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Are mains surge protectors needed in the UK?
"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? Do you live in an area where lightning is frequent? A lightning strike that is merely _near_ to an underground utility circuit can induce damaging voltages into them meaning that your power mains, telephone, and cable TV are all possible carriers. Admittedly there is no place in the UK that I've heard of that experiences the sort of storms that ravage parts of the USA, Flordia comes immediately to mind, but if you ever do have even one event then a small investment in protection would be invaluable. -- John McGaw [Knoxville, TN, USA] http://johnmcgaw.com |
#2
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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? 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 ----------- |
#3
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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 |
#4
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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. |
#5
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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 ----------- |
#6
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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. |
#7
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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 |
#8
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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. |
#9
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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. |
#10
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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 :-) |
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