Do Surge Protectors even work?

[Pichu]

Oh god, this topic makes me worry for my own consoles....

Should I get some surge protectors?

[winds]

Aside from having the light to let you know if it's still any good, a decent surge should have a light indicating if your ground is ok as well.

Thanks. I just checked my PC surge protector and you're right, there is a green led on that says "Protection Working" and there is also an led that is currently off that says "Building Wiring Fault" or something, it's a little hard to read because of the location of it.

The other surge protector that my cable box was just fried on has a lit green led that says "protected" and another led thats off which says "not grounded"

So i'm guessing they should both be giving me protection, despite the fact they both failed recently?

[MrPopo]

So i'm guessing they should both be giving me protection, despite the fact they both failed recently?

Did you leave the window open? Surge protectors won't help if lightning actually strikes your devices.

[Hobie-wan]

Thanks. I just checked my PC surge protector and you're right, there is a green led on that says "Protection Working" and there is also an led that is currently off that says "Building Wiring Fault" or something, it's a little hard to read because of the location of it.

The other surge protector that my cable box was just fried on has a lit green led that says "protected" and another led thats off which says "not grounded"

So i'm guessing they should both be giving me protection, despite the fact they both failed recently?

Even if they say good, but both failed to protect you recently, replace them. Were they cheap $20 or less things? Replace them.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I unplug stuff, I don't trust surge protectors.

[Octopod]

I use the 8 plug Belkins they sell at Target. The double row ones so I can plug in fat plugs. I think they were about $18 a piece.

[wip3outguy7]

Also keep in mind that even a surge protector won't do you any good if you experience a direct strike. If lightning hits the line and it travels into your house, it's going through the surge protector, no matter how much you paid for it. If a storm is coming (and this may not have been the case in your situation), it's best to shut the protector off and unplug the entire assembly from the wall outlet.

[Gnashvar]

I usually use a surge protector and a voltage regulator / ups so far no fried electronics even with big lightning storms.

[slowslow325]

So i'm guessing they should both be giving me protection, despite the fact they both failed recently?

Did you leave the window open? Surge protectors won't help if lightning actually strikes your devices.

That made me laugh.

[CRTGAMER]

Scream very loudly.
I would be screaming in very loud words to the power company. Already happened twice, obvious that the transformer station is not set to handle those surges when power reapplied to your home. A dangerous fire hazard precedent, maybe use that for ammunition to recoup your losses. Probably won't help but maybe hopefully the transformer bus station might be inspected by the utility company. The very least expected is an answer back to give a homeowner customer piece of mind.

Surge Suppressor, not just a built in circuit breaker.
A good surge protector with high joules rating will help. Lots of capacitors internally to accumulate the temporary spikes and drops. Hobie pointed out that suppressors wer out. Just like your batteries those internal capacitors anode to cathode do over time deteriorate as well. During outages, shutting off that surge strip or unplugging that expensive baby the best way, but a hassle of crawling behind the HD TV.

AMP Draw dilemma
I had both my refrigerators in different rooms and circuits fry at the same time, ate a lotta ice cream that day. In my situation with the older home, too much amp draw of electrical devices, a strain on 1960 house wiring. Those compressor motors both just cooked with not enough supply. New fridge is now hooked up to one of those "Green Saver" regulators, a line conditioner to reduce the spikes and drops. Actually worked well, internal capacitors have enough reserve stored for when fridge compressor motor first starts. Okay, what I'm leading up to is make sure you are not pulling too many amps from that surge suppressor. More importantly the total amount of electrical devices on not just that one wall socket, but all the outlets on a given circuit breaker. Don't forget that extension cord too, another limiting amp rating factor. Son's PS3 didn't like the regular cheap extension cord.

Do the Math.
Probably may not have helped in this situation, but a preventative measure. If you are bored you could add up the total of a given circuit say for a 15 amp breaker. Doesn't take much to get there, especially with everything turned on. 60 watt light bulb here, fridge, microwave intermittent kicking on, 8 amp drill running in the garage etc.

To convert watt rating of electronics:
Watts divided by Volts = Amps

When your home gets power after an outage, think of all the devices kicking on at the same time.
Now for a real electrifying surge thought, multiply that at the 40 year old transformer bus station.