Surge protection questions and layout

[newconroer]

I am looking to refit/rebuild the power layout of devices around the home. Surge protection has come up recently and I am of the mind to have something professionally done at the panel - furthering what's already in place of course.

For what I can do myself, I've got a couple of questions :

A) My understanding is that a proper surge protector always carries a Joules rating. If it doesn't, don't buy it.

B) On a multi-outlet, it's better to use more than one surge protector, as opposed to loading up all your devices onto one. However Google giving lots of contradictory results about whether or not that's true.

C) If it matters which devices you mix and match across multi surge protectors. E.g. Having four monitors on one, and two computers on another. Or one computer and a monitor on the first one, and equally on the second one.


I also have to consider smaller devices, so my line up for this one room is :
Two monitors, one computer, NAS, modem, router, G27 and audio amplifier.

How would you design the layout?

 

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

With my crunching rigs, i try to keep one rig to a surge protector. Some outlets have 2 surge protectors plugged into them. I also try to even the load across them. Example being, 2 rigs sharing one monitor, i try and put the monitor on the surge protector with the lesser drawing rig.

 

[AsRock]

To me splitting the load and using more than one is always the better option even with a UPS as one might fail to do it's job all so with a UPS it be better for the battery in the long term too..

As it sounds your just on about the standard stuff no battery backup well same goes one could all ways fail were the other may not. Al so check what load is allowed to pass though it before it flips to.

 

[newconroer]

Thanks will do. What of cable curling? Does it really matter that the surge strip's cable is not stretched out straight? Mine are pretty wound (but not knotted).

 

[fullinfusion]

A good UPS or APC unit is better then any so called surge protector bars at even a super high joule rating. I use an APC unit and its only a 650 watt unit. I've had it for a number of years and I've never lost any equipment that's bee plugged into it. Ive even had lightning hit the line at the back of the house and it wiped out a few of my appliances that were not hooked to a surge protector. My TV has a good surge protector and it didn't save it and KT was a good $100 dollar power bar too.

That night boom and everything went black and my APC unit tripped and a high pitched screen came outa the unit. Its a built in thing to let you know the power went out but boy let me tell ya this thing works well to say the least. It also smooths out the current coming out of the walls socket and another reason I use it is for over clocking... Smoother delivery is just easier on everything g hooked up to it

 

[Arctucas]

My opinion as an electrician; whole-house surge protection at the panel is always your best option.

 

[TheMailMan78]

My opinion as an electrician; whole-house surge protection at the panel is always your best option.

This.

Breaker box protection/AC panel is the best. This with UPS backups at your computer to save yourself from corruption on sudden shut off is the only way to fly. If you do get a whole house protector get a sparky (Electrician) to install it properly. Its an easy job for the experienced. A novice could kill himself FAST.

Edit: I just noticed the guy in that video is wearing a watch and didn't test the leads before he started working on it. DO NOT FOLLOW THIS VIDEO. Its just to show you where its normally installed. Hire a sparky. I don't want to read about any dead TPU members.

 

[newconroer]

A) I'll be looking for panel work by next year and may pick up a UPS or two for some of the computers.
B) Is the UPS more of a safeguard for sudden power loss from the mains? Or does it also carry built in spike /surge protection?
C) Should I be trying to match the wattage rating of a UPS with that of my total device wattage usage?
D) I'll still invest a new set of surge strips
E) Any thoughts on dangers of the cable curl of power strips(surge protection or otherwise)
F) This is a typical product I often see for sale. However I question the ratings. It states 8 channel with 13amps. Shouldn't I require something higher?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MASTERPLU...e_Protectors_Power_Strips&hash=item4ad3fc79d5