What to look for in a surge protector before buying one.

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otaku3230

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Recently bought DIY PC and I am undecided on which surge protector to get as I don't have much experience, if any, with which options to look for before buying one. Therefore, please help me out.

I would need one with at least 6 outlets [1 for PC, 2 for 3d monitor, 1 for Stereo System, 1 for 1080p projector, 1 for HDTV).

Also, what main surge protector features I should look for my PC build:

CPU i5-2500k
HD SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB
PSU PC Power and Cooling Silencer 910W
Motherboard ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155
Case Rosewill Smart One
RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB
OS Win7 Pro


I am really hoping someone answers within a single day as I want to get one before my shipment arrives which is this wednesday! So, please do let me know what you got to offer for my question!
 
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Ubrales

Let me try and explain it a little better. An incoming power surge (very rare) will affect all devices connected to the home power circuits. Within a home, the power distribution is done by several individual circuits each with its own circuit breaker. These circuit breakers are primarily for protection against over current as in a short circuit.

Let's say that your computer is on the second floor and you have a refrigerator on the first floor. These are on two separate circuits. However, when the refrigerator turns ON, there will be a brief, small, power sag in the other circuits...
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I have this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882021132

In service for over a year. That really means that I have not had any surges greater than the protection that the surge strip provides.

No type of surge protection will protect against a lightning strike. During thunderstorms, I UNPLUG all my computers and sensitive electronic devices from the wall outlet. I do the same when I go out of town.
 
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That is too expensive for me as my budget is under $20. Have any other suggestions?
 
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1. Also I am wondering that do I really need a surge protector for my PC since my PSU aleady has a OV [over volatage] protection and only want a getting surge protector for only the PC? Also, does OV protection also protects from power surges or is that a diffferent thing?

2. Do you think I also need a surge protect for kitchen appliances [blender, microwave, toaster, slow cooker, electic oven]. I am ONLY asking because if their is a power surge and their is no surge protector connected to these kitchen appliances, will that mistake damage my PC AND MONITOR ONLY in any way [which will be connected to surge protector and different outlets than kitchen appliances]?
 
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1. Look at it this way. You do need a power strip. Most power strips these days come with some sort of surge protection. The one for $14 will perform well in your case.

2. Most homes/apartments do not have surge protectors for kitchen appliances. I don't have them and they are not needed. For kitchen appliances what is required is a GFI circuit breaker built into the wall outlet. Most homes have those in the kitchen, bathrooms, and in the garage.
 
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But if their a power surge or over volatage in my kitchen appliances, it won't damage my PC right, since they are not connected in the same outlet.
 
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Let me try and explain it a little better. An incoming power surge (very rare) will affect all devices connected to the home power circuits. Within a home, the power distribution is done by several individual circuits each with its own circuit breaker. These circuit breakers are primarily for protection against over current as in a short circuit.

Let's say that your computer is on the second floor and you have a refrigerator on the first floor. These are on two separate circuits. However, when the refrigerator turns ON, there will be a brief, small, power sag in the other circuits within the home. You will notice this by a slight dimming (or flicker) of lights; it is very slight. This does not cause any problem to your computer or to any other devices.

Go ahead and get the power strip that I suggested; the $14 item. It will work fine for you.
 
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