Re: surge protectors?

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From: info-mac@uw-beaver (info-mac)
Newsgroups: fa.info-mac
Subject: Re: surge protectors?
Message-ID:
Date: Mon, 9-Jul-84 01:36:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: uw-beave.1034
Posted: Mon Jul 9 01:36:21 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 4-Jul-84 03:20:51 EDT
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Organization: U of Washington Computer Science
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From: ihnp4!umn-cs!digi-g!dan@uw-beaver.arpa
There are two basic types of surge protectors. One type takes the full
current load of the attached device through it, and the other is connected
to the line in parallel with the attached device. The first kind is rated
for maximum load that can be run through it. The second, since it is not
taking the load through it, has no maximum load rating. The first type
COULD be more effective, if built properly, but also tend to be more expensive.
The second type can also be very effective, and are usually cheaper. But
beware, many of the second type are slow at responding to surges, or will
be "punched out" themselves by a surge, and would let future surges pass
though.

Also note the difference between surge protectors and line conditioners.
Surge protectors only clip high voltages. Line conditioners filter out
noise, and may fill in short interuptions.

A recommendation:
We are using a Surge Sentry from RKS Industries. Its specs showed it to
be very fast reacting and could take a fairly large jolt.
Stage 1 Stage 2
Component clamping response (sec) 5E-12 1E-6
100 usec. power dissipation (W) 1E3 1E6

It has an indicator to tell you if it is fried. And has UL approval, which
many of the cheaper units we looked at did not have. Cost was $70.
We have had power fluctuations that have crashed all systems in the room
except the one that had the Surge Sentry, so we know it works.