Whole house surge suppressor. No need for individual surge strips also protects your appliances HVAC etc.
They also dont rely on MOV"s that wear out over time. They are not very expensive installs at your breaker box.
Surge Protectors
Hello Friends,
I recently added a dedicated 20amp circuit just for my Dutch & Dutch 8C's (active speakers). In addition to some vibration control (T podiums) the setup sounds amazing. I couldn't be happier with the 8C's, and the impending firmware upgrade adding BACCH to the system is just a big fat cherry on top. I'm nearly at the end of my journey in terms of buying/upgrading.
At the moment the right speaker doesn't reach the new outlet so both speakers are plugged into a surge protector, which is plugged into the new outlet.
My question is this, is my surge protector ($26 Belkin with 12 plugs from Amazon) a bottleneck, or in any way limiting the benefits of the new circuit?
- ...
- 25 posts total
| Post removed |
I, too, had an EP2000 installed around 15 years ago. I also added a plug-in fixed cord unit, EP2450, in audio rack for additional noise abatement from internal home sources. My area had been experiencing power interruption with new housing and healthcare construction along with seasonal electrical storms. Prior to install, an expensive motherboard for a hot tub had to be replaced, which I believe was due to surge. Fortunately, I have not had any further issues with any of my electronics since. I do shut down and unplug my electronics during local lightning activity or when I have been away for extended period. I would not expect any device to provide sufficient protection from intensity of direct or very close lightning strike. |
@ 69zoso69 well I had the Furman ref 15i for many years. I felt it did a pretty good job, however there was an ever so slight transformer hum if you put your ear near the top of the unit. I subsequently upgraded to the Puritan PMS 156 which I feel gave me an audible improvement as well as protection. |
I’m sorry but there’s a whole lot of misinformation here. Yes, whole house surge protectors are a good thing and everyone should get them.
As I explain in my blog, consistent with the 2020 NEC and all whole house surge protector documentation, this is simply not correct. Unfortunately, in some cases you need to read the find print to get to the full disclosure. They are "whole house," but not "every device." The technical issue is the high let-through voltages of whole house suppressors vs. the best-in-class outlet surge protectors. Around 600V for whole house but < 200V for the best in-class strips. These include:
How important any of this is depends a lot on where you live and the propensity to lightning strikes and power problems in your experience.
Every whole-house surge protectors I’ve seen from Siemens, Eaton and Square D absolutely rely on MOV’s and do wear out over repeated use. There may be some that are based on gas discharge tubes though I haven’t seen those in ages and I think they used to go on the outside meter. Whole-house protectors are meant to protect the wiring in the walls and things which are permanently connected, now including fire alarms, automated controls, and major appliances. They don't have the fast or fine voltage clamp downs needed to ensure delicate electronics need.
That’s expensive. Usually they don’t charge the install fee. Figure an electrician can install one in your panel for around $350 including parts, and no monthly fee. In many cases a homeowner can install one themselves, especially if it's a plug-on unit that fits in place of breakers. I wrote much more about this here:
https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2021/09/time-for-new-surge-suppression.html |
- 25 posts total