Charbel Bernaba :
So it doesnt matter what surge protector i use theres no limit on that but when it comes to upd inneed to consider the limit then right?
This engineer will be demonstrating that many (maybe a majority) make recommendations without sufficient electrical knowledge. Worse, none posted numbers. A minority (lodder) was closer to reality.
Anyone can read specification numbers. Most who recommend protector only hear advertising; ignore numbers. Your computer (like all other appliances) already has robust protection internally. A hundreds joules surge will be converted by that computer into stable and low voltage DC to safely power its semiconductors. Advertising (what most use for knowledge) forget to learn about existing internal protection.
Again, numbers. How many joules does that protector claim to absorb? Hundreds? A thousand? Potentially destructive surges are hundreds of thousands of joules. Those numbers explain why some plug-in protectors have created fires. And why so many recommend a protector that fails on the first surge.
An adjacent protector must either 'block' or 'absorb' a surge. Obviously spec numbers say it will not 'absorb' a surge. How does a 2 cm part inside that protector 'block' what three miles of sky could not? Plenty of numbers routinely not found in advertising - the source of most previously posted recommendations.
For over 100 years, facilities that cannot have damage have always earthed a 'whole house' protector. This completely different device may cost about $1 per protected appliance. Remember, if anything (ie computer) needs protection, then everything needs protection. What protects a dishwasher, GFCIs, clocks, TV, dimmer switches, LED bulbs ... and what most needs protection during a surge - smoke detectors. Only the 'whole house' solution does that.
Surges are never 'blocked' or 'absorbed' as so many want to believe. A potentially destructive surge (that can overwhelm protection inside appliances) must be earthed BEFORE it can enter a building. A surge current that is not inside does not damage anything.
More numbers - numbers separate informed from naive consumers. A direct lightning strike can be 20,000 amps. So a minimal 'whole house' protector is rated at 50,000 amps. Because no protector must fail with any surge. Because effective protectors remain function for decades - after many surges. Numbers demonstrate how and why that is done.
Finally, no protect
or is protect
ion. Protect
ion is defined by by what harmlessly dissipate hundreds of thousands of joules (a critical number that other did not know). That is single point earth ground. A protect
or is only a connecting device to what does protect
ion. It must connect low impedance (ie less than 10 feet) to single point earth ground. Earth absorbs that energy. Then no surge is inside hunting for earth destructively via your computer and all other appliances.
Again, the difference. Most who recommend protectors do not even know what one does. Only a minority know this stuff. Numbers separate the informed from others only educated by advertising and hearsay.
UPS is only temporary and 'dirty' power during a blackout. Anyone can read its numbers. It does not claim effective surge protection. Most ignore reality - claim a UPS does surge protection. Well yes. Near zero protection. Once we add numbers, an answer completely changes.
BTW, the most important component in a surge protection system is not a protector - it is single point earth ground.
AC utilities intentionally wire to commercial and residential buildings so that 'dirtiest' power goes to commercial buildings - 'cleanest' power goes to residential homes.