Posted by Deke on 11/15/99 11:39

<felixcct@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1139413957.810444.161570@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> w_tom wrote:
> > If his problem was solved by a surge protector, then nothing in the
> > player would function. Furthermore, a surge protector "in series" is a
> > myth. Plug-in protector promoted by people who don't even know what a
> > surge protector does. A protector that 'looks' like it is between a
> > VCR/DVD player and AC electric is really only in parallel. A
> > destructive transient hits protector and player simultaneously. Since
> > players already have internal protection, then a trivial surge may not
> > damage the player - and yet fully vaporize the typically undersized
> > protector. Trivial surge struck both equally and simultaneously. But
> > only grossly undersized protector failed - provided ineffective
> > protection.
>
> Actually this is not quite a correct version of how a surge protector
> works.
>
> Real surge protectors typically have the following specifications:
> 1. Peak voltage allowed to pass
> 2. Response time to respond to over-voltage
> 3. Maximum energy sinked to ground before destruction
>
> When a voltage spike arrives at the surge protector, if it exceeds the
> peak limit, the surge protector will drop to very low resistance and
> begin diverting the current to ground. The response time is critical in
> determining how much of the spike's energy will reach the protected
> equipment. It's not the voltage of the spike that matters, it's the
> total energy that gets through - i.e., voltage x current x time, with
> the time being the critical factor that's up to the surge protector.
>
> Surge protectors also have a maximum energy capacity. If it is
> exceeded, the surge protector will be destroyed, which may allow
> additional energy to get through to the now-unprotected equipment (but
> hopefully by then a line fuse or breaker in the current loop will have
> opened). Many types of surge protectors are intended for one-time-use -
> if they divert a surge, they are permanently affected, and need to be
> replaced.
>
Well said, and exactly correct. Its also why I use several surge protectors
plugged one into another. And theres also Panamax's $25,000.00 replacement
guarantee, altho I've never known anyone to use it. I have known of them
replacing damaged protectors for free though. Thats why my local
electronics shop sells them.

D

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