Is a power strip labeled as being a surge protector any better than a regular power strip with a fuse?

dhruv990 · Feb 23, 2014

Hi,
I have this light point on which I currently run my TV, Computer speakers (which are hooked up to my TV, Creative Branded) A media player, A D2H Box, and my old PS2.

Now in some time I am going to get a laptop which I will occasionally (or frequently depending whether I get addicted to some racing game, or an action adventure) hook up to my TV.

I'm planning on getting a power strip with a 6 socket outlet.

Now will I be better off getting a Belkin Economy Series Surge protector or will a regular power strip with an inbuilt fuse work for my purpose?

The other power strip I'm talking about is a reliable brand where I live. And I have personally used it on many prior occasions. However I'm worried about a plain power strip somehow damaging my laptop.

Do these surge protectors actually offer any benefit over regular fused power strips?

I do have a spike buster installed on my home wiring, It's actually an energy saver which absorbs spikes when they occur. The company I bought them from said they're good for the entire house. But I'm still wondering how much of a voltage spike does it take to render a laptop completely useless.

For all those wondering why I'm deciding between such a thing is because the Belkin Surge Protector, where I live, costs about triple the amount I would pay for fused power strip.

jb6684 · Feb 23, 2014

A fuse blows when too much current is drawn by the devices connected to it.... (so, it's pretty much useless for something like a lighting strike)

A surge protector, does just that is protects against spikes of higher than normal voltage....

BUT, if you have a whole house spike suppression system, you should Not need a redundant surge suppressor to protect each set of devices...

Ubrales · Feb 23, 2014

Short answer: Go with the Belkin.

There are three things that can happen. 1. Spikes, 2. Sags, 3. Surges. The surge suppressor will take care of spikes and surges within its design limits. The quality of the power you get delivered to your home also depends on the neighborhood. If there are large motors turned ON and OFF in an adjecent industrial area, it will affect the power you get. Sometimes this is noticeable by a slight dimming (or increased brightness) of the lights in your house.

A power strip costs $5; whereas a strip with a medium surge suppressor will cost around $25.

Here is some explanation: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/surge-protector5.htm
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/PowerQualityandMonitoring/SurgeProtectiveDevices/index.htm?wtredirect=www.eaton.com/spd/ (read Eaton's Guide to Surge Suppression)

I have six of these surge suppressors scattered around my house into which electronics devices are plugged in. In addition, when we have a storm, I unplug all devices from the wall outlet (surge suppression will not work against a lightning strike).

Does this ensure protection for my devices? I don't know, but it helps me sleep better at nights!

dhruv990 · Feb 23, 2014

Ubrales :

I understand the necessity of protection against lightning strikes, but in my entire 24 years of living in this city have never once seen a lightning strike. Nor have there been reports of them in previous years. So lightning is one thing I'm not worried about.
I'm worried about spikes because the power here gets cut frequently and I have read that sometime when it comes back it comes back with a jolt bringing along a spike in voltage. It's for that reason we got the energy savers, the company did state that these will absorb he spikes that happen due to power cuts.
But still I do guess that it's better to be safe than cry like a baby later. I'll probably save up some more money and get a proper surge protection power strip. I only wish that the brand I'm using now produced a 6 socket model, they only have a 4 socket model. It's a highly reliable brand and comes with surge protection and filters.

Ubrales · Feb 23, 2014

If you have power outage problems then a surge protector is definitely the answer!

westom · Feb 25, 2014

dhruv990 :

You asked a damning question that Belkin, et al fear you might ask. Superior protection is already inside every household appliance. Or are you replacing dimmer switches, clocks, smoke detectors, and the furnance daily? What others call major variations are normal power to all appliances.

Your concern is a rare transient that can overwhelm that existing protection. That occurs maybe once every seven years. And probably less frequently in your venue. Nothing inside the house (adjacent to appliances)can or even claims to protect from that anomaly. jb6684 described the only solution (a system) implemented so that rare and destructive anomalies do not cause damage. This costs maybe £1 per protected appliance - a least expensive solution. Is the only solution always found in any facility that cannot have damage. And is necessary to even protect the Belkin.

That energy saver is a bogus scam. Since any tiny spikes (noise) on AC mains are automatically converted to useful a power supply inside all electronics.

Blackouts and power restoration are not surges and do not harm electronics. A protector does nothing for many other anomalies (such as blackouts, brownouts, harmonics, frequency variation, etc). Many myths just know a surge exists when power is restored. Absolute rubbish. When power is restrored, voltage rises slowly as everything powers up simultaneously. This is potentially harmful to motorized appliances. And is ideal for electronics.

Potentially destructive surges are even hundreds of thousands of joules. How much energy does the Belkin claim to absorb? Hundreds? Why such a vast difference in those numbers? Undersizing a protector gets the naive to recommend it. Since undersizing causes frequent protectors failures on surges made completely irrelevant by protection already inside every appliance. Meanwhile, effective protectors do not fail after many surges - including direct lightning strikes.

Take a £2 power strip. Add some pence protector parts. Then sell it for £25 or £40. Why do so many recommend a Belkin? With profit margins that obscene, they spend massively on advertising. How often have you seen advertising for the superior and less expensive 'whole hosue' protector? These more responsible manufacturers put most of your money into the product.

Be concerned with a Belkin and other equivalent products that somehow (magically) absorb or block surges. Read Belkin's specifications. Only rated for surges that typically do no damage. As we engineers discovered by tracing and eliminating surge damage, an adjacent protector can sometimes make appliance damage easier. By bypassing protection already inside electronic power supplies. Just another reason why it does not even claim to protect from typically destructive anomalies.

Protect everything by earthing one 'whole house' protector. Because even a Belkin would need that protection.

dhruv990 · Feb 25, 2014

westom :

dhruv990 :

You asked a damning question that Belkin, et al fear you might ask. Superior protection is already inside every household appliance. Or are you replacing dimmer switches, clocks, smoke detectors, and the furnance daily? What others call major variations are normal power to all appliances.

Your concern is a rare transient that can overwhelm that existing protection. That occurs maybe once every seven years. And probably less frequently in your venue. Nothing inside the house (adjacent to appliances)can or even claims to protect from that anomaly. jb6684 described the only solution (a system) implemented so that rare and destructive anomalies do not cause damage. This costs maybe £1 per protected appliance - a least expensive solution. Is the only solution always found in any facility that cannot have damage. And is necessary to even protect the Belkin.

That energy saver is a bogus scam. Since any tiny spikes (noise) on AC mains are automatically converted to useful a power supply inside all electronics.

Blackouts and power restoration are not surges and do not harm electronics. A protector does nothing for many other anomalies (such as blackouts, brownouts, harmonics, frequency variation, etc). Many myths just know a surge exists when power is restored. Absolute rubbish. When power is restrored, voltage rises slowly as everything powers up simultaneously. This is potentially harmful to motorized appliances. And is ideal for electronics.

Potentially destructive surges are even hundreds of thousands of joules. How much energy does the Belkin claim to absorb? Hundreds? Why such a vast difference in those numbers? Undersizing a protector gets the naive to recommend it. Since undersizing causes frequent protectors failures on surges made completely irrelevant by protection already inside every appliance. Meanwhile, effective protectors do not fail after many surges - including direct lightning strikes.

Take a £2 power strip. Add some pence protector parts. Then sell it for £25 or £40. Why do so many recommend a Belkin? With profit margins that obscene, they spend massively on advertising. How often have you seen advertising for the superior and less expensive 'whole hosue' protector? These more responsible manufacturers put most of your money into the product.

Be concerned with a Belkin and other equivalent products that somehow (magically) absorb or block surges. Read Belkin's specifications. Only rated for surges that typically do no damage. As we engineers discovered by tracing and eliminating surge damage, an adjacent protector can sometimes make appliance damage easier. By bypassing protection already inside electronic power supplies. Just another reason why it does not even claim to protect from typically destructive anomalies.

Protect everything by earthing one 'whole house' protector. Because even a Belkin would need that protection.

So what you're saying is that it doesn't matter whether I get a belkin or any other fused strip? My only concern is that my laptop should not fry., it's very expensive. But at the same time I would not like to spend 3 times more money and realise that it was pointless, it's tough earning money where I live as it is. Also all my points are grounded, would that help in preventing any current leaks?

westom · Feb 25, 2014

dhruv990 :

Surge damage is always about a path into and another path out of the laptop. Tiny anomalies are already made irrelevant by protection inside all laptops. Your concern is a destructive transient, maybe once every seven years, that will blow through that laptop and anything else. Created even by stray cars, squirrels, linemen mistakes, and utility switching.

You never stop that current path despite others who recommended products to do just that.. Either connect current to earth BEFORE it enters a house. Otherwise current goes hunting for earth inside and destructively via appliances.

If concerned for a laptop, then also be concerned for smoke detectors, furnace, and other items necessary to even protect you. To even protect a power strip protector so that it does not create a fire. Even the refrigerator and mobile phone need that protection.

Earthing and a 'whole house' protector is installed / upgraded because it is so easy, so effective, and is necessary for so many other items you also depend on. Man does not live by laptop alone.

dhruv990 · Feb 26, 2014

westom :

Yeah man doesn't, I do

Anyways my only concern is that Its a brand new laptop, I dont want to plug it into a socket and after the power comes back after a power cut have my laptop fried. I agree none of my other appliances have ever had this problem, but one of my TVs did get fried like that, some chips on the main board of the TV got fried because of the power coming back on (let me tell you that I live in India, everything here happens carelessly). So it was working fine up till the power cut, when the power came back, after the cut, poof my tv went bye bye. I dont want that happening with my laptop cause it cost me 3 months income. If you can say with a surety that chances of that happening are minimal (and the laptop purchase has rendered me penniless, which is why I would rather have a bang for the buck strip than a strip that just makes claims) I'll go for the cheaper (but good quality) fused strip.

Ubrales · Feb 26, 2014

Dhruv, the power conditions in India are horrible!

Please read and study the information that I provided in the links that I posted earlier. Three months' income to buy a laptop by itself is justification to protect it from accidental damage. The surge protector, any surge protector is not 100% protection; nothing is 100% protection. However, it is noit 0% protection either.''Do not put yourself in a position where something bad happens and all you have is a bunch of posts to read, and explanations later as to why it happened.

Whenever there is a major calamity there is always a theory as to why it happened, but no one seems to know this or come up with this beforehand and PREVENT the calamity.

Get the surge protector!

westom · Feb 26, 2014

dhruv990 :

The TV was probably damaged by what also caused a power off. Power on does not do damage. Because power on means everything is powering on - voltage rises slowly.

Power on can be harmful to motorized appliances that hate the slow voltage rise. Power on is ideal for electronics that prefer that slow voltage rise.

Surge protector does nothing on power on. Damage is more often during the power off.

westom · Feb 26, 2014

Ubrales :

The material in HowStuffWorks is chock full of lies and myths. The errors on the first pages are so massive that whole pages longer than any post here have been written about that misinformation.

Reason many do not cite the relevant points - they don't know. It sounds accurate. Rather than say what specifically is relevant, many will instead say, "Trust me. Read this."

I cannot say how bogus and deceptive that HowStuffWorks citation is. Of course it is easy to see that. It provides no numbers to clarify its claims. It creates fears that are near zero once we include those missing numbers.

Ubrales · Feb 26, 2014

westom :

Ubrales :

The material in HowStuffWorks is chock full of lies and myths. The errors on the first pages are so massive that whole pages longer than any post here have been written about that misinformation.

Reason many do not cite the relevant points - they don't know. It sounds accurate. Rather than say what specifically is relevant, many will instead say, "Trust me. Read this."

I cannot say how bogus and deceptive that HowStuffWorks citation is. Of course it is easy to see that. It provides no numbers to clarify its claims. It creates fears that are near zero once we include those missing numbers.

I suppose Eaton Corporation is also bogus; right?

westom · Feb 26, 2014

Ubrales :

westom :

I suppose Eaton Corporation is also bogus; right?

westom · Feb 26, 2014

Ubrales :

If comprehending what Eaton states, then you cited the relevant point. Citing 1000 points as proof of your one belief is disingenous and misleading.

A responsible post discusses each anomaly with numbers. And a relevent solution for that anomaly. Frequency variation, open neutral, harmonics, EMC/EMI, floating ground, sags, RFI, power factor, high voltage, and spikes are just a few anomalies. Most who recommend a generic word (ie UPS, protector, line conditioner) post as if it solves all. And never provide specific spec numbers that say what it really does. But worse is to recommend a long paper without stating even once what is relevant.

So which anomaly are you recommending a cure for? And please do not cite HowStuffWorks as a responsible or informed source.

Ubrales · Feb 26, 2014

westom :

Regardless of what you say, I am FOR a surge protected power strip.

If you think otherwise, put your money where your mouth is, and provide a monetary guarantee to the OP protecting his valuable investment against catastrophe!

westom · Feb 26, 2014

Ubrales :

General Motors put a best warranty on their cars. So that proves GM products are superior to Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai? Of course not. A simple lesson well proven in free market economics. Products that hype a largest warranty are often inferior.

If you know a power strip is better, then the proof is in its manufacturer specification numbers. They can spin and lie all they want in advertising. Its legal. Bogus warranties have numerous fine print exemptions. But lying in numeric specs can get one sued big time.

Already cited are specifications that say a power strip is ineffective or near zero. Show me one manufacturer specification that claims what you believe? And good luck. Only proven so far is that advertising is successful at brainwashing. They made claims without any supporting facts and numbers.

Some adamently refuse to believe anything but the first thing told - the advertising or resulting hearsay. Advertising is that successful and profitable. Which is why Monster sell similar products at even higher prices. And so many recommend it as 'high quality'. As if price proves quality.

Eaton sells a well proven 'whole house' solution. Even sold in Lowes and Home Depot under the Cutler-Hammer brand name.

Ubrales · Feb 27, 2014

westom :

My economics professor was Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman. I picked up some of his mannerisms along with his free markets philosophy. When you mention "free markets" what do you have to show for it and stand behind? You can always say that Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman is bogus.

Now coming to Cutler Hammer. I know their products very well. I worked for Siemens AG Switchgear as head of Tooling for Switchgear. So don't try to intimidate me in these arenas. I learned some very fine engineering from Siemens products. Maybe they too are bogus. Right?

You can trash General Motors all you want. This is a free country and we have to tolerate such comments.

"... Frequency variation, open neutral, harmonics, EMC/EMI, floating ground, sags, RFI, power factor, high voltage, and spikes are just a few anomalies. Most who recommend a generic word (ie UPS, protector, line conditioner ..." - Ran out of buzz words?

I find your comments entertaining, not informative!

dhruv990 · Feb 27, 2014

Ubrales :

westom :

My economics professor was Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman. I picked up some of his mannerisms along with his free markets philosophy. When you mention "free markets" what do you have to show for it and stand behind? You can always say that Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman is bogus.

Now coming to Cutler Hammer. I know their products very well. I worked for Siemens AG Switchgear as head of Tooling for Switchgear. So don't try to intimidate me in these arenas. I learned some very fine engineering from Siemens products. Maybe they too are bogus. Right?

You can trash General Motors all you want. This is a free country and we have to tolerate such comments.

"... Frequency variation, open neutral, harmonics, EMC/EMI, floating ground, sags, RFI, power factor, high voltage, and spikes are just a few anomalies. Most who recommend a generic word (ie UPS, protector, line conditioner ..." - Ran out of buzz words?

I find your comments entertaining, not informative!

You are an economics graduate :ouch:

Me too, BA in Economics with Honours

Currently pursuing MA, thats quite cool you were taught by Friedman. We just read a few papers of his. And we faced disinterested teachers. I'll be PMing you if I have questions relating to economics

Ubrales · Feb 27, 2014

[/quotemsg]
You are an economics graduate :ouch:

Me too, BA in Economics with Honours

Currently pursuing MA, thats quite cool you were taught by Friedman. We just read a few papers of his. And we faced disinterested teachers. I'll be PMing you if I have questions relating to economics

[/quotemsg]

Now what have I gotten myself into!

Congrats on your BA Honors!

Nobel Laureate Merton Miller was my Corporate Finance prof. - Those were great days!

Let's get back on topic.

westom · Feb 28, 2014

Ubrales :

Refreshing that you know what I will say before I say it. Your unjustified sarcasm noted.

Effective 'whole house' protectors come from a long list of more responsible companies including General Electric, Ditek, Intermatic, Polyphaser, ABB, Leviton, Keison, Cutler-Hammer, ... *and Siemens*. Obvious had you understood previously posted technical facts and the significance of earth ground.

Facts relevant to the OP's questions (including how fuses and protectors work) were provided by an engineer who actually did this stuff for many decades. Without using myths intended only to belittle others.

Had you known how this stuff works, then you knew informed engineers even recommend that useful solution from Siemens. And why. But you didn't know this stuff. Insufficient knowledge also explains a bogus HowStuffWorks recommendation.

A shortage of basic technical knowledge was exposed. So you belittle to prove superiority? Even foolishly assume GM products are superior to Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai when technical facts and numbers clearly say otherwise? But you know better ... why?

Well, you did admit your HowStuffWorks recommendation was bogus. Now learn what I had said rather than speculate what I will say. You did not even understand your Eaton citation. Learn how electricity works before making recommendations to the OP who asked about protection from various electrical anomalies. It helps to first learn what those various anomalies are.

For the OP: if Indian power is horrible (a qualitative expression), then a Belkin surge protector will solve all or most problems? Absolute nonsense made obvious even by Belkin's specifications. Surge protectors are for one (of many) anomaly that is also defined quantitatively (by numbers). Recommendations in HowStuffWorks do not even address your concerns. A completely different device (also called a surge protector) is recommended IF properly earthed. Avoid the Belkin. Avoid any recommendations (ie Belkin) justified by spin from HowStuffWorks and other subjective rumors. Recommandations for other anomalies can also be provided by engineers. But only after that anomaly is first defined.

Ubrales · Feb 28, 2014

westom :

Ubrales :

Refreshing that you know what I will say before I say it. Your unjustified sarcasm noted.

Effective 'whole house' protectors come from a long list of more responsible companies including General Electric, Ditek, Intermatic, Polyphaser, ABB, Leviton, Keison, Cutler-Hammer, ... *and Siemens*. Obvious had you understood previously posted technical facts and the significance of earth ground.

Facts relevant to the OP's questions (including how fuses and protectors work) were provided by an engineer who actually did this stuff for many decades. Without using myths intended only to belittle others.

Had you known how this stuff works, then you knew informed engineers even recommend that useful solution from Siemens. And why. But you didn't know this stuff. Insufficient knowledge also explains a bogus HowStuffWorks recommendation.

A shortage of basic technical knowledge was exposed. So you belittle to prove superiority? Even foolishly assume GM products are superior to Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai when technical facts and numbers clearly say otherwise? But you know better ... why?

Well, you did admit your HowStuffWorks recommendation was bogus. Now learn what I had said rather than speculate what I will say. You did not even understand your Eaton citation. Learn how electricity works before making recommendations to the OP who asked about protection from various electrical anomalies. It helps to first learn what those various anomalies are.

For the OP: if Indian power is horrible (a qualitative expression), then a Belkin surge protector will solve all or most problems? Absolute nonsense made obvious even by Belkin's specifications. Surge protectors are for one (of many) anomaly that is also defined quantitatively (by numbers). Recommendations in HowStuffWorks do not even address your concerns. A completely different device (also called a surge protector) is recommended IF properly earthed. Avoid the Belkin. Avoid any recommendations (ie Belkin) justified by spin from HowStuffWorks and other subjective rumors. Recommandations for other anomalies can also be provided by engineers. But only after that anomaly is first defined.

From entertaining to amusing!

Ubrales · Feb 28, 2014

"Horrible power conditions in India" - qualitative yes; quantified - 1/week at random at peak usage periods. Brownouts 5/month at peak periods. Sags unknown but happens (not measured with Voltmeter or oscilloscopes). This info is from actual residents in two different geographic locations and not from government agencies. Verify by just asking the right people.

The events are random and the Poisson distribution will come closest.

You live in the UK and are immune to these problems. I live in the US and the last power outage that I can recall was over three years ago. On one occasion a lightning strike destroyed one electronic dimmer switch in my home (all computers, TVs, were unplugged from the wall in spite of surge protectors) and I will continue to unplug devices. Prudent!

westom · Feb 28, 2014

Ubrales :

Those anomalies will be completely ignored by the Belkin. You should have known this before posting a recommendation. A Belkin in India does absolutely nothing until the 230 volts exceeds 650 volts. So what does the Belkin do for sags and brownouts? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Sags and brownouts are voltages below 230 volts. And well below what a Belkin must see (650 volts) to do anythng useful.

A US blackout caused damage? Your US Belkin ignores any voltage below 330 volts. How does that protect a dimmer switch or anything else? How did you protect the furnace, dishwasher, GFCI,s and smoke detectors? It doesn't. Those appliances are more reasons why informed consumers earth a 'whole house' protector. And spend no money on the Belkin.

Voltage can drop so low that incandescent bulbs dim to 50% intensity. Even that voltage is normal for all electronics. You have described as destructive what is perfectly normal voltages for electronics - even dimmer switches. You recommmended a Belkin to do what? Numbers demonstrate a Belkin was recommended only on hearsay. Even Belkin's specification numbers says it does nothing for those anomalies. A Belkin was recommended only because advertising said so. And because HowStuffWorks recommended it - by ignoring all numbers.

Ubrales · Feb 28, 2014

westom :

Ubrales :

Those anomalies will be completely ignored by the Belkin. You should have known this before posting a recommendation. A Belkin in India does absolutely nothing until the 230 volts exceeds 650 volts. So what does the Belkin do for sags and brownouts? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Sags and brownouts are voltages below 230 volts. And well below what a Belkin must see (650 volts) to do anythng useful.

A US blackout caused damage? Your US Belkin ignores any voltage below 330 volts. How does that protect a dimmer switch or anything else? How did you protect the furnace, dishwasher, GFCI,s and smoke detectors? It doesn't. Those appliances are more reasons why informed consumers earth a 'whole house' protector. And spend no money on the Belkin.

Voltage can drop so low that incandescent bulbs dim to 50% intensity. Even that voltage is normal for all electronics. You have described as destructive what is perfectly normal voltages for electronics - even dimmer switches. You recommmended a Belkin to do what? Numbers demonstrate a Belkin was recommended only on hearsay. Even Belkin's specification numbers says it does nothing for those anomalies. A Belkin was recommended only because advertising said so. And because HowStuffWorks recommended it - by ignoring all numbers.

Entertaining!

Is a power strip labeled as being a surge protector any better than a regular power strip with a fuse?

Distinguished

Distinguished

Polypheme

Distinguished

Polypheme

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Polypheme

Distinguished

Distinguished

Polypheme

Distinguished

Distinguished

Polypheme

Distinguished

Polypheme

Distinguished

Polypheme

Distinguished

Polypheme

Polypheme

Distinguished

Polypheme

Share this page