[NPMUG] Power Protection

[R_Adams]

Recently, I posted a question about where to begin looking for proper  
line/power conditioning and surge suppression.   A couple of you asked  
that I post what I learned and what I eventually purchased.  Well,  
with one answer comes another question.  I sought the advice of a  
couple of electrical engineers that I know.  One is a power system  
designer and the other is a chip designer.   Both were somewhat  
skeptical with line/power conditioning.  Both were adamant about the  
need for surge suppression.  It seems that line/power conditioning is  
a catch all term.  But both agreed that a line conditioner that  
provided a steady voltage, and would filter out some of the line noise  
can only be a good thing... but cost needed to be considered.  For  
surge suppression, you need at least a rating of greater than 1,500  
Joules.  Preferably, greater than 2,000 Joules.  Also, some indication  
as to the condition of the surge suppressor would be important...  
indicating that an event had occurred.

The "go-to" manufacturer when it comes to these two items appears to  
be TrippLite.

I purchased the TrippLite LS606M Line Conditioner.  I didn't have a  
need for a UPS, so no batteries for this unit. (note that the surge  
suppression on my unit is below 1,000 Joules)
To provide more surge suppression, I added a TrippLite ISOBAR6Ultra  
surge suppressor.   My only question is where to place the ISOBAR  
surge suppressor, upstream or downstream of the Line Conditioner.  My  
uneducated preference would be to place it upstream of the line  
conditioner.  But, the rule of thumb from the electrical engineering  
community is to place it as close to the device to be protected as  
possible... I think that we are now splitting hairs.

Now for pricing...  I found that www.provantage.com had the best shelf  
price and the best inventory.  But, you will have to pay for  
shipping.  www.amazon.com was a bit more expensive, but provided the  
option for free shipping.   The price then nets out the same between  
the two.. but provantage had the best selection.  The TrippLite  
website provides a nice list of prices from various distributors.

ISOBA6Ultra = $42.83
LS606M Line Conditioner = $69.17

I also purchased the ISOBAR6DBS for each of our TV's. $49.01

Sometimes, one pays for protection to get the "feeling" that they are  
protected.   I think that TrippLite has a product that is actually  
providing real protection.

http://www.provantage.com/tripp-lite-surge-suppressors~220177612.htm
http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/product-series.cfm?txtSeriesID=74&EID=81
http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/product-series.cfm?txtSeriesID=326&EID=13691 
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