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.

https://furmanpower.com/products/pst-8?srsltid=AfmBOop72gnLqSHLl057hp-JLTt1L43_1rCBkT7wf_pYYIRCGps7QSCE

 

[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.

https://furmanpower.com/products/pst-8?srsltid=AfmBOop72gnLqSHLl057hp-JLTt1L43_1rCBkT7wf_pYYIRCGps7QSCE

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.