Surge Protector

[westom]

A lightning strike can not be stopped if close enough due to EMP (Electromagnetic pulse)

Lightning struck a tree. Some 10 meters away was a cow. Did EMP kill the cow? Yes, if a conclusion is only from observation combined with speculation. Science explains it differently.

Lightning is a connection from the cloud to distant earthborne charges. An electrically shortest path is down a tree. And maybe kilometers through earth to those distant charges. Also in that path was the cow. That lightning current traveled up the cow's hind legs. And back to earth on it fore legs.

Speculation with only observation assumes EMP killed the cow. Reality: that cow was struck directly.

Electronics are often damaged by a similar event. Then some assume EMP. A lightning strike outside to earth can find destructive path via household appliances. Similar to how the cow was killed. Underground wires are but another path that lightning uses to enter and damage household appliances.

Speculation says EMP killed the cow. Speculation also blames EMP for electronics damage. Science (as demonstrated by previous numbers and the neon glow lamp) says EMP cannot do that damage.

Underground wires (ie Virgin Media) are another incoming path for a destructive surge. Adjacent protectors do not even claim to protect from that type of surge. A properly earthed protector does.

Unfortunately many also assume a protector stops a surge. None do. Then when damage occurs, many further assume nothing can protect from lightning. Or assume EMP. Protection from direct lightning strikes is routine. So routine that surge damage is often considered a human mistake. In part because all this is so layman simple.

Any protector that would stop a surge is protecting from a transient that was trivial. A protector to stop a surge is an advertising gimmick. Effective protection from lightning has been routine for over 100 years. Has always been about earthing BEFORE a surge can enter the building. And by doing nothing to protect from EMP.

 

[foreright]

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.

 

[Phil2008]

Unfortunately many also assume a protector stops a surge. None do. Then when damage occurs, many further assume nothing can protect from lightning. Or assume EMP. Protection from direct lightning strikes is routine. So routine that surge damage is often considered a human mistake. In part because all this is so layman simple..

So its all a money scam then, people make all these devices and they are just for show and are as much use as a dog turd then?

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.

If I remember rightly he said on a forum that he uses a UPS?

 

[westom]

In a nutshell, how do you protect YOUR equiment if commercial products are no use?

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.

 

[westom]

If I remember rightly he said on a forum that he uses a UPS?

I use a UPS for its useful function - temporary and dirty power during a blackout.

A UPS that actually does surge protection is another example of a completely different device with a same name.

 

[foreright]

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.

 

[westom]

Is that in a nutshell.

Soundbytes are how to misrepresent reality. This topic is made more complex because, "to grasp that means first unlearning myths taught by advertising." Most have no idea what does protection - earth ground. Many even think a wall receptacle ground is earth ground. It is not.

First unlearn myths that recommend surge protectors. That is always hard. And cannot be done by a soundbyte.

Posted above were layman simplified concepts. Its only hard if not disposing of concepts taught by advertising and hearsay.

 

[panyan]

Just get one of those Masterplug Surge Protection Extension cables

Westom obviously knows a lot about the subject, but i think the OP is looking for a product suggestion rather than a lecture

 

[RSRAVI]

I have one of these and cannot fault it.

I have that too brilliant