Surge Protectors?

[wildfox]

The Tripplite Isobars are also really good ...

My objection to this Tripp Lite unit is that it will continue passing power to the connected devices after it sacrifices itself to a destructive surge. This will expose your devices to a second surge. So you have to keep an eye on the green Protected light to see if it goes out, then quickly replace it with a working surge protector to resume protection. Other brands like Belkin and CyberPower operate the same way.

I believe Tripp Lite also offers a model with an audible alarm to warn you if the protective circuitry is no longer working. But you might not want to be awakened in the middle of the night.

As I mentioned in my previous post, there are some cases where this mode of operation may be acceptable. One example would be a freezer stocked with food. You might take a chance that a second surge will not happen versus the certain loss of expensive food which spoils if the power is disconnected.

For most applications, I prefer that the surge protector disconnects the devices if the protection is no longer working. This is how surge protectors made by APC (fail safe) and Panamax (protect or disconnect) are designed.

The design difference is simply a matter of placing the thermal fuse in series with the load. If the fuse opens as a result of an overheated MOV, the load is disconnected along with the expended MOV.

To summarize, I like the APC and Panamax surge protectors.

 

[Belial88]

Thanks for a realistic, down to earth, reasonable response that makes sense, as if you weren't in an alternate reality on cloud 9. So despite the issue with the continual supply of power, which surge protector is actually better? Or, a better value (ie half price but slightly worse kinda deal). Any differences in possibility of insurance pay out for just a $1000-2000 in pc equipment with receipts, documentation?

Dont mind being woken by surge protector if it ever blew.

I use cable internet. I just rent my modem ($7/mo vs having it pay off after 2 years, yea ill just rent it).

As for having an electrician install the whole house protector, yea right. I can do it, it's very straightforward. Have any recommendations on a whole house protector?

 

[westom]

Have any recommendations on a whole house protector?

The very first requirement - it must be rated at for at least 50,000 amps. That determines, among other things, protector life expectancy over many surges. Next requirement is the connection from a protector (breaker box) to single point earth ground. Since length, bends, splices, and other connection characteristics determine how good that protector is during each surge. Brand name has less relevance. Numeric specs and how it is connected define superior products.

 

[wildfox]

... which surge protector is actually better? Or, a better value (ie half price but slightly worse kinda deal).

I would only consider paying more for the Panamax unit if you had unreliable electric service with recurring brownouts. For a more typical situation, the APC P6N is a solid unit and a great value.

Any differences in possibility of insurance pay out for just a $1000-2000 in pc equipment with receipts, documentation?

I'm not aware of any study that compares the claim payout rates across different companies, so I can't say. Also keep in mind that these connected equipment warranties only offer to pay you the depreciated value of your equipment, not the replacement cost. So even in the best case where your claim is paid, your payout may be small as computers/electronics depreciate quickly.

As for having an electrician install the whole house protector, yea right. I can do it, it's very straightforward.

That's your call as you know your skills and abilities. But some factors to consider if you are going to install a whole house surge protector yourself (and for the benefit of others reading this):
- Some areas might require a permit to perform this work. Check your local laws.
- Older homes might require the entire service panel be replaced to accomodate the surge protector. This would be a significant project.
- Your homeowners insurance might deny a future claim if related to any of the work you performed DIY versus using a professional.
- You might electrocute yourself.

Have any recommendations on a whole house protector?

I would rely on Westom's advice.

 

[DPOverLord]

I am curious,

about 6 months back my APC unit did not shut on correctly when I had a surge. As a result 2 of my 30" monitors and computer went Kaput.

I tried filing a claim and they said when they received the APC unit nothing seemed wrong with it so I lost.

How is a claim with APC determined? Are there specific things in the unit that show damage?

This way other people can win their claim vs losing.

 

[wildfox]

I am curious,

about 6 months back my APC unit did not shut on correctly when I had a surge. As a result 2 of my 30" monitors and computer went Kaput.

I tried filing a claim and they said when they received the APC unit nothing seemed wrong with it so I lost.

How is a claim with APC determined? Are there specific things in the unit that show damage?

This way other people can win their claim vs losing.

Sorry to hear your claim was denied. Which APC model were you using? Did you verify that your AC outlet was grounded using a tester (even some 3-wire outlets are not really grounded)?

 

[DPOverLord]

Everything was grounded,

Basically they just said the unit passed all tests so it was not the unit. How do they check the unit. How can I on my side prove that the unit was in fact to blame. Sounds like its just one persons word vs the other.

Is there something we on the consumer side do to verify that our unit is ok. If we touch it all we void the warranty. I am just curious now.

 

[westom]

Everything was grounded,

Basically they just said the unit passed all tests so it was not the unit. How do they check the unit. How can I on my side prove that the unit was in fact to blame.

Start by learning what was in multiple previous posts. You have no hope of understanding why damage occurred, why its warranty is not honored, why a surge passed through that protector that cannot stop a surge, etc without first learning those basic principles.

From facts and numbers already posted, safety ground in a recepteacle is completely irrelevant to operation of a protector adjacent to electronics.

To have protection from a type of surge that does damage, a protector must be within feet of earth ground. Protection increases when a protector is located distant from electronics.

Another surge that typically does not do damage may damage an APC. But you did not have that type of surge. You had a type of surge all but ignored by an adjacent proetctor. And typically does electronics damage As summarzied previously.

Multiple posts are probably so new that you should have questions. Better answers may be provided if your tech identified what part inside a monitor and computer was damaged. Most computer techs cannot do that. Which is why they also do not understands what actually does protecxtion and why that APC did what its manufacturer said it would do.

List specifically what was damaged to better understand why APC replied accurately and how to avert future damage.

BTW a tester cannot even report a good safety ground. It can only report some types of safety ground failures.

 

[DrkMith]

.....

 

[UsandThem]

Are you still arround Bud?

This thread was last active almost 4 years ago, so the depending on who you are referring to as "Bud" hasn't been here in some time.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Are you still arround Bud?

If you click on their user icon.
It says:

bud-- was last seen:

4y 1w ago

So they don't seem to have logged on here, for around 4 years.
So, as UsandThem is also hinting.
The answer is probably NO, not around here anymore.