Looking for power protection for my devices

[westom]

You think there's a worthwhile difference between the whole-house units from say, Intermatic or Leviton, and a high end unit from someone like Eaton Innovative Technology TVSS?

Protection involves two concepts.

1) How well does it connect energy harmlessly to earth? That is answered by how the connection from utility wire to earth is made. Conductivity and equipotential provided by single point earth ground is relevant during one surge. That defines protection from each one surge.

2) How well does it perform over your lifetime? That is defined by another numbers such as its current rating. A protector rated for higher currents not only does paragraph 1) better. It also lasts longer. A 50,000 amp protector from Intermatic, Leviton, or Cutler-Hammer (Eaton) may be sufficient for most. To exponentially increase that life expectancy (and make the protector more conductive), a homeowner in Central FL, on the NM AZ region, or in WV may need a 100,000 amp protector.

The circuit inside a power strip protector selling in the grocery store for $7 is also found in a Monster Cable protector selling for $150. Price has little relationship to quality.

Same may exist (to a lesser extent) with 'whole house' protectors. A 50,000 amp Cutler-Hammer circuit selling in Lowes for less than $50 can also be sold (from a different manufacturer) for $150 from some other retail source. More important are manufacturer spec numbers - and understanding what those numbers represent.

This much you do know. A protector damaged by a surge was undersized for that surge. Undersizing his how ineffective plug-in protectors are promoted to ill informed consumers because eyes glaze over when numbers arrive. Paragraphs 1) and 2) define two most important considerations.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Its unfortunate that while westom appears to have mastered electricity concepts he must have completely failed COMM1101. Maybe it wasn't required in his state.

 

[Noubourne]

Its unfortunate that while westom appears to have mastered electricity concepts he must have completely failed COMM1101. Maybe it wasn't required in his state.

If you think that, then I guess it's too bad they didn't have a RCOMP101 class for you.

Most surge protector/UPS protection claims are BS. Upgrade your whole house grounding if you want to spend big bucks.

Another thing that I highly recommend is to verify that your home/apt insurance policy covers the perils you are afraid of and the equipment that you own. REPLACEMENT COST. And make sure your equipment is listed on the policy. Quite frankly, that is your best protection, and something you have complete control over.

As for allowing your DLP bulb to cool down during a power outage, that seems a little nitpicky. The TV manufacturers recommend that you don't cut power every time you turn off a DLP (some people are stinky about standby power draw) because the temperature cycles OVER TIME can decrease the bulb life. If you're talking about an occasional power outage when the DLP bulb fan is shut off early - that's an insignificant issue in 10,000 hours of life and hundreds of power cycles.

They also say that frequent power cycles can decrease bulb life. Does that mean you watch TV only every other day in order to preserve it? The new bulb costs less than $200. Some here would push you into a $200 UPS. That's more than a whole new bulb!

I'm a DLP owner with $6750 worth of electronics hooked up at my home theater. I have a $40 Belkin and a $10 power strip. And damn good insurance.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

If you think that, then I guess it's too bad they didn't have a RCOMP101 class for you.

Most surge protector/UPS protection claims are BS. Upgrade your whole house grounding if you want to spend big bucks.

Another thing that I highly recommend is to verify that your home/apt insurance policy covers the perils you are afraid of and the equipment that you own. REPLACEMENT COST. And make sure your equipment is listed on the policy. Quite frankly, that is your best protection, and something you have complete control over.

As for allowing your DLP bulb to cool down during a power outage, that seems a little nitpicky. The TV manufacturers recommend that you don't cut power every time you turn off a DLP (some people are stinky about standby power draw) because the temperature cycles OVER TIME can decrease the bulb life. If you're talking about an occasional power outage when the DLP bulb fan is shut off early - that's an insignificant issue in 10,000 hours of life and hundreds of power cycles.

They also say that frequent power cycles can decrease bulb life. Does that mean you watch TV only every other day in order to preserve it? The new bulb costs less than $200. Some here would push you into a $200 UPS. That's more than a whole new bulb!

I'm a DLP owner with $6750 worth of electronics hooked up at my home theater. I have a $40 Belkin and a $10 power strip. And damn good insurance.

Sorry you're a bit stupid to understand what i was saying. I in no way was saying that what he was describing was wrong, but that in the way he explained it was non-beneficial. It was a showcase of knowledge with no practical use because it was explained in a way filled with arrogance and lack of indication to help. Again, while he apparently knows what he's talking about, he obviously missed COMM1101. His method of communication, much the same as yours, is worthless.

 

[tweakboy]

Just get a quality Power Surge protector. Not the cheap ones,, but a nice expensive one like 30 or 40 bucks. Try www.newegg.com for that.

You don't need a UPS unless you live in a disaster zone area with outages every week or something. I mean a outage might happen once in a year... and your safe alto things shutdown at once,, it was protected by the power surge... Have fun getting a ubber nice looking power surge... Just my opinion my friend,, gl