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Surge Protectors are they really needed or a scam?

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  • 12-04-2012 5:20pm
    #1
    johnwest288
    Registered Users Posts: 665 ✭✭✭


    I have been in the same house for near 15 years now and never once had an electrical device blow. What is the story with surge protectors? I have never even had a fuse blow out of the ordinary! My power seems fine. I have invested in an expensive tv and laptop so im thinking would it be wise to get a few of these devices or waste of time?


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    #2
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    johnwest288 wrote: »
    I have been in the same house for near 15 years now and never once had an electrical device blow. What is the story with surge protectors? I have never even had a fuse blow out of the ordinary! My power seems fine. I have invested in an expensive tv and laptop so im thinking would it be wise to get a few of these devices or waste of time?


    Why do you need car insurance???


    Just incase.....;)


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    #3
    meercat
    Registered Users Posts: 4,745 ✭✭✭meercat


    you can get a main surge protector connected to your distribution board to protect the whole installation

    as paddy147 says
    "just in case"


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    #4
    LeBash
    Registered Users Posts: 3,543 ✭✭✭LeBash


    Considering what they protect they are great value. With all the high cost electronics in a house now I'd say get one.


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    #5
    johnwest288
    Registered Users Posts: 665 ✭✭✭johnwest288


    meercat wrote: »
    you can get a main surge protector connected to your distribution board to protect the whole installation

    as paddy147 says
    "just in case"

    Ah ok cool grand i thought surgess were if you were in a specific area or summit like an apartment block,
    Might you know how much a mains surge protector would be? Is it placed in the meter box outside or in the hallway with the fusebox?


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    #6
    meercat
    Registered Users Posts: 4,745 ✭✭✭meercat


    It's placed in your fuseboard
    Can't say offhand how much it is but a registered contractor should quote you for supply and fit


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    #7
    johnwest288
    Registered Users Posts: 665 ✭✭✭johnwest288


    meercat wrote: »
    It's placed in your fuseboard
    Can't say offhand how much it is but a registered contractor should quote you for supply and fit

    ah cool I was thinking it might be a big dirty looking transformer thing. So it places neatly inside the Fuseboard like one of the trip switches?
    Cheers for the info lads:D


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    #8
    Rasmus
    Registered Users Posts: 2,075 ✭✭✭Rasmus


    They also save energy.

    http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/energy-saving-surge-protector.htm


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    #9
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    Rasmus wrote: »
    They also save energy.

    http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/energy-saving-surge-protector.htm
    Only if they are the new breed of surge protectors.
    Most I have seen are just a multiplug trailing lead with a surge protector built in.


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    #10
    Rasmus
    Registered Users Posts: 2,075 ✭✭✭Rasmus


    CJhaughey wrote: »
    Only if they are the new breed of surge protectors.
    Most I have seen are just a multiplug trailing lead with a surge protector built in.

    The ones with built in protectors (not plugboards) don't count?


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    #11
    Solair
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,230 ✭✭✭Solair


    They're more of an issue in places where voltage variations are common.
    In general, Ireland seems to have very stable voltage, certainly in urban areas and small towns. You might get some issues way out in the country with low voltage but, ESB networks will usually sort it out and brownout and spikes are relatively rare.

    In the US we had equipment fried a few times due to spikes and brownouts (periods of low voltage.) weren't unusual. That was in suburban Boston so you invested in surge protection!

    Also, in the UK in the past power was distributed at 240V rather than 220V as in Ireland and other EU countries. Equipment is generally designed for 220—240V so, a spike in Ireland or France might be within that band, where as in Britain it might go beyond what an appliance could cope with as the supply voltage is at the high end of the tolerated range anyway.

    Nominally, everything in Europe is now 230V but, some supplies are still 220V or 240V in the UK which makes the UK a bit more spike prone.

    Also, countries with high air conditioning loads tend to be riskier, so as you head to southern European during a hot summer you are potentially going to see more voltage fluctuations than in misty Ireland


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    #12
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,592 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Lightning strikes to cabling can also cause surges.


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    #13
    johnwest288
    Registered Users Posts: 665 ✭✭✭johnwest288


    Yeah Ill definitly invest in a fuseboard surge protector to protect the full household items. ;)
    thanks for the deluge of info very interesting folks


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    #14
    johnwest288
    Registered Users Posts: 665 ✭✭✭johnwest288


    Aha I think i know why my tv didnt blow.. Would i be right in saying this is a Surge Protector in the Fuse box?
    Has a flick switch like a normal trip and also like a push in button

    Says:

    SIEMENS
    5SM1316-0
    RCCB
    63A
    30MA
    800A
    UN 125...230V
    100A

    Are they fitted as standard to fuse boxes in houses and apartments or did the previous owner fit it?


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    #15
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    johnwest288 wrote: »
    Aha I think i know why my tv didnt blow.. Would i be right in saying this is a Surge Protector in the Fuse box?
    Has a flick switch like a normal trip and also like a push in button

    Says:

    SIEMENS
    5SM1316-0
    RCCB
    63A
    30MA
    800A
    UN 125...230V
    100A

    Are they fitted as standard to fuse boxes in houses and apartments or did the previous owner fit it?

    no it's an rcd


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    #16
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,592 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    M cebee wrote: »
    no it's an rcd

    + 1

    See link:

    http://www.plchardware.com/Products/94/5407776/5407783/SM-5SM1316-0.aspx


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    #17
    johnwest288
    Registered Users Posts: 665 ✭✭✭johnwest288


    2011 wrote: »
    + 1

    See link:

    http://www.plchardware.com/Products/94/5407776/5407783/SM-5SM1316-0.aspx


    LOL knew it was too easy !

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?menuno=122436&page=2
    http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/safety-environment/equipment_protection.jsp


    Would you know where i can buy on of these for a standard fuse box?


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