Surge Protection Question for the techies

tawnyowls

I would never be without a surge protector. Essential piece of equipment, in my view.

trigger_mike

I never knew about surge protectors until my last PC blew up, took it in and was told it has a surge and had cooked it's self.
Expensive lesson learned.

quoia

albertross wrote:

it's a battery, ............

It a bit more than a battery.

Uninterruptable
Power
Supply

Yes there is a battery (4 x 12V in mine) plus a battery charger and a mains inverter.

When the mains goes off at my house and the street is in darkness, my PC, monitor,broadband modem, network hub (and printer, scanner etc. if needed) all continue as if nothing has happened (and as far as all the PC system is concerned - nothing has !)
My UPS will provide enough 230 volts for my PC and a few other things for several hours.
Can still watch television etc.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question28.htm

sleepali

I live in Stockport and the Electricity here is really dirty, every time there's a 'switch over' all the lights in the house go really dim and I get lines across the telly.

Just before christmas, we had a spike/surge which took my PC out completely. I had to buy a brand new PC but I also bought one of these:-

APC BACK-UPS ES 350 UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00011PH38/202-7937821-6646249?v=glance&n=560798&s=electronics&v=glance

I have lost count of how many times this has 'stepped in' and saved my new PC from bad electricity, it's been a godsend. I know that it might sound a bit expensive but it is far far cheaper than having to buy a new PC!!

A few weeks ago, we had another spike/surge which took out my DVD recorder (plugged in to my telly) so I bought this to protect my telly/video/freeview box/DVD player etc:-

Belkin Pure AV Home Cinema Surge Protector - 6 socket, Tel/AV protection

http://www.misco.co.uk/productinformation/~47503~/BELKIN%20PUREAV%20HOME%20CINEMA%20SURGE%20PROTECTOR%20-%206%20SOCKET,%20TEL%2FAV%20PROTECTION.htm

This has also been well worth the money as a bad lighting storm recently took out my telephone but protected all my other expensive stuff.

My advice is please please protect yourself against any eventuality 'cos it's too dammed expensive otherwise.

albertross_2

It's still a battery..

sleepali

albertross wrote:

It's still a battery..

The APC comes with software which will detect 'danger' to your PC and shut it down gracefully, don't know many other batteries that do that!

quoia

albertross wrote:

It's still a battery..

As is a LEMON, but if you think a box full of citrus fruit and a few bits of wire will keep your PC working in the event of a power cut, then I suggest you visit the greengrocers in the morning !

albertross_2

I know perfectly well what a ups is, what it stands for, how it works, how heavy they are..

I have used them and lugged them around server rooms for years. AllisonW knew what a surge protector was, and wanted to know the difference between that and a UPS.

Essentially the difference is that it includes a battery.. If someone wants to post a circuit diagram, and a full technical specification feel free...

I was just answering Allison's question succinctly. If she really wants to know the details, she can google and wade past entries for a courier company.

banger9365

all my high priced stuff are plugged in to Surge Protecters(tv, pc ,mobile phone dvd recorders ,and hifi's ect) never had one thing go bang put my friends father had a fryed modem the other week in the storms and it might had damaged is pc has well has the speed of the cpu is showing lower than it should me

decrement

can anyone recomend a good surge protector, i need one for my new pc
thanks