Surge protectors

[gnorthern]

What surge protectors do people recommend for their AV equipment? Also, do you need a power conditioner?

1. A search through the forums showed universal agreement that cheap surge protectors are useless. I saw no definition of what a cheap surge protector is, or what is a good one.
2. Based on my experience silicon avalanche diode are the best. We had a sawmill surge in small town that fried a computer three times with higher end MOV surge protectors and no problem when we switched to silicon avalanche diode surge protectors. (years later we bought a high-end UPS). I think this was due to MOV surge protectors wearing out, which is not the case with silicon avalanche protectors.
3. I can't find basic silicon avalanche surge protectors. Are they passe due to price?
4. People disagreed on the usefulness of power conditioners. And I have no idea how to pick one out (Crutchfield has a bunch in all price ranges).
5. I saw in the forums people installing conditioners/protectors in their power box. I never get lightening, so should I consider that?
6. I see silicon avalanche and silicone avalanche devices sold. Is this simply different spelling of silicon depending on country?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

 

[lovinthehd]

Whole home surge protection at the initial entry point. Strips/devices vary with effectiveness and capacity and none will really help in a serious lightning strike. Power conditioners are generally useless jewelry. I asked around for lightning strikes in town and advised quite rare (despite them starting fires in the surrounding forests) and have been 13 years without such and no particular issues (electricity service has not been a problem).

 

[gnorthern]

Whole home surge protection at the initial entry point. Strips/devices vary with effectiveness and capacity and none will really help in a serious lightning strike. Power conditioners are generally useless jewelry. I asked around for lightning strikes in town and advised quite rare (despite them starting fires in the surrounding forests) and have been 13 years without such and no particular issues (electricity service has not been a problem).

So are you saying the only protection that works is whole home protection, and they are not needed if you don't get lightening?

PS - I see you are from Oakridge. Been there multiple times on fires and I joke Oakridge gets so many fires it is the only place with permanent signs to fire camp.

 

[lovinthehd]

So are you saying the only protection that works is whole home protection, and they are not needed if you don't get lightening?

PS - I see you are from Oakridge. Been there multiple times on fires and I joke Oakridge gets so many fires it is the only place with permanent signs to fire camp.

We really don't get fire/strikes in town vs the surrounding forest that then has us facing issues depending on distance/wind etc. No need for a whole home protection surge protector generally where I am, tho.

 

[Verdinut]

A good surge protector not using self destroying varistors is the Furman PST-8. It's well built with a solid metal housing.

Furman PST-8 Advanced Surge Protector & Power Conditioner

Get professional-grade power protection with the Furman PST-8. Features SMP+ and LiFT to stop surges and ensure your AV system performs at its best.

furmanpower.com

 

[highfigh]

Whole home surge protection at the initial entry point. Strips/devices vary with effectiveness and capacity and none will really help in a serious lightning strike. Power conditioners are generally useless jewelry. I asked around for lightning strikes in town and advised quite rare (despite them starting fires in the surrounding forests) and have been 13 years without such and no particular issues (electricity service has not been a problem).

Power stations/sub-stations can cause surges, too- vehicle crashes into facilities, vandalism (which should be difficult, but it does happen) and trees falling on powerlines can be a problem, but that's really for whole-home protection.

Some areas are more prone to strikes- Florida has what manufacturers of electronics like AV and surveillance cams and DVR/NVR call 'Lightning Alley and they see a lot of warranty/service requests due to strikes. I had to replace an AVR and APC surge protector because of a strike outside of a house- the rest of the equipment is still working, but those two were closest. Not sure why the TV and rest of the AV equipment survived- some have external power supplies but all were plugged into the APC.

 

[highfigh]

A good surge protector not using self destroying varistors is the Furman PST-8. It's well built with a solid metal housing.

Furman PST-8 Advanced Surge Protector & Power Conditioner

Get professional-grade power protection with the Furman PST-8. Features SMP+ and LiFT to stop surges and ensure your AV system performs at its best.

furmanpower.com

They used to make one like that which had more outlets and a 12V trigger input- must not have sold many.

 

[Verdinut]

They used to make one like that which had more outlets and a 12V trigger input- must not have sold many.

Their surge protectors are of course more expensive than most other brands, because of a sturdy construction and longer lasting life by the use of better components.

 

[TLS Guy]

So are you saying the only protection that works is whole home protection, and they are not needed if you don't get lightening?

PS - I see you are from Oakridge. Been there multiple times on fires and I joke Oakridge gets so many fires it is the only place with permanent signs to fire camp.

All US members need to get their home to NEC 25, the last revision. If you want to sell you home it will have to meet current NEC for surge protection.

Your electrician needs to install SPD-1 at the power entry to your home. He needs to install SPD-2 at every electrical panel. So if you have one, as most homes do, you need one.

Local surge protectors are useless. Do it right. This protects not only your home AV equipment, but all you other electrical appliances, which these days contain boards packed full of fragile electrical components. This is the era of "chips with everything". So get your home to NEC 25 as far as surge protection is concerned.

 

[highfigh]

Their surge protectors are of course more expensive than most other brands, because of a sturdy construction and longer lasting life by the use of better components.

I have posted about being in the same room as the AV rack when lightning struck outside of the house, sometime around 2014 (may have actually hit the Copper gutter) and I heard a fairly loud snap sound in the room. The Furman Elite 15-PFi never hiccupped and none of the equipment has ever had a problem since it was installed in 2007. Those models are described as 'non-sacrificial'. It's rack mountable and heavy- never looked inside, though.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have posted about being in the same room as the AV rack when lightning struck outside of the house, sometime around 2014 (may have actually hit the Copper gutter) and I heard a fairly loud snap sound in the room. The Furman Elite 15-PFi never hiccupped and none of the equipment has ever had a problem since it was installed in 2007. Those models are described as 'non-sacrificial'. It's rack mountable and heavy- never looked inside, though.

The issue here is, that unit only protects the AV gear and not the rest of the equipment in the house. Getting up to current NEC-25 in my view is essential and should be a top priority for all home owners.

 

[highfigh]

The issue here is, that unit only protects the Fridge and not the rest of the equipment in the house. Getting up to current NEC-25 in my view is essential and should be a top priority for all home owners.

Did you miss the part about the Furman being in the rack with the AV equipment? What does this have to do with a fridge? I clearly posted the model and have never seen their products made for appliances.

 

[TLS Guy]

Did you miss the part about the Furman being in the rack with the AV equipment? What does this have to do with a fridge? I clearly posted the model and have never seen their products made for appliances.

You missed the point. A Furman only protects what is in the rack, but getting the home to NEC 25 with the correct surge protectors, protects everything in the home. I see I made a mistake in the original post.

 

[gene]

Panel protection is a must have, especially in Florida. Most power conditioners are useless other than a convenient demarcation point to connect up your equipment.

see:

 

[TLS Guy]

Panel protection is a must have, especially in Florida. Most power conditioners are useless other than a convenient demarcation point to connect up your equipment.

see:

Gene that is only half the job. The most important one is the one at electrical service entry where National code NEC25 requires an SPD-1 surge protector at entry to the residence. We get lots of electrical storms in Minnesota as well, and they are getting more frequent and worse.

If you have solar, then you also need surge protection at the combiner. We have two panels and solar and so have four surge protectors as required by code.

 

[highfigh]

You missed the point. A Furman only protects what is in the rack, but getting the home to NEC 25 with the correct surge protectors, protects everything in the home. I see I made a mistake in the original post.

Well aware- we have discussed this many times. My point was that the specific Furman that's in the rack IN THAT ROOM seemed to have protected the equipment. Either it did or it didn't- the equipment is still working, so I would conclude that it did.