TV oulet/surge/what do you do??

[seanYsean]

I am finishing up my basement and have a question. For those that hang their tvs on the wall, how do you protect against surges if you plug your tv into an outlet that is hiding behind the tv so you do not see any cords hanging down? I thought about using a GFI outlet, but do those really work well for this? I will put my components on a surge protector and I thought maybe running an extension cord up through the wall or something like that but that seems silly to do. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[highfigh]

I am finishing up my basement and have a question. For those that hang their tvs on the wall, how do you protect against surges if you plug your tv into an outlet that is hiding behind the tv so you do not see any cords hanging down? I thought about using a GFI outlet, but do those really work well for this? I will put my components on a surge protector and I thought maybe running an extension cord up through the wall or something like that but that seems silly to do. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

A GFCI isn't made for protecting against surges of any kind. Panamax and other companies make recessed surge protectors but the best method is to use a whole-house unit, attached at the breaker panel.

 

[Davemcc]

Huh. Good question. I hadn't thought about this while I was making my plans for in wall wiring.

 

[seanYsean]

Huh. Good question. I hadn't thought about this while I was making my plans for in wall wiring.

I kind of thought about it after I ran all my speaker and cable wire and the electrician was over looking at what all was needed when I thought about it. I know the breaker is supposed to catch a surge, but I've been hit by lightening once while living in an apartment and the breaker didn't catch it, lol. What bout something like this? I am no electrical person so please take a look, would this outlet work?

 

[seanYsean]

post count update

 

[seanYsean]

makes #5 so I can post this link

 

[seanYsean]

ok..now for the link

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-PowerProtect-outlets-MP-AVFL200/dp/B000E312X2

 

[Davemcc]

ok..now for the link

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-PowerProtect-outlets-MP-AVFL200/dp/B000E312X2

It says "Monster" right on the unit. It could wash my car, make me bacon for breakfast and make me irresistible to the opposite sex but I still wouldn't have it in my house.

Yes, I'm prejudiced and I am the kind of guy that would chew off my own nose to spite my face.

 

[seanYsean]

It says "Monster" right on the unit. It could wash my car, make me bacon for breakfast and make me irresistible to the opposite sex but I still wouldn't have it in my house.

Yes, I'm prejudiced and I am the kind of guy that would chew off my own nose to spite my face.

Ok, so that product won't work because of the manufacturer name, do you have any solutions though?

 

[highfigh]

I kind of thought about it after I ran all my speaker and cable wire and the electrician was over looking at what all was needed when I thought about it. I know the breaker is supposed to catch a surge, but I've been hit by lightening once while living in an apartment and the breaker didn't catch it, lol. What bout something like this? I am no electrical person so please take a look, would this outlet work?

Breakers don't catch surges, they open because of excessive current. Surges are voltage increases.

Lightning is incredibly far from what a normal suppressor is made for.

 

[highfigh]

Ok, so that product won't work because of the manufacturer name, do you have any solutions though?

"the best method is to use a whole-house unit, attached at the breaker panel."

We have had many threads about this here- do a search. Also, use google and Wikipedia- lightning, electrical surge and surge protection are good choices for the search bar.

Monster would be a bad choice because they're overpriced for what they are and because better products exist, like Furman/Panamax, TrippLite, Intermatic, etc.

 

[njedpx3]

UPS systems for surge isolation

Ok, so that product won't work because of the manufacturer name, do you have any solutions though?

I have two APC HT-15 power conditioner and surge protectors.
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=H15BLK
The have been onsale for around $150. I have some pretty iffy electrical supply sometimes and I feel these have protected my equipement.

However, if you truly want protection you need to look into a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) system which completely isolates the incoming power. You would probably need at least one Back-UPS RS, maybe two. http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=23


Remember KVA is higher than the total wattage due to impedance phase and power conversion efficiency. You usually figure about 60-70%, so 15KVA would support 900-1050 watts of HT equipment.

UPS systems are rated on how long they will continue to supply power in the case of a source power failure. In addition to providing power for a graceful shutdown, you get the added benefit of completely idolating the incoming power from the supply power which is the feature you are looking for to truly protect your HT system. The downside, UPS systems are expensive and maintenance requires regular replacement of the storage batteries. The Back-UPS RS 1500VA is fairly reasonably priced at $249 and will handle a load of 865 watts ( only 57.7 % effcient ).

Good Luck and Smooth Surge Free Sailing!

Forest Man

 

[seanYsean]

Breakers don't catch surges, they open because of excessive current. Surges are voltage increases.

Lightning is incredibly far from what a normal suppressor is made for.

So just hope I don't get hit then?

 

[Davemcc]

Ok, so that product won't work because of the manufacturer name, do you have any solutions though?

It looks like it may do the job just fine. I'm not enough of an electrical expert to say. But I would rather let my display blow up than bring a Monster product into my house. YMMV.

 

[TLS Guy]

So just hope I don't get hit then?

It is good time to review system protection.

We have a lot invested in our gear. and I certain that a lot of gear is damaged by the grid and lightening is only one way.

Spikes from loads coming on and off, cause big spikes. There are periods of over voltage and under voltage. These a very damaging to modern electronics.

If you have the equipment to monitor the grid as I do, you would be staggered at what you see.

So the best solutions are multiple.

1). Whole house surge protection.

2). Tie your units together. Run conduit from your system to the TV and connect the outlet at the TV to a plug that comes out near your gear so you can tie it together. This helps prevent the TV causing ground loops. It also allows you to easily connect your TV to the UPS.

3). A fast acting smart UPS, that will hold voltage within tight parameters within 0 to 5 ms of grid voltage changes outside tolerance, and cut off even the smallest of surges.

4). A really robust grounding system using 4 gauge copper wire tying your system together. Preferably this ground should go directly to the house ground, not via a wall outlet via the panel. I realize this last recommendation can be hard to accomplish.

Remember nothing will protect against a severe direct hit, but those are very rare. There is far more gear taken down by problems that are totally below your radar.

The above recommendations will go a long way to help you get prolonged trouble free enjoyment from your system and help prevent a lot of costly repair bills and the need to prematurely replace equipment.

 

[seanYsean]

Thank you everyone.

I will talk to my electrician about this whole house protection unit. Thanks again

 

[ragged]

A powerbridge is what you need. Scroll down and look for the powerbridge complete kit for 59.95

http://www.powerbridgesolution.com/avsspecialorder.html

You plug your tv into the outlet, then at the other end you plug the power cord that comes with the kit into a surge protector or ups.

 

[TLS Guy]

A powerbridge is what you need. Scroll down and look for the powerbridge complete kit for 59.95

http://www.powerbridgesolution.com/avsspecialorder.html

You plug your tv into the outlet, then at the other end you plug the power cord that comes with the kit into a surge protector or ups.

I certainly would not rely on that as a total solution!

 

[ragged]

For his just his tv, why not? If you're not using whole house protection at the breaker box, what would you recommend, isn't a ups or power conditioner with voltage regulation acceptable?

 

[TLS Guy]

For his just his tv, why not? If you're not using whole house protection at the breaker box, what would you recommend, isn't a ups or power conditioner with voltage regulation acceptable?

That unit is just a pretty useless surge protector with a ton of marketing hype.

I outlined what is required for best protection. For large investment systems it is worth every penny.

You have to look at the specs of a UPS carefully, they are not all created equal. If the unit does not have a battery then a regulator can only support voltage briefly. That is not adequate. Totally regenerative power conditioners can do the job, but these are expensive, highly energy inefficient and generate a lot of heat leading to unreliability. In my view a smart UPS like those from APC is the better bet.