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Are mains surge protectors needed in the UK?
Lem wrote:
Are surge protectors on the main power supply actually needed in the UK? here in the UK we have few overhead mains power lines and have a relatively steady mains power supply when compared to many other countries (including the US). However there seem to be very many surge protector products advertised for sale in the UK (Argos, Maplins, etc). I am quite sure it is not bad practice to use a surge protector but in fact I have never known anyone who has has a problem from a surge coming in through the power supply. So personally I don't bother using a surge protector on my PC. Am I being too complacent? I've never used one either, no probs. I think that if you need a new multi plug then you might as well get one with a surge protector but I wouldn't get one otherwise. -- Nick ----------- |
#2
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"Lem" wrote in message
... " Am I being too complacent? " Think of this when you next take a ****. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/s...re/3457965.stm |
#3
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"Lem" wrote in message ... Are surge protectors on the main power supply actually needed in the UK? here in the UK we have few overhead mains power lines and have a relatively steady mains power supply when compared to many other countries (including the US). However there seem to be very many surge protector products advertised for sale in the UK (Argos, Maplins, etc). I am quite sure it is not bad practice to use a surge protector but in fact I have never known anyone who has has a problem from a surge coming in through the power supply. So personally I don't bother using a surge protector on my PC. Am I being too complacent? unlikely youll ever have a problem but it does happen to some people. for the sake of a few quid ive got one downstairs for the tv, amp etc and upstairs on the pc. If they were expensive i woudnt bother but as theyre cheap, theyre worth having imo. |
#4
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snip
I've never used one either, no probs. I think that if you need a new multi plug then you might as well get one with a surge protector but I wouldn't get one otherwise. Actually you might as well get one that protects the modem/DSL as well. -- Nick ----------- |
#5
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Lem wrote: Are surge protectors on the main power supply actually needed in the UK? here in the UK we have few overhead mains power lines and have a relatively steady mains power supply when compared to many other countries (including the US). However there seem to be very many surge protector products advertised for sale in the UK (Argos, Maplins, etc). I am quite sure it is not bad practice to use a surge protector but in fact I have never known anyone who has has a problem from a surge coming in through the power supply. So personally I don't bother using a surge protector on my PC. Am I being too complacent? Definitely good to have one as an insurance. Heavy machinery can induce start currents and outages can result in spikes. Also heavy crossposting can overload the system. |
#6
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Lem wrote in :
Am I being too complacent? Like others said .. depends. I know ONE person whose system was destroyed by lightning. Here's a secret .. well I worked it out myself so could be wrong but... Instead of buying an expensive one, just buy the small cube thingy (like the old two-ways) and then run a multi socket extension from it. Last I looked they were less that 15 quid with a phone/modem socket whassname.. -- Lordy |
#7
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How about using a plug with the correct sized fuse in it?
Probably a lot cheaper? Probably a waste of money. You probably have a greater chance of deing struck by lightnening. |
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Lem wrote: Are surge protectors on the main power supply actually needed in the UK? here in the UK we have few overhead mains power lines and have a relatively steady mains power supply when compared to many other countries (including the US). Wasn't there a big black out around London last year just after the North American black out? However there seem to be very many surge protector products advertised for sale in the UK (Argos, Maplins, etc). A surge protector can be very simple, doesn't need to cost a lot. I am quite sure it is not bad practice to use a surge protector but in fact I have never known anyone who has has a problem from a surge coming in through the power supply. My first PSU was killed by a spike, but then you don't know me. At a place where I once worked, they had problems with fuse timings on the entire building, the engineers would sometimes test which fuses went first, thereby inducing enormous currents in the power network. So personally I don't bother using a surge protector on my PC. Am I being too complacent? Entirely up to you. |
#9
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half_pint wrote: How about using a plug with the correct sized fuse in it? No, a fuse takes time to burn. In the meantime the spike will do its work. Probably a lot cheaper? Probably a waste of money. If you're cheapskate, you can make one up from an old 50nF high voltage capacitor. Anyway, they don't eat any bread and last a lifetime. You probably have a greater chance of deing struck by lightnening. Depens where you stand :-) |
#10
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Lem wrote:
Are surge protectors on the main power supply actually needed in the UK? here in the UK we have few overhead mains power lines and have a relatively steady mains power supply when compared to many other countries (including the US). However there seem to be very many surge protector products advertised for sale in the UK (Argos, Maplins, etc). I am quite sure it is not bad practice to use a surge protector but in fact I have never known anyone who has has a problem from a surge coming in through the power supply. So personally I don't bother using a surge protector on my PC. Am I being too complacent? Probably. In my experience mains surges do not tend to cause problems, either your trip switch or the general robustness of most devices rules them out. However..... modems are different. If the strike hits a telephone pole then the resulting surge down the phone line can easily take out a modem, and if you're unlucky your mobo as well. Usually though your modem will act as a very expensive fuse. Buy a surge protection device that also protects modems and you should be okay. IMHO Belkin are the best, but others may have a different view. Look at it this way. A couple of years ago we had a massive storm in our area - apparently there were 30,000 odd lightening strikes over the county. (according to the electricity people). Over a two week period, I replaced several dozen modems for people who "suddenly couldn't get online". My supplier ran out of stock! Even the local PCWorld ran out (someone from there even phoned my business to see if we had any modems left in stock that they could buy!!). You can save £30 or so and take the risk - its up to you in the end. -- Email addy is a spam trap - Spam will go to a spammer Please post in the group to reply. |
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