Re: Soon to arrive my HDTV

w_tom wrote:
> On Mar 25, 8:42 pm, "Dave C." <myaddr...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
 >>
>> In my new installation, I believe I should have a surgesuppressor. 
There
>> are so many of them out there from cheapies to quality ones.  How
should I
>> pick one out that would work well?
> 
For accurate information on surges and surge protection try:
http://www.mikeholt.com/files/PDF/LightningGuide_FINALpublishedversion_May051.pdf
- "How to protect your house and its contents from lightning: IEEE guide 
for surge protection of equipment connected to AC power and 
communication circuits"  published by the IEEE in 2005 (the IEEE is the 
dominant organization of electrical and electronic engineers in the US).
And also:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf
- "NIST recommended practice guide: Surges Happen!: how to protect the 
appliances in your home"  published by the US National Institute of 
Standards and Technology in 2001

The IEEE guide is aimed at those with some technical background. The 
NIST guide is aimed at the unwashed m*****.
 >
>   Every responsible source states that an effective surge protector
> must divert (shunt, connect, clamp, shunt) surges to earth.  Earth is
> where surge energy is dissipated harmlessly.  A protector that does
> not have a short earthing wire is somehow a complete protection
> system?  
> 
w_ has a religious belief (immune from challenge) that surge protection 
must use earthing. Thus in his view plug-in suppressors (which are not 
well earthed) can not possibly work. The IEEE guide explains plug-in 
suppressors work by CLAMPING the voltage on all wires (signal and power) 
to the common ground at the suppressor. Plug-in suppressors do not work 
primarily by earthing (or stopping or absorbing). The guide explains 
earthing occurs elsewhere. (Read the guide starting pdf page 40).

*** Note that all interconnected equipment needs to be connected to the 
same plug-in suppressor, or interconnecting wires need to go through the 
suppressor. External connections, like cable, also need to go through 
the suppressor. Connecting all wiring through the suppressor prevents 
damaging voltages between power and signal wires. These multi****t 
suppressors are described in both guides.

According to NIST guide, US insurance information indicates equipment 
most frequently damaged by lightning is
     computers with a modem connection
     TVs, VCRs and similar equipment  (presumably with cable TV 
connections).
  All can be damaged by high voltages between power and signal wires.
The 2 examples of surge protection in the IEEE guide are for TV/related 
equipment with cable connection, and a computer with phone connection. 
(Both use a multi****t plug-in suppressor.)
> 
>   Cable companies are now reinstalling cable to make that earthing
> connection. Telephone has always had a 'whole house' protector that
> must connect to an earth ground required since 1990 by the National
> Electrical Code.
 >
For maximum effectiveness entry protectors for phone and cable must 
connect with a *short* ‘ground’ wire to the earthing wire at the power 
service. Else high voltages can develop between power and signal wires. 
An example of the effect of a ‘ground’ wire that is too long is in the 
IEEE guide starting pdf page 40.  10 feet is too long for phone.
 >
>  But you must install the AC 'whole house' protector
> so that destructive surges do not seek earth ground destructively via
> the TV.
 >
A service panel suppressor is a real good idea.

 From the NIST guide:
"Q - Will a surge protector installed at the service entrance be 
sufficient for the whole house?
A - There are two answers to than question: Yes for one-link appliances 
[electronic equipment], No for two-link appliances [equipment connected 
to power and signal]. Since most homes today have some kind of two-link 
appliances, the prudent answer to the question would be NO - but that 
does not mean that a surge protector installed at the service entrance 
is useless."
> 
>   Take a $3 power strip.  Add some ten cent parts.  Sell it for $25 or
> $150 as a power strip protector.
 >
I recently bought a major brand plug-in suppressor with ratings of 590J 
and 30,000A per MOV, 1770J and 90,000A total.  Provide a source for a 
30,000A/590J MOV for $0.10.

The suppressor was about $25. High ratings are available for relatively 
low cost.

Note that a 30,000A surge is probably not possible even at the panel. 
And the impedance of branch circuit wiring greatly limits the current, 
and thus the energy, that can reach a plug-in suppressor. The 30,000A 
rating just goes along with the 590 Joule rating. With high ratings a 
suppressor is not likely to ever fail, which is why some devices have 
warranties and connected equipment warranties.
 >
> Surge protection is earth ground. 
 >
The required statement of religious belief in earthing.

Everyone is for earthing. The only question is whether plug-in 
suppressors are effective. Both the IEEE and NIST guides say they are.

-- 
bud--