Surge protector board... which one to get?

hey guys, i've got a bunch of low powered external hard drives here as well as one laptop, a mac mini and soon to be a Q9400 PC tower. there is only one power outlet in this room. there are probably around 10 devices or so including the monitors and cable modem.

right now i'm just using a stock standard 5 powerboard which has dual adapters plugged into each one. it looks like this http://dicksmith.com.au/product/M6601/hpm-4-outlet-powerboard-twin-pack, but it has dual adapters plugged in on top and this is how i have 10 devices plugged in.

i was told this is dangerous. is this true?

if i get the surge protector board can i still use the dual adapters or is that still dangerous? i want to remove the external HDD's and put them somewhere else in the house, but i'll be adding a power hungry PC so i'll be using more power.

i've never looked into this before so i'd appreciate any help.

thanks.!

 

if the power board has overload protection, and it should, there is no danger. however it is still bad practice.

as for which one to buy? you can get one with an overly inflated price, or you can buy an average one. for what you want to do it doesnt really matter.

 

is this one ok? http://dicksmith.com.au/product/M78...Hash=51ef37266010cf9cb5ac9e0657326aeafed3831b

i just found it a few minutes ago.

 

Belkin (and haggle like nobodies business on price) Lifetime warranty (it dies you get another for free) and they warrant what attaches to it.

That or Thor.

 

what about the one i posted?

 

what's the warranty like?

Will they replace items that are surged through it and if so up to what value?

I know H&C does things like replaced surged items but often it's less effort to never have it blown up in the first place or not pay an excess to make a claim.

 

is the one i posted decent?

 

Hi NitroGuy

It looks OK. There is more info at: http://reviews.dicksmith.com.au/8465-en_au/M7810/reviews.htm

Says it has a lifetime guarantee and $100,000 connected gear insurance.

Normal price is $59. So go for it. Maybe get two.

 

Do you know of anyone who has successfully made a claim?

Personally I don't like your chances.

it looks fine - as good as any of the cheaper boards.

2.

 

You honestly think Belkin would dud people on their claims?

I have seen someone claim warranty on a board though. All surge boards will eventually expire due to how they work, the great thing about the Belkin is it's a buy once item

 

I don't know.
Do you know of anyone who has successfully made a claim? (for something plugged into a belkin board).

Given insurance companies invent phases like "act of god" to get out of paying
I can't see why any other company would just give away money.

2.

 

its dangerous especially if you get a brownout, the more things you put on 1 board the more chance of killing things, surge protection protects against surges but not brownouts.

same board as above, but $20 incl free post

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/M78101/surge-interceptor-8-way-surge-board

 

No but they require that you jump through a number of hoops before they pay out.

Most people give up.

 

Its been discussed here before - it makes no difference if ten things are plugged into one board or individually plugged into ten outlets on the same house circuit.

True - that's why they are called Surge Protectors.
For brownouts, you need a UPS.

2.

 

The last line covers it, but read the whole article anyway.

http://www.dansdata.com/gz039.htm

 

I've been happy with my APC Line-R, now my plasma doesn't flicker when my fridge compressor starts Provides surge protection and voltage regulation, also is resettable (no fuses). For not that much more than a power board, it's worth it IMO.

 

If you're basing your buying decisions on the connected equipment warranty, I would have a good read of the terms and conditions first.

 

From past experience most of these connected equipment warranties only cover your gear if you get a single huge surge which manages to take out all of the MOV's in one hit or if the board has a manufacturing defect which allows a smaller surge through.
They will have fine print which requires you to regularly confirm that the surge protection is working (i.e. check the protected light) and some even require you to disconnect your gear from the power in the event of a thunderstorm.

Also most of them are self insurance arrangements.

 

just the lifetime replacement warranty seals it for me - all surge boards will die.

 

surge boards are a consumable item, they do not protect you against brown outs, or cycling supply.

i know plenty of people who have bought overpriced boards, yet to meet someone who has made a successful claim. might as well buy a few $900 gold plated antivirus optic fibre cables while your at it