What would be a good surge protector to get?

[Denvers Dawgs]

I've only seen Monster Power ones. I'm looking for ones that have cable in/out as an option?

[BJ_M]

panamax

[zzyzzx]

One in a metal case.
One where you have enough empty space inside it to add components if you so desire.

[lordsmurf]

The most expensive one you can afford.

Lets assume you want one for home use....

I like the Cyberpower ones with AVR, found at Best Buy and other places. Anything over $100 tends to be pretty nice.

Of course, I refer to not only surge protection, but battery backup with voltage regulation/filtering. What good is a surge protector? Lose power, and you still get the same result. Sucks. With a battery, you're still okay (at least long enough to save, quit what you're doing, and properly shut down).

[slacker]

The APC Smart UPS 1000VA Power Backup - 1000VA/670W runs about $400.

The APC BACK-UPS 900VA 120V Uninterrupted Power Supply with USB Com Port runs $170.

Rock solid!!!

[redwudz]

Most surge protectors use MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistor), that destruct when handling large surges. I've had several blown out. But they did their job and saved my equipment. This is the minimum protection you should have on any electronic equipment, IMO.

Information about surge protectors: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector


If you want surge protection and brownout (low voltage) protection, along with the ability to shut down your system in a orderly manner when the power fails, a UPS may be a better choice. I use a 500VA and it can run the computer and 17" CRT monitor for about 5 minutes or so. Enough to save what ever I am working on.

Information about UPS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply

[Conquest10]

I would say it depends on where you live. Here, it is a waste to get one with battery. I bought one with my first computer. Never once used it. Power never goes out here. A month after warranty, it just starts this loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg beep. I had to disable the battery in order to shut that off. And with that went half the plugs. Just a big waste of money and space (that thing was huge).

So now I just use those regular ones sold at Radio Shack.

[MOVIEGEEK]

You want one that says "Surge Suppressor" because it offers better protection,also look for "RFI/EMI Noise Filtering".I recommend a Tripp Lite powerstrip because they are good and economical:
http://www.tripplite.com/hometheater/surge.cfm

[lordsmurf]

it just starts this loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg beep.

Your battery was dead, or you overloaded the circuits, or both.

[Conquest10]

Your battery was dead, or you overloaded the circuits, or both.

Yeah, I assumed it was dead. It was like 3 or 4 years after I bought it.

[Nelson37]

Tripplite is utter and complete crap. Better than nothing, but not by much. I worked for the local distributor for several years.

APC and Panamax are the ONLY two I know of that do not invalidate the insurance coverage in case of a large surge. In Southwest Florida, this is extremely important. I have had PC's that literally caught on fire.

Panamax are way too pricey for me, also nobody stocks them around here. APC the very best, IMO, fewer than 5 claims of damage in over 15 years here, they have never failed to pay. Including one direct lightning strike, one hit next door, and one where the power company sending 220 volt through the 110 lines.

Compare that to dozens of fried PC's through every other brand I have ever heard of, with the exception of Panamax and Minuteman, which are quite rare. APC units can be found for under $50.00.

Never, EVER, plug a laser printer into a Battery Backup, unless it is over 1500 watts.

BTW, these common units are NOT UPS, they are Battery Backups. True UPS never switches, it is always on battery. Very expensive.

[BJ_M]

i use a BEST (Eaton's Powerware) FERRUPS 5.3kw system at home ... it weighs about 500lbs - can power most of the electronics in the house (also have a back up generator (2 of them - one is powered by natural gas, the other gas) .

both my theater room and my office are wired to the BEST unit - which is mounted by the power panel ..
The FERRUPS is a true conditioner and UPS, it always is running ....

I have a rackmount FERRUPS 2.4kw unit also - that i dont use and should sell .. it needs new batteries ...

I dont think there are any better UPS's than the BEST FERRUPS..

All my power bars are either PANAMAXs or ISOBARS ...

[BJ_M]

I agree about the Tripplites , i've seen them installed in some systems and had to be replaced all the time -- they seem to die all the time without warning ..