2020 are good candidates for replacement if they are running anything important.

Thanks for the detailed information. Do you feel Wirecutter is pretty non-biased and not bought out by kickbacks? I always take that into consideration when I look at "reviews."

Anyway, I took a look at that article, and a couple others. This is one a few sites all consistently recommended from Tripp Lite that is reasonably priced too:

Amazon.com

Think I might go for that one. Wirecutter tested that specific model, and two other sites gave great reviews based on test results, so should be good to go with it.

 

[ascendant]

Do you not use a UPS? If not, you should be! I'd buy a nice UPS over just a surge protector.

I've been considering getting one, but most of my stuff is set to auto-save anyway, so not a huge deal to me. From what I had read around the web, a lot of sites said you still want to get a surge protector to use with a UPS anyway (though I have seen the ones with both in one). Any in particular that you'd recommend? Any with a decent enough surge protector to forego having both?

 

[In2Photos]

I've been considering getting one, but most of my stuff is set to auto-save anyway, so not a huge deal to me. From what I had read around the web, you usually still want to get a surge protector to use with a UPS anyway. So, I can always get the surge protector for now, a UPS later on when I have some extra money to put into it. Any in particular that you'd recommend? Any with a decent enough surge protector to forego having both?

Solid State drives don't like losing power. Even if you have your data saved, the drive could be harmed in the process. At that point it may not matter that the data was saved. You might not be able to access any of it!

 

[manly]

Thanks for the detailed information. Do you feel Wirecutter is pretty non-biased and not bought out by kickbacks? I always take that into consideration when I look at "reviews."

Anyway, I took a look at that article, and a couple others. This is one a few sites all consistently recommended from Tripp Lite that is reasonably priced too:

Amazon.com

Think I might go for that one. Wirecutter tested that specific model, and two other sites gave great reviews based on test results, so should be good to go with it.

I believe The Wirecutter is reputable, and there aren't too many web sites that do what they do. There's CNET and some other tech sites, and then Consumer Reports is behind a paywall. But The Wirecutter reviews a lot of stuff, not just consumer electronics. I have no reason to believe they are shilling for any manufacturers.

Tripp Lite is pretty reputable in the commercial space; I don't believe I've personally bought a TL product before but they have a solid reputation. More importantly, The Wirecutter explains what goes into a purchasing decision and then you can do your own product research from that point.

 

[ascendant]

Solid State drives don't like losing power. Even if you have your data saved, the drive could be harmed in the process. At that point it may not matter that the data was saved. You might not be able to access any of it!

Thanks for the information. So, in that regard, are they more susceptible to data/hardware damage than the HDDs are?

You have a good UPS with a surge protector you'd recommend, or should I go with each separately?

 

[In2Photos]

Thanks for the information. So, in that regard, are they more susceptible to data/hardware damage than the HDDs are?

You have a good UPS with a surge protector you'd recommend, or should I go with each separately?

It does seem so. I'm not sure if it's the chips or the controller but power spikes/outages are bad for SSDs.

Any of the reputable brands are fine, APC, Tripp Lite, Cyber Power, etc. Pure sine wave units are really nice to have but can get expensive. I typically use a UPS with surge built in, but separate is fine too.

 

[manly]

Thanks for the information. So, in that regard, are they more susceptible to data/hardware damage than the HDDs are?

You have a good UPS with a surge protector you'd recommend, or should I go with each separately?

I'd avoid the cheapest UPS's, which often have two limitations:

• Battery is non-replaceable
• No USB signaling to auto shut off PC

 

[bigboxes]

Thanks for the information. So, in that regard, are they more susceptible to data/hardware damage than the HDDs are?

You have a good UPS with a surge protector you'd recommend, or should I go with each separately?

Just get a good UPS. A UPS will have surge protection built in. You never want to daisy chain them. Surge protection is one thing, but a UPS will help protect your equipment from brownouts (power sags/voltage drops) and blackouts (total power loss). You want to get a unit that has AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation). That means it runs through the battery and maintains a constant voltage. Brownouts and blackouts can damage sensitive electronics, not just data loss. You should also get a UPS that outputs a true sine wave. active PFC power supplies, which are what the modern power supplies are, have difficulty working with simulated sine wave UPSes. Plus, get a UPS with a big enough battery to allow you to outlast short blackouts.That and set your UPS to shut down your PC with X amount of time left. I'm not sure what is best. Many shut them down after only 5 minutes. That allows you to save your data before the shut down. I have two CyberPower 1500VA PFC true sine wave UPSes that keep my main rig and server and all the netwworking equipment up and running for at least 30 minutes. I'm sure the monitor is a big drag on the runtime of the UPS. But this usually allows me to ride out most brownouts/blackouts until power is restored. You also will need to replace your batteries around 3 years. They're lead acid batteries and behave much like your car's battery. It's all part of the cost of owning a computer. I also have an APC model of similar capacity, but I don't use it since my wife passed.

 

[ascendant]

I'd avoid the cheapest UPS's, which often have two limitations:

• Battery is non-replaceable
• No USB signaling to auto shut off PC

How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/APC-Battery-Protector-Back-UPS-BE600M1/dp/B01FWAZEIU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SZMDL118J8GI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TmLshAj6Ch0QEykKiRSe8NYhO3H6ZpmkBXDO3C9DKcgmtmcs-3Hy5jbhNpS3RIjqYU6LSpDyX--Sc4xI_Ng1Bpk0uiWp3UTShyXWH8ht7jlP7imS4vxiE2lxuCFNpwhQGS4fpdKeWynnyMp9EteG-avNKegEYBR4hD2ZbkJds4jFWDsvZpcgbEpqU2EcJL-x6vUjazHzVR9hDcpkUGTylHb2RQIIa0eNH8z-RYVaeAgTsG6FZlLMwIquZf-N4DcaCkBVSuAWMuc2aSNrY52NH5GnphjDeCFFlnzb2BJeKNA.bHHJSZhU4Fh_okx3Gan-uEKHHUAK9uNtvNyQUBhnfu0&dib_tag=se&keywords=uninterrupted%2Bpower%2Bsupply&qid=1722562769&refinements=p_123%3A235046%7C251729&rnid=85457740011&s=electronics&sprefix=uninterupted%2Bpower%2Bsupply%2Caps%2C115&sr=1-1&th=1

Looks like it does have a replaceable battery. Not sure what else I'm looking for on these.

@bigboxes I'd appreciate your feedback as well if you have a minute to take a look at it. Like I mentioned earlier, I don't have a whole lot of extra money to spend, but I did just build this new PC, and so I want to make sure it lasts. I just need enough to protect against surges, and to give me a few minutes to save whatever I need to before I power down.

 

[manly]

It's probably okay as a "starter" UPS. @bigboxes is recommending something more substantial, but you don't necessarily have to "go big."

If you're a Costco member, this will be quite nice for $110:

https://slickdeals.net/f/17523777-costco-members-cyberpower-1350va-810w-simulated-sine-wave-ups-battery-backup-w-surge-protection-109-99-free-shipping-via-costco

It's on sale the entire month of August.

If you're trying to stay below $85, Newegg has the BE670M1 for the same price as you linked over at Amazon (but it's a slightly better unit, same footprint and battery I presume):

https://www.newegg.com/apc-be670m1-2-x-nema-5-15r-5-x-nema-5-15r/p/N82E16842301701

Realistically, if you're okay with a managed shutdown in 5 minutes, then a smaller unit is fine. The math depends on how long of a runtime you need and if you're trying to protect several devices: PC, monitor, WiFi router, etc.

 

[ascendant]

Also, after looking a bit more, this seems like it might be preferable:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DBAAJQ6/ref=asc_df_B00DBAAJQ61722538800000?tag=georiot-us-default-20&ascsubtag=pcg-us-4339397999193562209-20&geniuslink=true&th=1

A little bit more, but has more features, and it's 650 vs the 600 of the first one I linked. A little more, but seems like it'd be worth it?

 

[ascendant]

It's probably okay as a "starter" UPS. @bigboxes is recommending something more substantial, but you don't necessarily have to "go big."

If you're a Costco member, this will be quite nice for $110:

https://slickdeals.net/f/17523777-costco-members-cyberpower-1350va-810w-simulated-sine-wave-ups-battery-backup-w-surge-protection-109-99-free-shipping-via-costco

It's on sale the entire month of August.

If you're trying to stay below $85, Newegg has the BE670M1 for the same price as you linked over at Amazon (but it's a slightly better unit, same footprint and battery I presume):

https://www.newegg.com/apc-be670m1-2-x-nema-5-15r-5-x-nema-5-15r/p/N82E16842301701

Realistically, if you're okay with a managed shutdown in 5 minutes, then a smaller unit is fine. The math depends on how long of a runtime you need and if you're trying to protect several devices: PC, monitor, WiFi router, etc.

Saw your post right after posting my last one there. Thanks, I took a look at that one and put it on my favorites (the one from Newegg, not a Costco member)

To answer your question, all I'd really be looking for is like what you said, something that would give me several minutes to shut down the computer properly so no risk of damage.

 

[bigboxes]

It's probably okay as a "starter" UPS. @bigboxes is recommending something more substantial, but you don't necessarily have to "go big."

If you're a Costco member, this will be quite nice for $110:

https://slickdeals.net/f/17523777-costco-members-cyberpower-1350va-810w-simulated-sine-wave-ups-battery-backup-w-surge-protection-109-99-free-shipping-via-costco

It's on sale the entire month of August.

If you're trying to stay below $85, Newegg has the BE670M1 for the same price as you linked over at Amazon (but it's a slightly better unit, same footprint and battery I presume):

https://www.newegg.com/apc-be670m1-2-x-nema-5-15r-5-x-nema-5-15r/p/N82E16842301701

Realistically, if you're okay with a managed shutdown in 5 minutes, then a smaller unit is fine. The math depends on how long of a runtime you need and if you're trying to protect several devices: PC, monitor, WiFi router, etc.

Again, active PFC power supplies crash on simulated sine wave UPSes. I think I went true sine wave UPS in 2014 when I went to active PFC power supplies. Active Power Factor Correction Supplies for IT Equipment

 

[fralexandr]

Again, active PFC power supplies crash on simulated sine wave UPSes. I think I went true sine wave UPS in 2014 when I went to active PFC power supplies. Active Power Factor Correction Supplies for IT Equipment

Most power supplies run fine on simulated sine waves now, so while true sine waves are better, they aren't going to crash. I suspect the active pfc simulated sinewave issue hasn't been a problem for a while now.

Are UPS with simulated sine wave compatible with Corsair CV650

Are UPS that use simulated sine wave compatible with Corsair CV650 650W 80 Plus Bronze PSU? Thanks in advance! Manuel

forum.corsair.com

Yes. Very few PSUs out there today are not compatible with simulated sine wave.

 

[manly]

APC says this is Active PFC "compatible."

10-Outlet APC BX1500M 1500 VA / 900W Battery Back-UPS $145 + Free Shipping

Amazon has 10-Outlet APC BX1500M 1500 VA / 900W Battery Back-UPS for $144.99. Shipping is free. Thanks to Deal Hunter phoinix for finding this deal. Features:10 Outlets (NEMA 5-15R): 5 surge ...

slickdeals.net

 

[mindless1]

Surge protectors are too complex a topic for the short forum posts I'm willing to make.

You can add the most basic form found in typical outlet strips by just buying some MOVs of the voltage cutoff and joule rating you want, and soldering them between line-neutral, line-ground, and neutral-ground. You can also repair those cheap surge strips that have supposedly worn out by replacing MOVs with the same strategy.

MOVs are just the cheap default way to do it and are best used in combination with other surge suppression strategies whether components in the surge protector or whole site protection. While it's not good to daisy chain power delivery in general, it is not a problem to daisy surge protection subcircuits.

If you wanted to be a *nut* about it, you could easily add the 3 aforementioned MOVs to the PSU of your valuable system. Do not use generics from Amazon/ebay/etc, get major brand components from a supply house like Digikey, Mouser, Newark, etc... depends on your region, which suppliers make the most sense.

I have not even addressed other surge suppression tech, as that comes back to, too long for a forum post about buying a product. I like the Tripp Lite brand when looking for basic surge strips but they do tend to cost more, but I am thinking of them for mechanical features like outlets that are modular and withstand some use and heat, instead of just strips of brass shoved into molded plastic housings like you find on the cheaper units, and yet those might work fine for something you only plug in and unplug once every few years.

Get an UPS.. or don't get an UPS... it is unlikely that you will get much better surge protection than the most basic of 3 MOVs I've already described, in anything consumer oriented even if the UPS is pure sine wave and claims it can make you bacon and pancakes in the morning when you wake up.

Depending on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go, there is benefit to having more than just 3 MOVs protecting your equipment. It's a learning curve, deciding how much protection vs cost and effort vs value of systems and/or data. An UPS is sort of a tangent that doesn't apply because that's more about uptime than quality surge protection per dollar.