Definition: Surge Suppressor/Protector

**Lyte** · 12-29-2005, 12:24 AM

Surge suppressor or protector - "An electronic device that limits the damaging effect of surges on electronic equipment from commercial power plants, generators, and electrical storms. All important or expensive equipment should be plugged into a surge suppressor."

This is a must have item for every home computer. Here a few tips on what to look for...

1. A protection rating of 700 joules is best but if at the very minimum get one of 400 joules.

2. If you're in an area that has lightning, there are suppressors specifically designed to protect against lightning.

3. Be sure to purchas one with an LED light. This is important because it will tell you that there is power to the protector.

4. Some surge protectors offer guarantees (insurance) against their product failing! If you have valuable equipment this maybe an important consideration.

5. Some also have addtional outlets (e.g. phone jack) and include modem protection. Check features as not all suppressors are created equal.

6. Be sure to buy a surge suppressor that's specifically designed for computers.

Kaabi · 12-29-2005, 01:48 PM

They are important, not only to protect your computer but yourself. If you don't have a surge protector and a surge happens, you could get shocked, badly. One of my computers doesn't have a surge protector so I stopped using it when it's raining (even though it could still surge without lightning).

**Lyte** · 12-29-2005, 06:07 PM

You can get shocked?! I didn't know that... that would suck!

Snowbird · 12-30-2005, 12:58 PM

I use a surge protector on my computer. However, when it storms out pretty badly, I would still suggest shutting down and unplugging. My inlaws didn't do that and their computer blew up during a storm. Luckily they had homeowners insurance.

**Lyte** · 12-30-2005, 01:37 PM

Good advise! Some of these protectors come with "insurance" but exactly how is one to PROVE that the protector failed and/or that the lightning strike wasn't beyond the written specifications of protector?! LOL

Yeah, make life easy... just turn the computer off when the weather gets hairy! :eek:

bytewiz · 01-01-2006, 05:17 PM

I am guilty of killing many machines with sufficenit protection against amperage and joules. Usualy because whre I am using has such old outlets i am afraid of saving the computer and blowing the wiring. But I worry about some weird freezes lately and whether or not it might be connected to that. Also, the heater hvac switch is in the wall next to my comp outlet, it flicks a spark inside the housing when i turn it on and off. i sense an ugly disaster one day...

**Lyte** · 01-01-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bytewiz

Usualy because whre I am using has such old outlets i am afraid of saving the computer and blowing the wiring. Also, the heater hvac switch is in the wall next to my comp outlet, it flicks a spark inside the housing when i turn it on and off. i sense an ugly disaster one day...

I wonder if replacing those old outlets a GFI outlet would help. This is the type of outlet that's designed for your washer, dryer, frig... things that use the big 220 lines.

I wonder too, if you shouldn't run the power line for the computer from a (grounded/GFI) outlet farther away (away from the HVAC) and put a couple surge protectors in between. It sounds like a bit of rigging but I had a house built in 1900 and that's what the guy at Fry's told me to do!

McDaddy · 01-01-2006, 10:15 PM

ok GFI is short for GFCI (ground fault ciricut interuptor) i have not seen sgi's on big apliances like Dryers before, those are 220V now in differant states may require them, but i live in texas ans here they are not. but in all states gfi's are located in the kitchen, garage and bathrooms. in the event that water gets in to the plug then it trips the gfi's little breaker in side to the outlet. since these are located in your kitchen and bathroom, they are 110V. as for using computer and tv's ect. durring thunder storms. that is your own call, i do not recomend it.

**Lyte** · 01-02-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McDaddy

as for using computer and tv's ect. durring thunder storms. that is your own call, i do not recomend it.

How might this be bad?? I know it shuts down the electricity to the appliance but doesn't it also block the surge from hitting the appliance which in the case of a computer that would be a good thing. Add this to a surge protector and wouldn't you have a greater buffer between your computer and the outside elements (e.g. lightning)??

I can't say I know this for 110% certainty! This is what was recommended to me by some dude at a computer store... and Lord knows how often they get it wrong! :rolleyes:

McDaddy · 01-02-2006, 05:14 PM

no i mean i dont recomend useing electornics durring an electrical storm

dgridley · 01-03-2006, 07:15 PM

Unless you've invested in a really good surge protector, don't be lulled into complacency thinking it offers any "real" protection. In other words, those $6.99 surge protectors are about what your computer will be worth if it gets a good hit during a storm...

**Lyte** · 01-03-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgridley

Unless you've invested in a really good surge protector, don't be lulled into complacency thinking it offers any "real" protection. In other words, those $6.99 surge protectors are about what your computer will be worth if it gets a good hit during a storm...

Yeah, $6.99 ain't gonna cut it! Do you have a recommendation on a good one???