SURGE PROTECTION

Here in Florida the average DVR, Computer, or Home Theater equipment, and other electrical devices will not survive the electrical impulses whether the power company is changing from one generator to another, or lightning is striking near by (none direct), or you have an electrical device on the same circuit that can be effected by an AC compressor, or other electrical devices. This is noticeable when the lights flicker when some device "kicks" on.

I always recommend a surge protector on electrical devices such as Home Theater Products, Security Devices such as DVRs, Computers, and on Televisions.

BEWARE!

For those of you who may not be aware of them. There are two kinds of surge protectors. "True" surge protectors, and "false" surge protectors.

I say "false", but what I am saying it that the surge protector manufacture uses one device called an MOV to do the actual "dampening", and it may have a lower JOULE rating, and they may have another MOV in parallel that does not provide the true protection, but it has a higher JOULE rating so that they can put that number on the box!

There are other companies that install MOVs to provide the "dampening", and it will have the true JOULE rating, and that is what you will see as the JOULE rating on the box.

Now are you confused??

Just look for the UL 1449 on the box of the surge protector. This may help you from the entry level crap that may not be UL 1449 protected. Then again, what stops a company that is non UL compliant to post this on their box?

A quality surge protector will have 3 MOVs one across each of the three pairs of conductors (hot-neutral, hot-ground, neutral-ground)!

Surge Protection is not Lightning Protection!

Direct Plug-in – These devices incorporate integral blades for connection directly to electrical outlets where point-of-use surge protection is desired.

Cord-connected – These devices incorporate a power supply cord terminating in an attachment plug for connection to electrical outlets where point-of-use surge protection is desired.

Permanently Connected – These devices utilize terminals, or leads that are then “hard wired” into the electrical distribution system. These products include switchboard and panelboard mounted devices and receptacle-type products. This paper will focus on the permanently connected type of products.

GDT

Gas Suppresion Tube

MLVR

Measured Limiting Voltage Rating

MOV

Metal Oxide Varisitor

PDU

Power Distribution Units

SPD

Surge Protection Device

TVSS

Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (or Surge Protection Device)

UPS

Uninterruptable Power Supply

LEVITON SURGE PROTECTION!

LEVITON SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=22330&minisite=10028

LEVITON POWER QUALITY

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCZzpHome.jsp?minisite=10091&respid=22372

Scorpion Theater Surge Protection Product Catalog

ENGLISH

SCORPION AUDIO, VIDEO, AND SECURITY!

ARE YOU READY FOR A HOME THEATER OF YOUR OWN?