Why to use a surge protector....

[SparkyJJO]

Friend's emachines computer - with a crappy bestec PSU - got hit by a surge and the PSU whenever plugged in would make strange hissing/popping noises. The computer itself would act up also due to a damaged mobo probably from the surge or or the damaged PSU (replacement PSU didn't fix the mobo issue). So, I took it apart....

pic 1 - PCB
pic 2 - another angle
pic 3 - and another angle
pic 4 - PSU housing

this is fairly minor, I've seen much worse especially from lightning strikes.

Moral of the story: use a surge protector, and unplug during a thunderstorm. A better PSU than this crappy bestec might fair better but I wouldn't test that theory

 

[Okasa]

i wonder if im the only one that gets amusement out of ur handle on this post -> "SparkyJJO"

 

[beemercer]

This makes me feel better about unplugging all my electronics during a thunderstorm; my brother says I a wus for doing it, but hes an a**hole anyways.

 

[KeithTalent]

Scary stuff. Here's a question, how much does a decent (not over the top) surge protector cost? I have been looking around for a new surge protector (current one is ancient) and they range in price from $15 - $150 and probably more. Would something around $40 or $50 offer sufficuent protection?

Thanks, KT.

 

[yacoub]

Once you're spending $50, you might as well be getting a proper UPS that has surge protection built in.

 

[TC10284]

Nice pics man

Yes, I find it funny that people spend lots of $ on hardware but little on a nice PSU and/or surge protection/UPS system. Now, if I had lots of $ to spend on hardware/eqipment, I would have a decent UPS system. Sux being a college student =/

 

[Drew1082]

I use an APC ES650 ups to protect my machine. It's resonably priced and includes a battery for backup.

It's a very good investment and something any knowledgable computer pwner should have.

 

[Rommel44]

I use Belkin SurgeMaster - it costs 50 bucks but its worth it - I have waranty included for all electronic equipment for up to 35000 if damaged by lightning strike or power surge.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Drew1082
I use an APC ES650 ups to protect my machine. It's resonably priced and includes a battery for backup.

It's a very good investment and something any knowledgable computer pwner should have.

Nice, I like that.

I was actually just looking at this one: APC Back-UPS ES USB 750VA w/TEL & COAX 120V which is almost the same as yours. It is double the $50 I was originally planning, but for the peace of mund, it is probably worth it.

Would this one be sufficient for the rig in my sig? Or is it overkill?

 

[Drew1082]

I believe all the APC ES series are for home computers so no it isn't overkill.

The higer Volt output just means that your battery will last longer in a powerout.

And I couldn't agree more that the price is right, seeing how you will use it until the end of time

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Drew1082
I believe all the APC ES series are for home computers so no it isn't overkill.

The higer Volt output just means that your battery will last longer in a powerout.

And I couldn't agree more that the price is right, seeing how you will use it until the end of time

Great, thanks for the help. Just ordered it :thumbsup:

 

[Drew1082]

awesome, you won't be dissapointed.

btw your rig is almost exactly like the one i just built.

A64 x2 3800+
WD 7200 250G sata
Asus X1900XT
Asus M2N-e Nforce 570
Corsair 2x1GB XMS DDR 800
Lian Li pc-7b II
Seasonic 430W
BenQ 20.1" LCD

lol

had to rma the ram though cuz one stick was bad. should get it next week! I did get winxp installed and everthing seemed to work before i sent the ram back. still a bummer though. =/

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Drew1082
awesome, you won't be dissapointed.

btw your rig is almost exactly like the one i just build.

A64 x2 3800+
WD 7200 250G
Asus X1900XT
Asus M2N-e Nforce 570
Corsair 2x1GB XMS DDR 800
Lian Li pc-7b II
Seasonic 430W
BenQ 20.1" LCD

lol

had to rma the ram though cuz one stick was bad. should get it next week!

Lol, that's hilarious. I have actually been seeing a lot of similar rigs popping up recently, can't beat that price on the X2 3800+

 

[SparkyJJO]

The surge protector that the friend got is a cyberpower unit that was only $10 from walmart, but it has a $35,000 connected equipment warranty that covers even lightning strikes. They should be fine with that, but I still recommend unplugging during a storm anyway - why go through the hassle filing warranty service and being without the computer for a few weeks when it can be prevented by unplugging it?

I have an APC UPS for my computer, I got tired of the occasional brownout shutting my computer off

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Drew1082
awesome, you won't be dissapointed.

btw your rig is almost exactly like the one i just build.

A64 x2 3800+
WD 7200 250G
Asus X1900XT
Asus M2N-e Nforce 570
Corsair 2x1GB XMS DDR 800
Lian Li pc-7b II
Seasonic 430W
BenQ 20.1" LCD

lol

had to rma the ram though cuz one stick was bad. should get it next week!

Lol, that's hilarious. I have actually been seeing a lot of similar rigs popping up recently, can't beat that price on the X2 3800+

I'm another person who just chose the X2 3800+ last week, great price on it.

Nice pics btw, I don't feel bad having a surge protector anymore.

 

[grimlykindo]

So would a $15 Belkin suffice?

Just wondering cuz thats what my PC is connected to right now...

 

[Drew1082]

a $15 anything beats nothing im sure.

However with electronics the general rule is you get what you pay for. Personally I wouldn't trust my machine to such an inexpensive surge protector.

Ask anyone on the forums if you should get a cheap power supply. . .

you get the idea

 

[michal1980]

good psu's, save pcs too.

i was installing a water cooling setup once, and was messing around with a home made fan controller, well it was a prototype and shorted. psu blew, but everything else was safe.

good old antec psu may u rip

 

[Ruptga]

Don´t forget to get something that you can plug your DSL/Cable into, surges can go through those too and fry all your routers, NICs, modems, TV tuners, usually eveything but the computer itself. Though I suppose it could take everything out if it was a cable, a telephone wire couldn´t carry enough current for it to get to the mobo could it?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger
Don´t forget to get something that you can plug your DSL/Cable into, surges can go through those too and fry all your routers, NICs, modems, TV tuners, usually eveything but the computer itself. Though I suppose it could take everything out if it was a cable, a telephone wire couldn´t carry enough current for it to get to the mobo could it?

Actually you can be surprised. Our neighbor's house got hit by lightning which caused a surge over here. The computer was unplugged but there is a phone that has a wall adapter and the phone line ran through the computer modem first then to the phone socket (this is back when we used dialup). The surge came through the power lines, blew the adapter and the phone, went through that phoneline and took out the modem in the computer. About a month later the mobo died - I'm thinking it might have gotten damaged from that, I don't know for sure.

This surge protector that the friends got has phone line/LAN protection.

 

[HannibalX]

Florida people know this problem all to well.

Being the lightening capital of the world all of us have had something get zapped. The big thing is your hardware can get fried here even if you aren't plugged in.


Hey but its nice weather.