Do you use a surge-protectors for your expensive electrical equipment?

Question

A faulty appliance (washing machine) tonight gave a very violent surge and tripped the safety switch in the breaker box.
My expensive SpeedTouch wireless router wasn't on a surge protector - and it's delicate circuits took a big fry-out.

After 4 hours of trying everything... it's finally struggled out of it's coma, but a real close call - so just a warning... get surge protector extensions for all power areas where you've plugged in your best gear.

Answer 1

I use monster power on my home theater equipment in the living room and bedroom, as well as for my video games, and pc in my game room. Now although I love them they are more expensive than the average one (got a discount because I was a retailer of their products). But you can pick up other good brands like belkin, and tripplite as well. just make sure it a surge protector and not a mutiple outlet extension cable. If you are really into hometheater you can get ones like the monster power that has clean power, or the higher end belkin ones that filter the electricity to get any noise out of it. If you have computers a battery back up is nice as well.

Answer 2

As an office equipment technician..I know what can happen during a storm or surge..people have paid me many a money to fix something that could have been protected by a $50 dollar item....and those power strips are not surge protector...and will not protect from a lightning strike or an electrical power surge from a main line. You get what you pay for.

Answer 3

My computer has a surge protector and so does my hi-fi and home theatre.

Our electrical mains board has an R.C.D. for the whole house, too.

Answer 4

im with joe s, i have a monster surge protector (bought from argos) which if you register it on their website, they give you £3,000 coverage on your equipment. hopefully though i'll never need it.