Wirecutter tested a random sample of surge protector strips from different manufacturers, and it largely confirmed what I suspected: performance is all over the map: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-surge-protector/ It's also not as simple as "you get what you pay for", as the one wirecutter liked most was a $33 APC strip, which outperformed more expensive strips that it tested.
What should be the purchase criteria? I'm thinking:
1. Clamping voltage close to regular voltage. The $33 APC clamps to 160 volts. That's much better than a lot of them. I've seen some that claim to clamp to 130. Should that be the objective?
2. Probably uses MOV's as the technology.
3. At a minimum , some kind of visual indication as to whether the MOV's are still working or whether they have worn out. I'd prefer to have a fairly quiet alarm over a visual indicator, as I'll probably forget to check the visual indicators as time goes by.
4. I'm torn on the topic of whether it should shut down rather than continue to function once it can no longer protect: http://blogs.computerworld.com/19637...doesnt_protect Is there a right answer? Apparently APC chose one way, and Tripp Lite the opposite. I'm leaning toward the Tripp Lite approach, provided it has an audible alarm.
5. Ideally, an easy way to inexpensively replace the MOV's when that happens. Are there any strips where you can easily and economically unplug bad MOV's and plug in good replacement MOV's, or do economies of scale make it more realistic to simply replace the entire thing? How long do these things typically last anyhow?
6. A favorable price/performance ratio. I'm fine with $33. Some, like http://www.zerosurge.com/residential...tial-products/, cost $150-$200 though. Is that way past the point of diminishing returns?
7. UL listed.
8. Anything else?
My wife's solution to all this? "Just buy what they have at Costco." Ignoring the UPS's, the Costco choice would probably be: http://www.costco.com/Tripp-Lite-Pro....11244578.html It does come with an audible alarm. The Costco listing doesn't show the clamping voltage (fairly typical for retailers), but this does: http://www.tripplite.com/home-comput...j45~TLP810NET/ which says it clamps to 150 Volts RMS, so slightly better than the APC in the wirecutter article above. Amazon sells the same model (though the photos look a bit different) for $34. For now, I'll call it my default choice. Is there a reason to think it might be a bad choice for, say, protecting a PoE Ethernet switch that powers Z-troller's and ip cams?
So, what are you all using?
What should be the purchase criteria? I'm thinking:
1. Clamping voltage close to regular voltage. The $33 APC clamps to 160 volts. That's much better than a lot of them. I've seen some that claim to clamp to 130. Should that be the objective?
2. Probably uses MOV's as the technology.
3. At a minimum , some kind of visual indication as to whether the MOV's are still working or whether they have worn out. I'd prefer to have a fairly quiet alarm over a visual indicator, as I'll probably forget to check the visual indicators as time goes by.
4. I'm torn on the topic of whether it should shut down rather than continue to function once it can no longer protect: http://blogs.computerworld.com/19637...doesnt_protect Is there a right answer? Apparently APC chose one way, and Tripp Lite the opposite. I'm leaning toward the Tripp Lite approach, provided it has an audible alarm.
5. Ideally, an easy way to inexpensively replace the MOV's when that happens. Are there any strips where you can easily and economically unplug bad MOV's and plug in good replacement MOV's, or do economies of scale make it more realistic to simply replace the entire thing? How long do these things typically last anyhow?
6. A favorable price/performance ratio. I'm fine with $33. Some, like http://www.zerosurge.com/residential...tial-products/, cost $150-$200 though. Is that way past the point of diminishing returns?
7. UL listed.
8. Anything else?
My wife's solution to all this? "Just buy what they have at Costco." Ignoring the UPS's, the Costco choice would probably be: http://www.costco.com/Tripp-Lite-Pro....11244578.html It does come with an audible alarm. The Costco listing doesn't show the clamping voltage (fairly typical for retailers), but this does: http://www.tripplite.com/home-comput...j45~TLP810NET/ which says it clamps to 150 Volts RMS, so slightly better than the APC in the wirecutter article above. Amazon sells the same model (though the photos look a bit different) for $34. For now, I'll call it my default choice. Is there a reason to think it might be a bad choice for, say, protecting a PoE Ethernet switch that powers Z-troller's and ip cams?
So, what are you all using?
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