Surge protection question

[Jonty]

I have all my computer equipment connected to a surge protected extension lead but it does not have an indication light on it to show that the protection is working.

I want to get one with an indicator light and my question is can I still attach the existing surge extension lead to this new one? I would not exceed the rated wattage.

[qball]

Let me get this right. You have a powerstrip that may or may not be a surge protector, or all of the protection is gone.

You want to buy a new surge protector (don't skimp) and plug the old power strip into this?

If this is correct, sure, anything plugged within a working surge protector, is protected.

[tonym]

Get the highest Joule rating protection that you can afford. Anything under 1000 Joules is junk, 1200-1400 is marginal, and anything above 1500 Joules is OKAY. I personally use a 2500 Joule protective device for my 'puters!

And as qball said, you can plug in the old outlet strip into the new surge-protected strip and the old one will be protected (As would anything plugged into it!!)...


Tony

[Jonty]

Thanks, I thought it would be OK

As far as I know the surge strip I'm using is still functional. On the packaging it says that after a time the zinc oxide varistors start to break down caused by the number and level of surges that have happened.

Without a warning light I don't know whether its still protecting the equipment!

There are no mention of what the joules are on the packaging. The one I have says it protects against surges and spikes up to 6000 volts. The one I'm thinking of buying says it protects up to 4500 amps. Whats the joules equivalent and is this good, bad or indifferent!?

[Axel]

You're spinning your wheels -

Buy a surge protection device which advertises an insurance policy - and make sure you register your device.

It'll keep the small spikes out and the insurance will cover you if you have a lightning strike nearby in some, but not all cases. - That's what a home-owner or renter's insurance policy is for.

If you really want to be protected, the next step up is a PC UPS box - it has a battery in it which will save you from the loss of power as well as protect you from surges. More people have problems losing power for a second and watching their system bounce than they do with actual surges..... Go to SAMS wholesale and pick one up for about $120 -

and you can safely plug your power strip into either of those - only the UPS might complain if you plug too much into it.

[fpcorsair]

If you have a significant amount invested, spend a little more and get a quality protection device. I am using the APC Office Pro 350Kva. It gives you quality surge protect and a modest amount of back up power in the event of outages. It DOES NOT however provide continuous voltage regulation like a true UPS in that you run on commercial power until an outage (this is called an SPS). A true UPS has you running off of the Battery continuously. The commercial power always maintains a charge. This will filter & offer voltage conditioning. These are far better but $$$$. My APC BackUPS office 350 went for $65 on sale. All in all, a good investment. A true UPS can run from $120 to copious dollars for a network device... Your choice, your investment.