What size surge protector should I be looking at?

I hear you. I don't think I'm going there. I know my house has an up to code electrical ground because I installed it a few years ago. Now if I were setting up a server rack or I was into mining then I'd probably be very interested in what you're describing. I'm my case I just need to protect a stand alone personal PC.

Remmee: Probably just a grammatical error but, a 2000 joule Surge Protector will go on protecting its stuff forever, or until a surge that exceeds 2000 joules comes along

 

Eddie: Not exactly forever. There's a reason you are advised to replace your surge protector every 3-5 years. Most of them don't last longer than that. And if they have experienced a surge, you should replace them right away. Just wanted to make sure the OP doesn't get confused about this.

Thanks for this information. I purchased something with adequate joule protection over the weekend. I'm still considering UPS requirements. All I need is something that would shut down the PC gracefully without my bring present. Chances are as good as not that I'll be elsewhere at the time of the power failure event.

 

Whatever you buy, you should test it multiple times. If you don't, then you won't know how it will react when the time comes for it to do so.

Whatever you buy, you should test it multiple times. If you don't, then you won't know how it will react when the time comes for it to do so.

 

 

That makes sense, but I'm not sure how I would test it? Unless you are referring to the UPS.  

 

Pete

Edited by Not_Applykable, 28 June 2024 - 08:41 PM.

Oops! You're right, of course. I was busy fussing over my other hobby and forgot that this is a surge protector we're talking about, not a UPS. There is no practicaly to fully test a surge protector without risking damaging it. 

A UPS is always a wise investment. It has both surge protection and protection from black or brown outs.

Even a cheap UPS is always better than no UPS.

Well, there is ONE UPS I'd avoid, but it's not electronic. 

 

Preferred brands are ISOBar and APC (some, but not all models).

Edited by Shplad, 29 June 2024 - 08:32 AM.

LOL

 

Using a APS ATM, and it was cheap (100 CAD), although I don't need a high power backup so it meets my simple needs.

Getting a UPS that will last a single PC & Monitor more than 10 minutes will become progressively more expensive.

 

You should plan to close down all ancillary equipment, immediately the power cut occurs.

 

Then save anything that you have open on your PC and close down.

 

I know that this seems pretty obvious. I knew it too but, when the time came, I was still faffing about when the UPS ran out of power.

 

APCs have a program that will do this for you

My old APC beeps loudly when the power goes out. Do most current models still do that too? The beep on mine definitely gets your attention.

Mine does too.

APS Back-UPS 450VA Model BN450M-CA

 

It has two surge protected outlets.

Edited by 0lds0d, 29 June 2024 - 04:08 PM.

When the power goes out, all my lights fail, as  does the radio. That usually gives me the heads up.

 

Fraid that most internet/computer based radio is too low quality.

 

My current one, which is no longer on the market, has 8 sockets, 4 of which are surge protected, as is the line from the Router.

Edited by wee-eddie, 29 June 2024 - 04:25 PM.

I have a smt3000 by apc https://www.newegg.com/apc-smt3000-8-x-nema-5-15r-2-x-nema-5-20r/p/N82E16842101394?item=N82E16842101394

And a full house natural gas 200amp generator

Not to beat the topic to death, but when I was working (retired now several years) the accountant at work had a new house built, and it was built to code and inspected by the city he resides in. That included a system surge and grounding protector.

One year later a really powerful storm front came through; his TV antenna was hit by lightening. Blew out his mains in the electric box, fried everything: all computers, refrigerator, the electric panel on his stove, pretty much anything that was plugged in to a wall socket. Smoked some wires in the wall, but thank god no fire started.

Since I handled and puchased all the business insurance for the company, I helped him with this homeowner's claim, and it was big.

If he had installed a good surge protector, it may have saved his computers.

Edited by ranchhand_, 01 July 2024 - 12:21 PM.

Naw it wouldn't have protected his computers or any other electronics. The antennae should have been grounded but wasn't and should have been considered as part of the whole surge protection.

When I had my generator installed, they had to make sure it was well grounded as well as anything external that could attract electricity. It required them to pound I think 5-to-8-foot copper pipes down into the ground, and then connect the generator to and 2 for the inside breaker box.