Power surge protector

[toneystone]

Does anyone own a surge protector costing over $150? Is it worth buying one when you have high definition components? Is there really a clearer picture and sound? I just want some opinions before I consider buying the high end surge protectors.

[dphirschler]

I consider it a waste of money if you are buying it to improve your picture. Buy one to protect your components and offer battery backup, but not to improve your picture.


Darryl

[ozymango]

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic329742.html

Condensed version: Look for specific features on a surge protector, along with UL rating, to determine what's best for your needs. More money doesn't automatically equal a better protector!

And yes, $150 is too much for a surge protector. Unless it's also a UPS.

[Bjs]

$150 is not that expensive .

Mine includes 5 separate av inputs / outputs , hdmi sockets , 5 years warranty , and $400,000 connected equipment protection .

A ups serves two things well only .

A: Power outages (you don't loose work , and time to shut the pc down in a safe manner) , and
B: Power filtering (essential for those connected on the end of the grid) .

Considering those facts , most of those general ups's , are not designed , nor intended , to replace main connected power .

I have seen several users with multi battery banks , using the ups in a manner it was not intended for , to run the pc and everything else connected to it , for hours .

For this type of application , I recommend a quality inverter , designed with full sine wave rectification , to be interfaced between the battery bank , and the ups .

If the inverter is not "full sign wave rectified" , problems with pc , and connected equipment can , and will have problems .

In the case of laptops , the battery will affected , and die , sooner than it should have .

[JimboS]

Bjs your full of kangaroo crap!!!!
A UPS for $40 usd will not only protect equipment but also filter the power...
Anything without a battery is a waste of money...no protection..no filtering...

[ozymango]

$150 is not that expensive .

Yeah, but that's $150 AUS. That's like $50 US! :P

Seriously, read the link above on surge protectors, you do not need to pay $150 for good protection. You can get a fully UL certified protector from APC for about $25 (US) that'll protect your stuff up to $75,000. I suppose if your house burns down -- and you can prove it was due to a faulty surge protector -- maybe you could get your $400,000 from your surge protector. But I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

[toneystone]

Not only I'm wanting a good protector for surges but I'm concentrating on video and audio quality. For example, those Monster's, Belkin,etc., power units. Is it worth it?

[Nelson37]

Short answer, no fuckin' way.

Belkin is cheap crap. Monster is extremely overpriced crap. Neither one does anything a decent UPS does not do.

Extremely rare to actually need line conditioning or voltage filtering over and above what a good APC surge protector or UPS can do. Rare to the extent that I have never seen or heard of an actual need for such equipment.

[Bjs]

JimboS .

"A UPS for $40 usd will not only protect equipment but also filter the power... "

Obviously , I did not state that a ups did not protect equipment , on the grounds that both devices , by default , DO .

"Anything without a battery is a waste of money...no protection..no filtering"

Obviously you have no understanding that a power board with some form of spike protection is better than NOTHING , and they DO provide a REAL level of protection and filtering , even if it is at a basic level .

The main difference between the two items involved is that a ups will give the user , time to save their work , and shut the pc down in a safe manner , should main power fail ... Thats what I said .

Ok , so you actually plug your ups straight into the power socket on the wall ... Your mad ... Mine is plugged into the powerboard (it takes the brunt) , which means my ups will last far longer than most .

Funny stuff that , while everybody elses equipment fails , mine , years later , bought at the same time as the others , is still going just as strong as the day I bought it .

Thats real money in the bank , everytime , and my clients banks as well .

The other consideration to take into account is the fact that a power board is far easier to obtain a replacement should it fail , in almost , all places .

Ups's are not a common stocked item , and it can be weeks before its either repaired / replaced , depending on where the user lives , and in all cases I have been involved in , the user wants to access their pc as soon as possible .

Thats why , in such an event , I have what I refer to as a loaner , while there's is being repaired , or waiting for the replacement to turn up . How many techs do you know do that for clients , none I'd say , and thats why I make $90,000.00 per year , and growing .

This should be common sense ...

Out of curiousity , how the blazes did you come up with 150au is about 50us ... when the current exchange rate notes it as being $123.105us .

Some people here , cant do simple maths .

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Nelson37

I have belkin products and belkin do not make rubbish , but I am in total agreement that monster is way over priced and the average person wouldnt touch them .

These items , from monster , I bought a while back , and are still on the shelf here , collecting dust , for all there worth .
Poor quality fittings .

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toneystone , check whats available at local stores , and only if they dont have a quality brand named unit , seek to have the store order it for you as it will make it handy , should you need to deal with the device under warrantee later .

Belkin makes excellent products , and there fitted connections are perfect .

They dont provide anything that improves video / audio quality , thats a completly different device you would be looking for to fill the requirement .

[toneystone]

Bjs, who and the hell said I was referencing Australian currency. I reside in Georgia!!! But thanx for your advice.

[ozymango]

JimboS .

Out of curiousity , how the blazes did you come up with 150au is about 50us ... when the current exchange rate notes it as being $123.105us .

That was me. And that was what we call in the United States "a joke." Dunno if they have those in Australia or not ... maybe jokes turns in a different direction down there, like the way I hear water spins the opposite way down the drain ...

[Bjs]

By the time you take into account the exchange rates , its not that far off ... unlike some people here which cant do simple maths .

I was basically refering advice as to what I was prepared to pay for a quality product , even if it means I have to seek it from an overseas source , which I have done in the past .

I have seen people complain about the quality of monsters products , and being quite pricey , yet belkin covers this area quite well , and I have never had anyone complain about the belkin products that I have installed for them .

Thats the problem , they get me to do all their work , I get paid well for it , and I might not see them for 12 months , and then its "I want to upgrade" .

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That water issue just needed a bigger plug ... lol

[Nelson37]

I will amend my statement that Belkin makes cheap crap.

Belkin makes inexpensive crap. Some of it is just slightly better than nothing at all. The only Belkin I would buy is cables, or maybe an adapter if there is nothing else available.

If you are going to get something better than a plug extender, get a REAL surge protector like an APC or a battery unit.

I remember when I worked in the PC store years ago, some guys tried to sell me the same surge protectors used by Ford Motor Company. Charts and graphs, the whole bit. I held up my APC. THESE guys PAY FOR my fried components. But we have the new, Super Whizzo 3000! Do you PAY for my fried components? No. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

[hanugro]

Buy a real time (on line) UPS for a bit more. it continuously offer sinewave output and no interruption at all when the electricity down.