I need an in-wall surge protector for new LCD TV



Quote:
Originally Posted by mambwe /forum/post/16842052


How does this unit compare to the Monster power center that had an extra slot for hdmi wires?

Click to expand...

Monster Cable has a long history of identifying scams and marketing to them. If Monster Cable is your benchmark, then I also have an East River bridge to sell you - also a great deal.


Do you think 2 cm parts inside that little Monster protector will stop what three miles of sky could not stop? Do you think its few hundred joules will absorb a surge of hundreds of thousands of joules? Of course not. Same applies to the in-wall protector. Anything that will protect at the electronics is already inside the electronics.


Your concern is the surge that might overwhelm protection inside those electronics. That typically may happen once every seven years. Nothing stops or absorbs such surges. Effective protection means earthing that energy harmlessly. A surge not inside a building need not hunt for destructive paths to earth via your appliances.


terenz> Why not get a surge suppressor installed at your panel box too?


That solution is most effective even with superior or inferior household wiring. Either that in-wall protector must somehow magically absorb all that energy. Or connect that energy short (ie 'less than 10 feet') to earth so that energy is not even inside the house. So that protection in all appliances is not overwhelmed.


How does a few hundred joules in a protector absorb surges that are hundreds of thousands of joules?


A protector is not protection. View manufacturer spec sheets from Monster Cable. Where does it list each type of surge and protection from that surge? It does not even claim protection? Did you notice that? It does not even claim protection. It contains the same protection circuit also selling in grocery store protectors for $7. Sell that three dollar power strip with fancy paint and some ten cent parts for how much? Does price determine quality? Or do you identify scams by thinking like an engineer? Appreciate what it really provides - a massive profit margin.


Your best solution is a product from companies with honest reputations - General Electric, Square D, Leviton, Intermatic, Keison, Siemens. The Cutler-Hammer 'whole house' protector sells in Lowes for less than $50. But again, what provides protection? Not a protector. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground. Upgrade building earthing (and interior wires to meet and exceed post 1990 National Electrical Code. Better earthing via a 'whole house' protector means superior and effective electronics protection.


A protector is only as effective as its earth ground. Earth ground is the protection. A protector only connects surges short to earth. No earth ground and what does it do with all that surge energy?


Sufficient earthing means a short connection (ie 'less than 10 feet'), no sharp wire bends, no splices, not inside metallic conduit, separated from other non-grounding wires ... How to best earth only one 'whole house' protector and just more reasons why in-wall protectors have no earth ground - does not even claim to provide protection in numeric specs.


Above is only secondary protection. Every protection layer is only defined by its one critical component - earth ground. Also inspect your primary surge protection system:
http://www.tvtower.com/fpl.html