Surge Protector

foreright · 22 May 2013 at 17:45

Does anyone use or know of a resettable surge protector for their PC. I have used the "cheapie charlie" 4 Gang Surgeguard ones. The problem is once the MOV has blown, if the block is hidden behind a table. You fail to see the green light is extinquished and the block reverts to a plain 4 Gang extension lead and offers no protection.
Although they are cheap at £10 each, they are a risk I would rather not take in light of the fact that I lost one PSU a while ago and notice that this block has already had one surge and is again useless. At least I noticed this time. Any suggestions please.

foreright · 22 May 2013 at 18:11

Idleman said:
I have one of these and cannot fault it.

What happens following a surge. Do you reset it, dispose of it or does it become an unprotected extension lead.

I ask as these are what I use, similarly Masterplug
http://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplu...tracking url&gclid=CMG___iaqrcCFSXLtAod3yUA7w

foreright · 23 May 2013 at 05:47

Thanks for the detailed response to surges. but most of it was a bit too complicated for me.
All I want is protection and if possible a lead that is will cut out following a surge and need resetting rather than reverting to a conventional extension lead.

foreright · 24 May 2013 at 07:56

Personally, I wished I'd never asked. I've got a headache now. Thanks for the contributions nonetheless Phil. Weston only posts about power issues and reels off the same over the top answers to all posters. Too much for me!

foreright · 25 May 2013 at 09:03

Weston
In a nutshell, how do you protect YOUR equiment if commercial products are no use? Assuming that's what you're saying.
Can you give me a concise answer, please.

foreright · 25 May 2013 at 17:19

westom said:
Two completely different devices exist. Both are called surge protectors. One (I assume you are calling commercial products) do not even claim to protect from typically destructive surges. Another device (also sold commercially) is part of what protects from typically destructive surges (ie lightning).

Those two devices are easily identified by every consumer. Ineffective protectors do not have and will not discuss earth ground. (Remember, earth ground - the electrode - and safety ground - the wall receptacle prong - are electrically different.) An effective protector has a wire for the dedicated and low impedance (ie 'less than 3 meter') connection to earth ground. The difference is that simple. Latter devices typically do effective protection for about £1 or £2 per appliance.

Which 'surge protector' means protection? You know that every time with an answer to this question: Where does energy dissipate? Either inside the protector (hundred or a thousand joules). Or for the effective protector: in earth ground (hundreds of thousands of joules).

A less expensive commercial device called a surge protector is also the superior solution. These are sold by companies known for their better reputation including Siemens, Keison, ABB, and Aelgroup.

It was always this simple. The protector does not do protection. Protection is always defined by what absorbs hundreds of thousands of joules: earthing electrodes. But to grasp that means first unlearning myths taught by advertising.

Is that in a nutshell.