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In article <1099@wpg.com>, linda@wpg.com (Linda Guidry) writes:
> 
> One of my non-net neighbors has had some *serious* surge problems
> lately and has asked me to post a query to the net requesting advice.
> 
> Given the fact that there are a jillion different surge protectors
> on the market these days, she'd really appreciate some suggestions 
> from electrical engineers and/or knowledgeable consumers concerning 
> the names of the better brands.
> 
> Also, what features should my friend be looking for to protect 
> computers and laser printers?   
> -- 
> Linda Guidry, WP Group, New Orleans (504) 443-5000
> {uunet,killer}!wpg!linda


When looking for a surge protector, consider the following.  To start, the
unit should be listed for safety by UL or another recognized electrical
testing laboratory (such as CSA in Canada).
Listing only determines that the samples submitted for testing met the
applicable specification of the testing laboratory and were free from the
safety/fire hazards covered by that standard.  It does not cover performance
as a surge protector.

Therefore, you should also look for a unit that complies with IEEE (the
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) Standard 587.
IEEE 587A provides a minimum level of surge protection, while IEEE 587B
provides a higher level of protection and would be recommended in high
surge areas.

Also, you want a unit that provides surge protection in 3 places
1 - between the hot and neutral wires
2 - between the hot and ground wires
3 - between the neutral and ground wires
Some cheap units only protect between the hot and neutral wires, leaving
you vulnerable to surges coming in using the ground for one conductor.

Desirable features: Indicator lights to let the user know that the surge
protection is working - some types of surge protection devices will
self-destruct to protect your computer, and have to be replaced after a
major surge.
Also, if you have a modem, you should provide surge protection on the
telephone line as well as the power line.

A basic surge protector will protect against spikes and surges, but will
not protect your computer against RF noise that comes in on the power line.
I would recommend getting a unit that also provides RFI/EMI filtering as
well as surge protection.

Unfortunately, in surge protectors, like everything else, you get what
you pay for - a good surge protector is going to cost around $50 or so,
more if it has other conveniece features like additional outlets, switches
for periphials, phone line protection, etc.

Even the best surge protector/EMI filter won't protect your computer against
blackouts and power dips.  To protect against that you'll need (in addition
to the surge protector/EMI filter) an uninterruptable power supply or UPS.
UPSs aren't cheap - a unit that will run an IBM AT or similar model for
5-10 minutes during a power failure, giving you time to save your work and
do a controlled shutdown of the system, will cost several hundred dollars.

Regards,
Bill Mitchell

Disclaimer - these are strictly my personal opinion and are not necessarily
those of my employer, this VAX, or my dog (but she finds blinking lights on
electronic equipment mildly interesting when she can't beg any munchies off
her owner.)