Vote YES for power protection!

[Jim L]

Originally Posted by Automission

Before we all rush out to buy surge protectors, can I ask how many of you have actually had your stuff ruined by a power surge? I imagine the numbers are really quite small.

Several years ago, during a hurricane our power flickered off and on all night. My audio system was off at the time, but a surge hit it and I lost my Pioneer receiver.

After that I went crazy with surge protection. I thought I was ok, but missed 1 item and it was a big mistake!

A couple years ago, after a lightening storm I couldn't get my PC to turn on. I thought "Surely it can't be damaged because I had everything on surge protectors!" I looked carefully at my setup and realized I had missed one thing, the PC speaker system. I had it plugged directly into a wall outlet.

The sound system was in turned connected to my PC tower, which was connected to everything else.

All tolled, I lost:

• My PC - motherboard was fried
• 2.1 PC speakerr system
• Router
• Cable modem

I was lucky that it didn't harm my laptop, LCD monitor or printer which were also connected.

Moral of story: USE SURGE PROTECTION!

[Uberbot]

My family has been cursed by electronic damage here in Florida. My father lost a TV twice.

I vote yes for power protection and have been pleased to report that my Panamax 5300 cleaned up all the audio popping problems I had and noticeably improved my sound quality!

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Thundarr

They are dumping the APC H10 in Silver for low prices because its only available in black now. I got mine for $99 from Tiger Direct with free shipping over Xmas. There are some for $129 on Amazon with free shipping. Why buy a surge protector for $100-150 when you can get this line conditioner for the same price. Its built like a tank and APC is a top name in my opinion. APC is new to the AV field so you can get a really quality unit for a reasonable price.

I got mine for around $115 shipped from APC. I think it's a great unit and would recommend it as well. I also think the silver looks just fine, even though I'm picky about having black in my setup. I plan on updating pics of my setup soon (when my sub arrives) so I'll put up some pics. I would definitely recommend this for someone on a budget as I am.

[jc480]

Because of this thread, I decided to protect my HT investment. I am installing a whole house surge protector at my fuse box this Saturday. For redundancy, I am installing Leviton electric receptacles (in place of normal electric outlets) that double as surge protectors.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by jc480

Because of this thread, I decided to protect my HT investment. I am installing a whole house surge protector at my fuse box this Saturday. For redundancy, I am installing Leviton electric receptacles (in place of normal electric outlets) that double as surge protectors.

whole house surge protectors help.. but you have to check their breakers on a regular basis to make sure they haven't caught a surge and popped !!

[Purplegrasshopper]

Originally Posted by gearyt

whole house surge protectors help.. but you have to check their breakers on a regular basis to make sure they haven't caught a surge and popped !!

What about a unit that saves power and also protects against whole house surge protection?

I'm eyeing this unit. What are your thoughts? Here are the specs:

Specifications: - PS1200 Single Phase
# 20 Year Design Life
# Surge Suppression – 2000 Joules
# Typical Protection For : Electrical Storms, Lightning Activity and Power Utility Spikes
# Let Through Voltage – 150V line-to-neutral
# Load Rating – 20A
# Six-Way Electrical Protection
# 240 Volt AC application
# Withstands surges to 480 VAC
# 50/60 Hertz
# Self-healing metallized capacitors
# Low losses, 0.5 watt per kVAR
# UL Recognized Pressure Sensitive Interrupter
# Interrupter for maximum 10,000 amp fault currents
# Discharge system to reduce voltage to 50 volts or less within 1 minute of deenergization
# Case rupture protection: Internal pressure sensitive devices incorporated to activate at end of life or misapplication
# Operating temperature range of -40° C to +90° C
# Flashpoint: + 182 degree C to + 200 degree C
# UL 810 Listed File Number# E247765, CE and CSA certified
# Values +/- 2% of rating
# Hermetically sealed aluminum case with turn plate steel cover
# Phenolic insulating bushings
# Box size 6” x 6” x 4”
# Operating Life: 60,000 hours with 95% survival
# General Enclosure: NEMA 3R Indoor/Outdoor
# Wire Rating: 600 Volts, THHN or MTW or THWN or AWM, Gasoline & Oil
Resistant 11.

[jc480]

As a follow-up to this thread...it's important to have redundancy in your power protection systems.

If you are going with a whole house protection system (which usually runs around $200ish or so) you still want a redundant backup for secondary peaks. It's a bit overkillish but it's very plausible, from what I've read, that appliances could see a, say, 15% spike in power.

I went the small footprint option...which is to say I converted the electrical outlets into surge protectors without having to run a large APC / strip down in each room.

[Marquoz]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Several years ago, during a hurricane our power flickered off and on all night. My audio system was off at the time, but a surge hit it and I lost my Pioneer receiver.

Same thing happened to me after Gustav hit near me. The power at my condo was surging up and down, I had unplugged everything while I was away, but I wanted to watch TV afterwards to keep up to date. I chose my 17" $199 special at Wal-mart TV to plug in, and it fried within an hour. I wasn't even thinking about plugging the rest in even with surge protectors. It can and WILL happen.

[Go Blue]

I asked this in another thread, but didn't get any replies, so I'll try here.

I have had the below power center for 5+ years now. A couple of the outlets in the back are labeled for Receivers and "switch outlets". The button on the fromt of the unit operates these outlets. These are the only outlets that can have no power going to them when the power center is plugged in. What is the benefit of this? Do I need to have my Onkyo 605 plugged into these switch outlets?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/pro...&s=electronics

[Lucy Diamond]

I trust only Furman.

[Purplegrasshopper]

Anyone have any input on my question 5 posts up? Thanks!

[GodSpeed]

I currently have a monster( ) power strip/surge protector.. Is there a list of Power conditioners with prices that someone can point me in the direction of. Been thinking of picking one up pretty soon.

[Purplegrasshopper]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

Anyone have any input on my question 5 posts up? Thanks!

Is there no one here that can off any advice? I'm begging you!

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

Is there no one here that can off any advice? I'm begging you!

ok... I went and checked it out...
what are you trying to gain ??
expensive for a surge protector
not much of a filter
save money ??
.

[Purplegrasshopper]

Originally Posted by gearyt

ok... I went and checked it out...
what are you trying to gain ??
expensive for a surge protector
not much of a filter
save money ??
you would need a larger unit to support a normat 200 amp house

Guess I was thinking if I could save money (it claims it can save 25% off your electric bill) and also provide whole house surge protection, I'd be a good buy. Is there something else you can recommend?

[mikewills]

Originally Posted by GodSpeed

I currently have a monster( ) power strip/surge protector.. Is there a list of Power conditioners with prices that someone can point me in the direction of. Been thinking of picking one up pretty soon.

Kick ass deal! Get one NOW! 99% of folks will tell you that Monster is junk. I have a Monster myself, so I purchased one of these last night.

http://store.audioholics.com/product...ioner---silver

Mike

[saprano]

wow thats a good deal.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

Guess I was thinking if I could save money (it claims it can save 25% off your electric bill) and also provide whole house surge protection, I'd be a good buy. Is there something else you can recommend?

as you read the Dept of Energy report, It will only be effective on Inductive loads, and older ones at that... Great for an old house with old equipt in it

Don't tell anyone, but I use the Monster Power strip at home and Furmans at work

[Purplegrasshopper]

Originally Posted by gearyt

Don't tell anyone, but I use the Monster Power strip at home and Furmans at work

I looked at Furman for power conditioning, and from what I could read, they are very, very good. However, their conditioners don't have Cat 5e inputs/outputs. Would hate to spend $1000 on a Furman and then have my $5000 TV zapped by the ethernet cable plugged into it.

[DJLEC]

Originally Posted by mikewills

Kick ass deal! Get one NOW! 99% of folks will tell you that Monster is junk. I have a Monster myself, so I purchased one of these last night.

http://store.audioholics.com/product...ioner---silver

Mike

Mike,

Thanks for this.

I also ordered one today after reviewing this thread.

David