Surge Protector Recommend

NeilGabriel

I just learned from my audio tech that my Ref 20 pre/pro was pretty much fried from a surge...most likely during a thunderstorm....we have those and tornadoes here.

Sad to say, I had about $2000 in equipment plugged into an ordinary power bar and not a surge protector (you might call it an extension cord).

Question: I have 3 pretty high quality systems....what should I be spending for a decent surge protector...tech does not recommend Monster (as little as I know, that did not surprise me). Or should I just look at Jules rating? Brands?

Thanks very much....time to take prophylactic measures..

Polkie2009

Ugh!!!! Sorry to hear about this Neil, for what it's worth, I've heard that SurgeX makes some very good HT surge protectors and I'll throw into the mix the newer Furman Elite have the SMP feature too. I'd like to find a used one myself, but they are hard to find. Let us know what you go with.

mole'

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/753883232/apc-s10?s_c=site_search

mole'

anonymouse wrote: »

Apc h15

S10 is on sale for cheaper and has battery back up.

mole'

anonymouse wrote: »

Where is it on sale for cheaper? The H15 can be had on Audioholics for $250. You can get a S10 for less?

i posted the link above. its $199 shipped from Vanns.

see post #3

Gadabout

I have a Belkin PF60 on my 2 ch system.

I also have 2 Monster 3600 MKII on other systems.

Just to give you a couple more options other than APC. I didn't buy any of the 3 new. They can be had for pretty reasonable $'s used. I think I paid $125 for the Belkin and around $80 each for the Monsters. (all 3 out of the flea market)

Scott

decal

A surge protector will not protect your equipment from a lightning strike.Unplug your equipment when lightning is present.I speak from experience,trust me.

NeilGabriel

from what I know we had not have as lightning strike at the house, but it hit somewhere enough for lights to flicker and the lcd clocks to be reset....

3 surge protectors at 2-250 a pop is lot of money....but I guess the 6 or 7 thousand I have in equipment id too.....thanks

how about this jules rating...my tech guy says the more the better as a rule but how many more....?

NeilGabriel

so why would a product be marked off $800?

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

hifibourbon

You could go with a whole house surge protector from Leviton, SquareD, or APC. You'll want a qualified electrician to install, but then your whole house is covered. Total cost <$500 with labor.

inspiredsports

I've had quite a few APC's in the house for a long time protecting computer and/or audio gear and think they are well priced and provide a high level of protection.

digitalvideo

NEVER buy a surge protector from Best Buy, Walmart, Staples etc, they all use MOV's to protect your system and divert to ground which the MOV's will eventually weaken and break then there is nothing between your wall outlet and equipment, the surge goes straight through. Go with a professional industrial company like SurgeX or Exact Power or Furman Reference Series.

None of the surge protectors you can buy at regular stores are UL rated with no UL seal and they do not list any Adjunct Classification Test Results.

SurgeX vs MOV Suppressors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RixUrc-FRcM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmcD635NNPU&feature=related

SurgeX is used at Carnegie Hall, Dallas Cowboys new 2009 Stadium, Yankees Stadium, and The Kimmel Center and many other venues and studios.

http://www.listentech.com/blog/Dallas-Cowboys-Stadium-Spotlights-Listen/

digitalvideo

anonymouse wrote: »

Be careful about buying sure protectors used. Most of them use Metal Oxide Varistors that get "used up" with each surge they handle. At the very least buy one that shows clearly when protection is working, but even then, know that when you buy used, its not the same as new - you are buying one that has some wear on it so to speak which will really take away from its service life.

Thank you! "Metal Oxide Varistors" aka MOV's. MOV's are surge "suppressors" not surge eliminators.

Professional grade surge eliminators:

SurgeX http://surgex.com/

Exact Power http://www.exactpower.com/

doctorcilantro

These are great:

http://brickwall.thomasnet.com/category/audio-surge-protectors?

No MOVs.

grif32

hifibourbon wrote: »

You could go with a whole house surge protector from Leviton, SquareD, or APC. You'll want a qualified electrician to install, but then your whole house is covered. Total cost <$500 with labor.

This.. Zero worries and total cost for the whole house surge protector plus Electrical Contractor to do it was less then $200. Mine was GE.

IMHO this is the best way to protect everything. Best piece of mind to have and at the price you would pay for those other proctectors which only protect the equipment you have plugged into it.