Need info on Surge Protection!

[GasCat]

Originally Posted by Woody

Power conditioning provides surge protection, but the main benefit is that they actually "clean" the power that goes to your electronics. An example I always used was when I was a kid, whenever my mom ran the vacuum the TV got all screwed up with static interference, because the vacuum was "dirtying" the power. Power conditioners prevent this type of thing. (Most of you are probably too young to remember that

Typically in TV's it results in better color saturation, as well as less video noise from various sources. (electric wires, microwaves, etc, etc) Another variable is how old your current electrical system is (house wiring). The older the house is the more you will benefit.
.

I am wondering if you would suffer the same problem of static when vacuuming on a digital set? Just curious, I'm sure it would do something but could the set "recover"?

Great point about the older houses needing it. I didn't know about color saturation, if true that's interesting to know.

[pedigree]

Originally Posted by jubaiweaponx

find something with a good joules rating ,meaning it can take a jolt

don't know if this has been answered in previous posts, but what would be considered to be a good joules rating on a surge protector?
keep in mind that all i need to run off it will be my LCD tv, PS3 and laptop computer

[Gremal]

Note that power conditioning and power cleaning are two different things. My observation is that to remove the spikes and grime from the power and have your gear perform optimally, you need power generators like PS Audio's products. I recently upgraded from their P600 to their Premier. It's expensive, but it makes a big difference, especially in audio.

www.psaudio.com

[Woody]

Keep in mind though, the "improved" picture/color saturation can be seen, but sometimes is not totally obvious, sometimes it is only a very slight improvement, it depends alot on your current scenario (power,electronics,home location)

I don't know the answer to your digital TV question, the vacuum example is simply one that is used to show what a power conditioner "does"

What I mean by the age of the home is that older wiring typically has inferior insulation, and father time is usually not nice to electrical systems.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Note that power conditioning and power cleaning are two different things. My observation is that to remove the spikes and grime from the power and have your gear perform optimally, you need power generators like PS Audio's products. I recently upgraded from their P600 to their Premier. It's expensive, but it makes a big difference, especially in audio.

www.psaudio.com

Yes cleaning and conditioning can be different, but typically if you buy a nice unit (panamax/richard grey/etc) it will do both of those and surge protection very well.

Those 2 name brands I mentioned are just what I am familiar with, I am sure there are other quality ones.

[Manco]

Originally Posted by GasCat

Great point about the older houses needing it.

I live in an older home in Los Angeles built in 1926. Although I have completely rewired, I feel the power conditioner really helps. Colors seems more saturated and sound from the A/V receiver just seems tighter and more responsive.

And i just don't have to worry about my equip getting fried when the wife fires up the washing machine and runs the vacuum at the same time!!

[pedigree]

i was considering a Pure AV surge protector and im on the site and it says
quote:
''Home Theater Surge Protector offers the most complete protection from power surges, AC contamination, and spikes available.''

this protection from AC contamination is this the same as power cleaning andéor conditioning?

link: http://catalog.belkin.com/PureAV_det...uct_Id=162961#

also, our house was built 10 years ago so the electrical system shouldnt be in such bad condition

[Chad Varnadore]

Surge suppression is by far more important than power conditioning. But just about any decent power conditioner is going to have surge suppression built-in. Surge suppression is going to be beneficial just about anywhere. But the benefit of other power products will depend greatly on where you live and the quality of the power you're getting.

Apartments in particular will benefit more and areas known for brown outs, etc. But, if you own your own house, it would be cheaper just to run a dedicated line, two, or three to your HT from the panel box and buy some good surge suppression. Isolating your components from the rest of the house may be all you need. That's what I did originally. And never had a problem. But just for the sake of curiosity, when they were steeply marked down, I later added a Monster voltage stabilizer (1500.00 retail) and a Monster 7000 Signature Series balanced power transformer/conditioner/etc (about another 1500.00 if paying retail) to the chain. They look pretty and offers some piece of mind. But in terms of PQ and sound, it didn't make a percievable difference. I've known others that found the results to be profound though. So like I said it depends on the area and individual circumstances.

[pedigree]

thx for the post i really do apreciate it, but im 20, a student and still live at home and i was blown away by the 200$ monster power bars... 1500$ is a little over my price limit especially since im just trying to set my room up all sick. i was looking for something 100$ or lower that will get the job done and well but im only running my laptop, tv and ps3 off it... no audio (not really necessary for my room)
i've seen 40$ monster power bars at bestbuy today... should i just pick up one of those?

[Chad Varnadore]

I wouldn't recommend paying 1500 for any power product unless you know you need it. And like I said, even then, odds are there are cheaper solutions that'll work for many people, if they have the flexibility to add outlets and/or electrical lines where they live. A 40.00 power bar isn't likely doing anything more than basic surge suppression. For basic surge, I like Tripplite, which comparable products can probably be found cheaper online than Monster at retail. That said, many installers will advise you to avoid MOV based surge suppression, which most, including Monster uses. It's less reliable and wears down. "Series mode" protection is what most recommend, like that found in Brickwall products and SurgeX. But those will cost more.

[pedigree]