Surge Protector

**Akiyama** · 2010-12-30 18:59

So I have a surge protector from Philips that lost it's "Protection' ability I believe. I heard something spark outside when I had a cable guy out here fixing something in another room, and we heard it pop. I think a surge went through my surge protector, making the "Protection" light go off, but stuff plugged in still works. I'm guessing it tripped the breaker inside, so basically.. TL;DR, I need a replacement surge protector.

Any suggestions from the BG-ites here?

**Pikarya** · 2010-12-31 05:13

Whatever you do, don't overpay for one that offers insurances up to a certain amount "1 million dollar damages covered!", etc.

99.9% of them just have a clause in the fine print that protects the company from having to pay you absolutely anything. (Similar to UPS shipping insurance lol).

**xerodok** · 2010-12-31 08:11

Do you want a battery backup surge protector or just a regular reliable one.

**Akiyama** · 2010-12-31 13:13

A regular reliable one would be nice. Just one that has a super high chance of protecting my shit if there's a surge/lightning strike.

**xerodok** · 2010-12-31 14:04

I buy these for personal use and for my company.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SPP159.../ref=de_a_smtd

They are reliable and way better for cable management compared to standard power strips/surge protectors.

**LinktheDeme** · 2010-12-31 17:47

Originally Posted by Pikarya

99.9% of them just have a clause in the fine print that protects the company from having to pay you absolutely anything. (Similar to UPS shipping insurance lol).

i'm wondering about how this clause works if you or anyone else posting knows anything else about it?

**Akiyama** · 2010-12-31 17:58

Originally Posted by xerodok

I buy these for personal use and for my company.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SPP159.../ref=de_a_smtd

They are reliable and way better for cable management compared to standard power strips/surge protectors.

Oh wow, wtf, Haha. Those things look awesome. o.o; But yeah.. this would be for my PC. So external HD, speakers, router/modem, power supply, etc.. so I dunno if that'd be enough plugs for it. D: Still though.. that's cool. I have a Philips, but the protection light just went out a couple nights back, so yeah. The cable management on that is pretty good too.

Here's what I was looking at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812107131

**Knightmare** · 2011-01-01 18:28

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Pivot-O...xp_grid_pt_1_0

Works great for alternating large ac adapters

**Akiyama** · 2011-01-01 19:35

Oh man.. that's actually pretty cool.

There's actually 3 there. A wall mount, 6 feet and 8 feet one. Which one is yours?

**Darus Grey** · 2011-01-01 19:57

Basically just buy something convenient in terms of the plug setup, none of this stuff actually protects anything outside their warranties(which as pointed out, are bogus anyways).

The only thing that will actually protect against a surge is something that will shunt the signal to true earth ground(which you install at the circuit breaker), everything else is just a gimmick.

**Akiyama** · 2011-01-01 20:17

Ahh.. so grounding through the plug (the whole three hole plugs) and all that won't really protect me completely I guess? I guess that's true. Was just curious about a brand and build of surge protectors that were better and it seems Belkin are my best bets.

**Caiyuo** · 2011-01-01 20:28

I'd honestly suggest if you're using this for your computer to opt for a power block+battery backup as I'd imagine even if you were protected from a power surge, you'd still be at risk with losing power. Some have neat features like a master outlet that controls power to other connected devices as well, like only providing power to speakers and cameras when your PC is turned on. Might not be as expensive as you'd expect either. Try this to see your power demands: http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm

A capable and satisfactory backup for my setup was only $87 and has saved my butt a few times since.

**Akiyama** · 2011-01-01 20:38

o.o These set-ups show to be 500$ or more. I'm clearly not adjusting the settings correctly, rofl.

**Caiyuo** · 2011-01-01 20:49

lol, getting the same, I forgot you need to change the "extra power" and "desired run time" to find something more realistic. My needs weren't that great since this house is wired with a generator that kicks in shortly after, but even without that I don't imagine a very long run time would be necessary. This is what I ended up with: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-311-_-Product

**Akiyama** · 2011-01-01 21:01

Ah yeah. Now.. what would you do with these? Like it'd be on my PC, so you'd have the modem/router, speakers, monitor and PC with a 520W Power Supply in there. Would that thing you linked work for that? And I guess it'd be like a surge protector + prevent it from shutting off during the loss of power?

**Caiyuo** · 2011-01-01 21:32

Aw, nah, given that power supply the one I linked wouldn't be sufficient. The lowest I see using newegg's search breakdown that would support that's over $100 and that's probably more you were looking to spend? I'm not sure what those extra peripherals like modem, router and speakers add to power demands, but given the power supply I'd think you'd be looking at something around 650-700~ watts if you wanted to keep looking.

As for what it'd do for you, you've got the right idea. Features varies from model, but the basic idea is that they'd act as a surge protector as well as provide power for a certain amount of time when the power goes out, to allow you to properly power things down or to just act as a bridge until the power comes back up in the case that it's just a short blip.

**Akiyama** · 2011-01-01 21:53

Hrm. I'll definitely keep 'em in mind. Until then though, just to be safe and make sure I have a protection in place for now.. think: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812107131

that one would be sufficient?

**Caiyuo** · 2011-01-01 22:14

I think so, yeah. It rates highly and the outlets have a nice amount of space to accommodate big power adapters. I don't know anything about surge protection so going on what others said above I don't know how useful they are, but it's probably as good as any other surge suppressor you'd find.

**Akiyama** · 2011-01-01 22:29

Well when I had the guy over here who ended up sending a surge through to my room, it obviously hit the 'protection' bit, causing the light to go out, but my stuff was still working, so that's why I figured it actually worked. Not to say that it's 100% all the way through as really, nothing is.. but better than nothing I guess.

**Caiyuo** · 2011-01-01 23:05

Yeah I guess that's why "surge suppressor" is more accurate.

Thread: Surge Protector

Thread Tools

Surge Protector

Similar Threads

Surge Protectors are bullshit, right?

Power Surge

Surge Protector or UPS?

Power Regulation / Surge / Battery Backup help+input

So much for a surge protector.

UPS/Surge Protector

Power Surge?

Latest Threads

Up & Coming Threads

Hottest Threads