Help selecting surge protector

[Interrupt]

Im searching for a surge protector online for an important system.

I need at least 6 outlets as I have other pieces of hardware using my current power strip. One machine on my network was already fried from an electrical storm (different thread).

So what would be ideal for a joule rating?

Looking at these:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-BP11223...rge+protectors (4320 joules)

And the less expensive but highly rated, http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Outlet-...rge+protectors (2160 joules)

The reason why I'm asking is I'm unsure if the added protection by a higher joule rating is absolutely necessary for 1 computer, 2 monitors (one of which is CRT), and a bunch of hardware.

Also I will be turning the machine off when I can if I sense that there will be an outage or a storm, the surge protector is a backup since I leave the system on 24/7 and may not always be around to turn it off.

(I realize some expensive APCs have software components that also monitor differentials and try to compensate by automatically shutting down the system if it calculates a dangerous condition, but those are costly for my needs. In my old job our APC also held the system on while powering it down a few seconds after the lights went out... but also that isn't necessary here.)

[Whir]

Stop screwing around with junk. Go for the badass. Signature Series™ Home Theater Reference HTS 5100 MKII PowerCenter™ with Clean Power™ Stage 4



Seriously though, that first Belkin should be fine for any kind of home PC use.

I'm actually still using a Philips I bought about ten years ago at Walmart for $45. It's never failed me.

[Interrupt]

Omg, that might just be the coolest home theater I've ever seen!!

So the second belkin, would you say that's too weak or either of those are fine and just prefer first?

[Whir]

I always go with higher joules because I'm a MOARPOWA kind of guy, but since you're not running a bank of CRTs on the thing, even the lower one _should_ be fine. My knowledge in that kind of stuff is pretty weak though. I honestly couldn't tell you how much mine can handle and I've had three CRTs on it no problem way back in the day.

[Interrupt]

I always go with higher joules because I'm a MOARPOWA kind of guy, but since you're not running a bank of CRTs on the thing, even the lower one _should_ be fine. My knowledge in that kind of stuff is pretty weak though. I honestly couldn't tell you how much mine can handle and I've had three CRTs on it no problem way back in the day.

No problem, thank you so much for your help. I kind of agree with you, plus at the end of the day I figure... is the computer's protection worth more? I figure it is. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't overkill for the price difference but I'm leaning more toward the expensive one. XD I'll see if I have any AMEX points for it too... I'm a cheapo like that.

[Taxmancometh]

It's never failed me.

It will... In a couple years they become fire hazards and should be replaced. It all has to do with the metal oxide varistor or MOV.

Surge protector - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is what I have except it has 10 outlets. Tripp IBAR-12 Ultra Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor | eBay

[ShyguyXPC]

I'm actually looking at a new Surge Protector soon myself, been using the same one for 6 or 7 years now.

actually have to get around to testing my power "needs" from the wall, and get an appropriate sized UPS along with the Surge Protector, still haven't gotten around to testing the power draw from the wall yet.

[Interrupt]

To be honest, I'd love an UPS. My proxy would be up in case of outages, or at least let my system power down appropriately after the power goes out. But yeah, expensive and I don't think I need it. But I wish I did to justify it to myself! Those APCs are awesome.

Now just reading reviews on amazon for those protectors. Man, I hate it when everyone loves an item but 10 out of 120 have trouble, lol. Makes me so indecisive. Is that OCD?

edit- Similar stats to the second, getting Amazon.com: APC P8VT3 8 Outlet 2770J Surge Protector: Electronics -- trust the name, better joule rating, generally better for the price for my needs from what I'm reading. Seems like a fair compromise between the two above.

I don't use/need the ethernet protection. Yeah I know you kinda take a gamble that an electric spike will occur over an RJ45 but it - in my experience - a surge protector does limit performance, and that sort of scenario very rarely occurs. Watch, famous last words.

[Interrupt]

Thanks all again!

The APC units are working well and I'm really in love with the indicator lights (that sounds so damn stupid, I know). I don't know how they hold up against an electrical storm but I *feel* safer with them.

[ShyguyXPC]

Huh... so THATS who this Interrupt guy is...


marknjas033, or was... I for 2 days now I was like Who is this guy posting, haven't seen the name on here, but says they joined last year...

I was wondering if another member had disappeared and recently came back... then I saw this thread and thought to myself, wait a second, someones posts are missing, then realized the posts were the same, but different user name.


Then I remembered you mentioned not too long ago about seeing about changing your user name since you were on so often.


I see now in your profile, you listed that you were formerly marknjas033...


LOL, been driving me nuts for 2 days now, trying to figure out who you were.

[Interrupt]

I'm sorry I should have made that clearer! I didn't want you to think I broke into the real marknjas033's home to steal his surge protector, computer, etc. (Wait, I am still the real marknjas033, aren't I? Geez. Philip K. Dick should write a novel on this, it's getting confusing!!!)

I mentioned it in IIJM but I know you aren't terribly active there (only us slackers are ) You're probably better off (mentally speaking) for not trolling IIJM as much as I do. (Starting to notice symptoms, mind you, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, loss of appetite and a general feeling of anger... oh, that's DIMO, my bad...)

Interrupt ≠ marknjas033. Interrupt = New and Improved™*


Grammar subject to similar deficits. Not available in MA, KY or CA. No guarantee or warranty provided by TIMO: For Your Future® or "Interrupt." Cannot be resold or redistributed for any reason. Void where prohibited.

[ShyguyXPC]

Huh, some one finally gave Westom the boot on here?

Got a notification in my inbox that they replied to this thread, its not here, searched their username and it no longer exists.

[Taxmancometh]

I think Westom was the self know it all when it came to this stuff.

[ShyguyXPC]

No I knew that, I remember a few threads with Him and JP going back and forth, as well as other members, we were all wrong he was right, infallible, etc etc etc... even Stroyal I think went back and forth a couple times with him.

But usually would only pop in for these types of threads, correct everyone, etc etc, and then gone again.

So I assume someone had enough and *POOF*... gone.

[Taxmancometh]

I just wish I new what he said before someone banhammerd him.

[ShyguyXPC]

I just wish I new what he said before someone banhammerd him.

---Quote (Originally by Interrupt)---
The APC units are working well and I'm really in love with the indicator lights (that sounds so damn stupid, I know). I don't know how they hold up against an electrical storm but I *feel* safer with them.
---End Quote---
Surges that can overwhelm protection in your electronics can be hundreds of thousands of joules. That protector is maybe hundreds of joules? So what happens to all that energy?

That adjacent protector contains a thermal fuse to disconnect protector parts (MOVs) as fast as possible during a destructive surge. Leaves that surge connected to electronics. If that thermal fuse does not disconnect protection fast enough, then a catastrophic failure or house fire may result.

View the numbers. How many joules? Hundreds of joules is a surge too tiny to harm electronics. What happens when a destructive surge (hundreds of thousands of joules) occurs?

Undersized is what the light reports. It cannot report any normal failure modes. It can only report a catastrophic type failure. IOW the light will only report that a protector was grossly undersized when it failed. Light suggests not to buy another one that is too tiny.

Other failures (such as degradation) are not reported by that light.
Some scary pictures demonstrate how little that light actually says. All MOVs were removed from the protector. Its light still said it was good. "All 6 MOVs removed from circuit board, but "Protection Working" LED remains lit.":
Truth About MOVs | Zero Surge (Truth About MOVs | Zero Surge)

MOVs are a best protector available. But only if properly connected to what actually provides protection. That protection was never discussed here. Because protection is always a discuss of where energy dissipates.

That light can report one type of protector failure that should never occur. A type of failure that occurs when a protector is grossly undersized. In rare cases, that failure has even caused house fires.

View spec numbers. Where are the actual numbers that define protection from a destructive surge? Where does it say specifically what that light reports? Silence protects sales. Most have no idea what the light reports or why its numeric specs claim no protection from a typically destructive type of surge. Because the manufacturer is mute.

Copied from my Email notice.

[Interrupt]

Wow, he was pretty smart for a spammer. Kinda... Saying light like that reminds me of: what does the scanner see? Does it see clearly or darkly?

It's like saying my router's link lights can tell the future of impending network downtime.

Could use a good grammar checker too... I think they just copy info off Wikipedia and throw your words into it. Some of it is kind of cool.

[Taxmancometh]

I have NO IDEA what the hell he's talking about. I just got my info. from Wikipedia and another forum I'm a member of called Radio reference. He was a troll.