Surge filter for home. Choosing a reliable surge protector

The stability of the current electrical network leaves much to be desired. Due to wear and tear of equipment at substations, poor quality electrical wiring, and frequent switching on of household appliances that consume high power, voltage drops are common.

Soviet-era technology was much more resistant to this than modern technology. Nowadays, its design often contains complex electronics with high sensitivity.

To ensure its stable operation, it is recommended to use surge protectors. This article will tell you what they are, how they operate, what types there are, and how to choose the right model for you.

Design and principle of operation

In appearance, it is practically no different from a regular extension cord. You can verify this by looking at photos of surge protectors. The main feature is the presence of a stabilizing unit and one or more switches. If any interference or surges occur in the network in this block, they are smoothed out.

A special circuit absorbs excess voltage and normalizes the current frequency. In the event of a sudden surge, the fuse trips, stopping the flow of electricity. This prevents damage to equipment connected to the filter.


Let's consider a surge protector device. Its circuit contains varistors, a balancing choke, a thermal fuse and inductors with cores. The latter are used to suppress interference high frequency. Their operating principle is based on the ability to sharply increase resistance when a current with a short sinusoid period passes through them.

Inductors are installed on the neutral and phase conductors. Low-frequency interference is suppressed either by its active resistance or by individual resistors, also located in series with the load.

A varistor is required to suppress short-term impulse noise. At low voltage it has enormous resistance and therefore does not allow electricity to pass through.

If the voltage rises to a certain value, the resistance of the varistor begins to decrease. Connected in parallel in the circuit, it takes on part of the load while its increased impact lasts.

Filters labeled LC are considered the most effective. Their circuit contains a capacitor with a capacity of up to 1 μF with a rated voltage equal to twice the mains voltage. This is done to make it possible to take into account any difference.

What varieties are there?

Depending on the level of security provided, network filters are divided into the following types:

Essential. Provides basic security capabilities. Suitable for simple household appliances.

Home/Office. Universal devices with an optimal combination of price and quality. Can be used with most household appliances.


Performance. Professional equipment for complex electronic devices, extremely sensitive to the slightest changes. Provides maximum protection, but is much more expensive.

The difference between the presented types can be assessed, for example, by the ability to smooth out bursts of energy. If for a regular filter it does not exceed 960 J, then for a professional one it is 2500 and higher.

However, you need to remember that the characteristics stated in the instructions for the selected model will only be achieved when used in sockets with grounding. In networks where it is not provided, the efficiency of these devices is somewhat reduced.


To choose the right surge protector, pay attention to the following:

The ratio of the number of sockets and the ability to withstand high loads. Cheap devices may be able to connect many devices, but are not designed for them at all. It is necessary to plan in advance what will be connected to this filter, sum up the power and compare it with that indicated in the technical data sheet.

It is advisable to have a small margin - about a third of the rated load. In this case, the filter will work smoothly and reliably.

Distance between sockets. It should be large enough to accommodate any adapter.

Length of cable. Choose one sufficient for comfortable use. Too long here is also undesirable - the efficiency of the device will decrease.

Plug contacts. In models from bona fide manufacturers, they are made of high-quality non-ferrous metal. This is checked using a magnet. Cheap metal will often overheat, which can lead to damage to the case and burning of contacts.

Number of switches on the surge protector. It can be in a single copy or separate for each outlet. In the second case, the advantage is the ability to control the power supply to each individual device.

And of course, remember that even the best filter will not help during a power outage. To protect equipment from this, this device must be combined with a source uninterruptible power supply UPS.

Review of popular models

Let's look at the best surge protectors offered by manufacturers. The first of them is Buro BU-SP5 USB 2A-W. It has an organic appearance, takes up little space, and is relatively inexpensive. The average cost is 790 rubles. The case is white, equipped with 6 European sockets and 2 USB ports that allow you to charge mobile devices. The wire is 5 meters long, the maximum power is no more than 2.2 kW.

The ideal filter for connecting a computer is Pilot X-PRO. The length of the wire, depending on the model, varies from 1.8 to 7 meters. There are 5 euro sockets and one old style. Has original appearance, reminiscent of a spacecraft in the best traditions of science fiction.


A special advantage is the presence of the Master Control function, which allows you to supply voltage to other consumers after turning on the main one. For example, a modem, printer and monitor can only turn on after the system unit starts. average price 1980 rubles.

The APC PMF83VT-RS is perfect for an LCD TV. Has connectors for connecting television and telephone cables. Provides faster data transfer rates while effectively suppressing RF noise and electromagnetic interference.

8 sockets are located at a distance from each other, which allows you to connect any power supply. Cord length – 3 meters. Equipped with light indicators indicating the absence of protection. Price – 3630 rubles.

A properly selected surge protector will significantly extend the life of often expensive household appliances. You shouldn’t skimp on this - it’s better to pay now than to incur much higher repair costs later.

Photos of network filters



Extension cords are used to connect various devices. This is especially true for equipment that is located in hard-to-reach places. Let's take a closer look at a modern surge protector; it will be discussed in more detail later in the article.

Concept

Network filter- a device that suppresses high-frequency interference and equalizes voltage surges. It may have three-phase sockets (380 V) for connecting powerful devices. The device protects electrical networks, as well as network, telephone and television lines.

The filter is used to protect computers, TVs, tablets, laptops, and routers. It is not used for irons, microwaves, or heaters. There are several types of surge protector:

  1. Network extension filter. This option is optimal as it includes the functions of 2 devices. The disadvantages include bulkiness and high cost compared to a standard extension cord.
  2. Filter in the socket. It does not have a cable; it is installed directly into the outlet. This device is compact, making it ideal for travel.
  3. Reel filter. This device is equipped with a cable on a reel, hidden in the body of the device. This is necessary to adjust the length of the cord depending on the situation. But due to the coil, the weight and dimensions increase. The filter has a long cable and is used in professional work.

Purpose

A network extender can be:

  1. Bytovym. It has compact dimensions, a small number of sockets and a short cable.
  2. Office. It has many outlets and a long cord, making it bulky.
  3. Professional. It has a long cable and additional three-phase outlets.

A network extender for a computer is indispensable, as it ensures uninterrupted operation of the equipment. With the help of this device, the equipment will function safely.

Input plug

The power strip may have different plugs:

  1. "Euro". The plug includes 2 contacts and is considered the most popular option.
  2. "Eurocompact". The flat plug has 2 contacts. This outlet takes up little space.
  3. UPS. The plug has 3 contacts. The plug does not fit into household sockets. Therefore, you should choose a filter with a UPS connector only when connecting a UPS to it.

Switch

A power strip with a switch is convenient option, since turning it on/off is more convenient than doing it from a power outlet. The switch is:

  1. General. All sockets are turned on with it.
  2. Individual. It turns on a specific outlet.
  3. Remote control. This function allows you to turn sockets on and off from a distance.

Length of cable

Common extension cords include length 1.2; 1.5; 1.8; 3; 4; 5 m. There are devices with a length of 10 m. There is no point in buying models with a very short cord - then it is advisable to use a tee or a filter in the outlet.

If the cable is long, the device may be further from the outlet. But too much length complicates the use and transportation of the device. Therefore, you need to choose an extension cord for a specific situation.

Number of sockets

The number of sockets can be between 1-8 pieces. As this parameter increases, the number of devices that can work with the device increases. When purchasing an extension cord, you need to consider the number of types of equipment that are commonly used.

For a PC, you need to choose a filter with 5 sockets or more, because you will need to connect a power supply, monitor, speakers, printer, scanner or router. Extension cords are available with or without grounding. Some require grounding, others do not. This detail should be found in the instructions for the device.

Power

This indicator means the maximum power of the devices at which the filter operates without overload and overheating. The more outlets, the higher the power of the extension cord. To make the right choice, you need to increase the power of the devices and add 20-30% of the reserve. This indicator is indicated in the instructions.

Power is:

  1. Active (W, watt). For devices with active load. Such filters are used for televisions.
  2. Total (VA, volt-ampere). For equipment with capacitors and inductors. Extension cords are chosen for power tools and refrigerators.

Protection

Network filters are divided by protection level:

  1. Basic. Budget filter for inexpensive equipment.
  2. Advanced. The filter is universal and affordable.
  3. Professional. The extension cord is used for expensive and sensitive equipment.

Equipment

A network extension cable with a USB port is used to connect devices, such as phones, tablets. It turns out that you can work with devices, charge their batteries, without occupying an outlet. Some extension cords have telephone jacks that are used to connect to a surge protector. telephone line communications.

Most filters are equipped with operation indicators - light bulbs. They indicate whether the extension cord is turned on. Useful feature is the presence of protective curtains that protect sockets from the penetration of dust and foreign objects.

It is necessary to buy only high-quality filters with a guarantee. It is desirable that its term be 5 years. You should not choose a filter with contacts made of cheap metals; they overheat and cause the housing to ignite. High-quality devices are created from non-ferrous metals. The extension cord housing must be fireproof. A suitable extension cord extends the life of the equipment.

When purchasing a flash drive, many people ask the question: “how to choose the right flash drive.” Of course, choosing a flash drive is not so difficult if you know exactly for what purpose it is being purchased. In this article I will try to give a complete answer to the question posed. I decided to write only about what to look for when buying.

A flash drive (USB drive) is a drive designed for storing and transferring information. The flash drive works very simply without batteries. You just need to connect it to USB port at your PC.

1. Flash drive interface

On this moment There are 2 interfaces: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. If you decide to buy a flash drive, then I recommend taking a flash drive with a USB 3.0 interface. This interface was made recently, it main feature is high speed data transmission. We'll talk about speeds a little lower.


This is one of the main parameters that you need to look at first. Now flash drives from 1 GB to 256 GB are sold. The cost of a flash drive will directly depend on the amount of memory. Here you need to immediately decide for what purpose you are buying a flash drive. If you are going to store text documents on it, then 1 GB is enough. For downloading and transferring movies, music, photos, etc. you need to take the more, the better. Today, the most popular flash drives are from 8GB to 16GB.

3. Housing material



The body can be made of plastic, glass, wood, metal, etc. Most flash drives are made of plastic. I can’t give any advice here; it all depends on the buyer’s preferences.

4. Data transfer rate

Earlier I wrote that there are two standards: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Now I will explain how they differ. The USB 2.0 standard has read speeds of up to 18 Mbit/s and write speeds of up to 10 Mbit/s. The USB 3.0 standard has a read speed of 20-70 Mbit/s, and a write speed of 15-70 Mbit/s. Here, I think, there is no need to explain anything.





Nowadays you can find flash drives of different shapes and sizes in stores. They can be in the form of jewelry, fancy animals, etc. Here I would advise taking flash drives that have a protective cap.

6. Password protection

There are flash drives that have a password protection feature. Such protection is carried out using a program that is located in the flash drive itself. The password can be set both on the entire flash drive and on part of the data in it. Such a flash drive will primarily be useful to people who transfer corporate information to it. According to the manufacturers, if you lose it, you don’t have to worry about your data. Not so simple. If such a flash drive falls into the hands of an understanding person, then hacking it is just a matter of time.



These flash drives look very beautiful, but I would not recommend buying them. Because they are very fragile and often break in half. But if you are a neat person, then feel free to take it.

Conclusion

As you noticed, there are many nuances. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. In my opinion, the most important parameters when choosing are: the standard of the flash drive, the capacity and speed of writing and reading. And everything else: design, material, options - this is just everyone’s personal choice.

Good afternoon, my dear friends. In today's article I want to talk about how to choose the right mouse pad. When buying a rug, many people do not attach any importance to this. But as it turned out, this point needs to be given special attention, because... The mat determines one of the indicators of comfort while working at a PC. For an avid gamer, choosing a rug is a completely different story. Let's look at what types of mouse pads have been invented today.

Mat options

1. Aluminum
2. Glass
3. Plastic
4. Rubberized
5. Double sided
6. Helium

And now I would like to talk about each type in more detail.

1. First I want to consider three options at once: plastic, aluminum and glass. These rugs are very popular among gamers. For example, plastic mats are easier to find on sale. The mouse glides quickly and accurately on these mats. And most importantly, these mouse pads are suitable for both laser and optical mice. Aluminum and glass mats will be a little harder to find. Yes, and they will cost a lot. True, there is a reason for this - they will serve for a very long time. These types of rugs have minor flaws. Many people say that they rustle when operating and are a little cool to the touch, which may cause discomfort for some users.


2. Rubberized (rag) mats have soft sliding, but the accuracy of their movements is worse. For ordinary users, such a mat will be just right. And they are much cheaper than the previous ones.


3. Double-sided mouse pads, in my opinion, are a very interesting type of mouse pad. As the name suggests, these rugs have two sides. Typically, one side is high-speed and the other is high-precision. It happens that each side is designed for a specific game.


4. Helium mats have a silicone cushion. She supposedly supports the hand and relieves tension from it. For me personally, they turned out to be the most inconvenient. According to their intended purpose, they are designed for office workers, because they sit at the computer all day long. These mats are not suitable for casual users and gamers. The mouse glides very poorly on the surface of such mouse pads, and their accuracy is not the best.

Mat sizes

There are three types of rugs: large, medium and small. Here everything primarily depends on the taste of the user. But as is commonly believed, large rugs are good for games. Small and medium ones are taken mainly for work.

Rugs design

In this regard, there are no restrictions. It all depends on what you want to see on your rug. Fortunately, now they don’t draw anything on rugs. The most popular are the logos of computer games, such as Dota, Warcraft, Line, etc. But if it happened that you couldn’t find a rug with the pattern you wanted, don’t be upset. Now you can order a print on a rug. But such mats have a disadvantage: when printing is applied to the surface of the mat, its properties deteriorate. Design in exchange for quality.

This is where I want to end the article. On my own behalf I wish to make you right choice and be happy with it.
For anyone who doesn’t have a mouse or wants to replace it with another one, I advise you to look at the article:.

Microsoft's all-in-one PCs have been replenished new model all-in-one PC called Surface Studio. Microsoft recently presented its new product at an exhibition in New York.


On a note! I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago where I reviewed the Surface all-in-one. This candy bar was presented earlier. To view the article, click on.

Design

Microsoft calls its new product the world's thinnest candy bar. Weighing 9.56 kg, the thickness of the display is only 12.5 mm, the remaining dimensions are 637.35x438.9 mm. The display dimensions are 28 inches with a resolution greater than 4K (4500x3000 pixels), aspect ratio 3:2.


On a note! The display resolution of 4500x3000 pixels corresponds to 13.5 million pixels. This is 63% more than 4K resolution.

The all-in-one display itself is touch-sensitive, housed in an aluminum case. On such a display it is very convenient to draw with a stylus, which ultimately opens up new possibilities for using a candy bar. In my opinion, this candy bar model will appeal to creative people (photographers, designers, etc.).


On a note! For people in creative professions, I advise you to look at the article where I reviewed all-in-one computers with similar functionality. Click on the highlighted one: .

To everything written above, I would add that the main feature of the candy bar will be its ability to instantly turn into a tablet with a huge working surface.


On a note! By the way, Microsoft has another amazing candy bar. To find out about it, go to.

Specifications

I will present the characteristics in the form of a photograph.


From the periphery, I note the following: 4 USB ports, Mini-Display Port connector, Ethernet network port, card-reader, 3.5 mm audio jack, 1080p webcam, 2 microphones, 2.1 Dolby Audio Premium audio system, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. The candy bar also supports Xbox wireless controllers.





Price

When purchasing an all-in-one PC, Windows 10 Creators Update will be installed on it. This system should be released in spring 2017. This operating system will have updated Paint, Office, etc. The price for an all-in-one PC will be from $3,000.
Dear friends, write in the comments what you think about this candy bar, ask questions. I'll be glad to chat!

OCZ demonstrated the new VX 500 SSD drives. These drives will be equipped with a Serial ATA 3.0 interface and are made in a 2.5-inch form factor.


On a note! Anyone interested in how SSD drives work and how long they last can read in an article I wrote earlier:.
The new products are made using 15-nanometer technology and will be equipped with Tochiba MLC NAND flash memory microchips. The controller in the SSD drives will be Tochiba TC 35 8790.
The lineup VX 500 drives will consist of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 550 MB/s (this is for all drives in this series), but the write speed will be from 485 MB/s to 512 MB/s.


The number of input/output operations per second (IOPS) with data blocks of 4 KB in size can reach 92,000 when reading, and 65,000 when writing (this is all at random).
The thickness of OCZ VX 500 drives will be 7 mm. This will allow them to be used in ultrabooks.




The prices of the new products will be as follows: 128 GB - $64, 256 GB - $93, 512 GB - $153, 1 TB - $337. I think in Russia they will cost more.

Lenovo presented its new gaming all-in-one IdeaCentre Y910 at Gamescom 2016.


On a note! Previously, I wrote an article where I already reviewed gaming monoblocks from different manufacturers. This article can be viewed by clicking on this one.


The new product from Lenovo received a frameless display measuring 27 inches. The display resolution is 2560x1440 pixels (this is QHD format), the refresh rate is 144 Hz, and the response time is 5 ms.


The monoblock will have several configurations. The maximum configuration includes a 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor, volume hard drive up to 2 TB or 256 GB. Volume random access memory equal to 32 GB DDR4. The graphics will be provided by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce GTX 1080 video card with Pascal architecture. Thanks to such a video card, it will be possible to connect a virtual reality helmet to the candy bar.
From the periphery of the candy bar, I would highlight the Harmon Kardon audio system with 5-watt speakers, the Killer DoubleShot Pro Wi-Fi module, a webcam, USB ports 2.0 and 3.0, HDMI connectors.


In its basic version, the IdeaCentre Y910 monoblock will go on sale in September 2016 at a price of 1,800 euros. But the candy bar with the “VR-ready” version will appear in October at a price of 2,200 euros. It is known that this version will have a GeForce GTX 1070 video card.

MediaTek has decided to upgrade its Helio X30 mobile processor. So now the developers from MediaTek are designing a new mobile processor called Helio X35.


I would like to briefly talk about Helio X30. This processor has 10 cores, which are combined into 3 clusters. Helio X30 has 3 variations. The first - the most powerful - consists of Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.8 GHz. There are also blocks with Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz and Cortex-A35 with a frequency of 2.0 GHz.


The new Helio X35 processor also has 10 cores and is created using 10-nanometer technology. The clock frequency in this processor will be much higher than that of its predecessor and ranges from 3.0 Hz. The new product will allow you to use up to 8 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. The graphics in the processor will most likely be handled by the Power VR 7XT controller.
The station itself can be seen in the photographs in the article. In them we can see storage compartments. One bay has a 3.5" jack and the other has a 2.5" jack. Thus, it will be possible to connect both a solid-state drive (SSD) and a hard drive (HDD) to the new station.


The dimensions of the Drive Dock station are 160x150x85mm, and the weight is no less than 970 grams.
Many people probably have a question about how the Drive Dock connects to a computer. I answer: this happens through the USB port 3.1 Gen 1. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 434 MB/s, and in write mode (sequential) 406 MB/s. The new product will be compatible with Windows and Mac OS.


This device will be very useful for people who work with photo and video materials at a professional level. Drive Dock can also be used for backups files.
The price for the new device will be acceptable - it is $90.

On a note! Previously, Renduchinthala worked for Qualcomm. And since November 2015, he moved to a competing company, Intel.


In his interview, Renduchintala did not talk about mobile processors, but only said the following, I quote: “I prefer to talk less and do more.”
Thus, the Intel top manager created great intrigue with his interview. We can only wait for new announcements in the future.

Almost every apartment today has a refrigerator, microwave, TV, washing machine and other expensive equipment that is constantly connected to the network.

And if a person does not notice voltage drops, then the equipment reacts to it quite sharply, and in some cases it may even fail. To prevent this, surge protectors are used.

  1. Surge protection. They occur when turning equipment on and off, for example, a hammer drill or washing machine in the next apartment.
  2. Protection against voltage surges. They are short-term, formed as a result of lightning strikes or improper grounding.
  3. Noise interference protection. This is radio frequency and electromagnetic interference that is generated from nearby household appliances and radio stations.

Many people, when purchasing a laptop, all-in-one computer or desktop computer, do not forget to purchase pilot filter, and do the right thing. Expensive equipment can break down as a result of network surges, so it must be protected from breakage.

When choosing a filter to protect your laptop and computer, you need to look at such primary points as:

  • number of sockets,
  • wire length,
  • presence of a power button and indicator light.

The standard length is 180 cm, but if you wish, you can look for models with a cord of 3 and 5 m. The longer the cord, the more practical it is to use, and in the office it will be more convenient to have a short cord so that it does not get tangled under your feet.

If the length of the wire turns out to be shorter than what the manufacturer stated, the other qualities of the device may also be questioned, and it is better to refuse to purchase this device.

Of course, the device must be powerful, that is, it must be enough for all the devices that you plan to connect to it.

It will be convenient to have an off and on button so that you don’t have to unplug the cord from the outlet every time, especially if it is located in a hard-to-reach place. The light will indicate whether the device is turned on or not.

There should be enough sockets for all devices: router, printer, monitor, scanner, so that you don’t have to purchase additional extension cords that do not serve as a surge protector. Also check the distance between the sockets - it should be enough to conveniently connect several devices at once.

A mount for wires is also useful; it will be useful if there are a lot of wires and you don’t want them to get tangled. This “item” is optional, but will be convenient to use.

It is worth keeping in mind that not a single surge protector will provide full protection computer from network surges. Only an uninterruptible power supply or voltage stabilizer can cope with such a task.

It is important to pay attention to such characteristics as the maximum current - this indicator must be at least 10 A, as well as the energy of the surge - in expensive filters it can reach several thousand J.

If you have children, it is worth purchasing models with special curtains.

Also, if you plan to mount the device to the wall, immediately purchase a filter with such a mount.

Make sure the filter has a sufficient warranty period. Reliable manufacturers usually provide a guarantee for their products for up to 5 years.

You should not buy cheap devices of dubious manufacture. It’s better to spend money once and buy a high-quality, reliable filter.

VIDEO INSTRUCTION

If you have a laptop

As for laptops, they are equipped rechargeable batteries, which are able to partially smooth out voltage surges. But even if you have a battery, it is recommended to purchase a surge protector, since batteries can behave unpredictably.

They especially do not like it when they are not turned off from the network and at the same time turn off the laptop. If you forget or don't want to unplug the plug from the socket every time, use a surge protector.

In order for the surge protector to work properly, no other devices, such as an iron or kettle, should be connected to the device. The outlet must also be grounded. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in older houses.

Do you need a surge protector for your TV?

The question of whether to install a filter for a TV is quite controversial among experts. Many people believe that if the electricity in your home is not turned off, then you can do without this device. But are there many such houses in our country?

After all, even in the capital, power outages are not uncommon. And this means that about buying network noise filter worth taking care. Uninterruptible power supply will help extend the service life of equipment when turned off and on for an hour.

An inexpensive 250-watt model will be enough to install at home. It is enough for stable operation of a regular 130 Watt TV, taking into account the router and receiver.

The cost of such a device will fluctuate around two thousand rubles, which is much cheaper than repairing equipment in the event of a breakdown. If there are regular problems with electricity in the house, it is worth purchasing a powerful uninterruptible power supply that can work for a long time.

For LCD TVs, it is recommended to install stabilizers selected for the voltage of your particular outlet. As a rule, conventional surge protectors are not able to protect expensive LCD TVs from damage; only stabilizers can do this.

When purchasing computer equipment, experts often advise purchasing surge protectors. But since the range of these devices is quite wide, as is the price range for them, it is very important to understand what their key properties are and how the models differ from each other. Let's try to figure this out.

Why are surge protectors needed?

Surge filters are a technique absolutely necessary to ensure the stable operation of complex electronic devices. If you look at the label located on the computer power supply, next to the printer or monitor power cord, you can find the input voltage specifications on it. As a rule, the manufacturer indicates values ​​of the order of 220-230 V at a frequency of 50-60 Hz. Why is the range indicated if the nominal voltage in the electrical network is 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz? Because real power supply parameters differ from the reference ones provided by GOST. Power plants supply a huge number of electricity consumers, resulting in every connection/disconnection heavy loads(for example, the production capacity of a factory located near your home) can cause voltage surges both up, say, up to 250 V, and down, for example, up to 200 V. If electrical equipment fails at the substation itself, the voltage frequency can change, which is no less destructive for sensitive computer equipment.

Surge protectors are a way to avoid damage to equipment due to interference in the electrical network. Such devices are designed to smooth out interference before applying voltage to the computer. The filters have built-in circuitry that absorbs surges and frequency distortion, and for larger disturbances they have a fuse that turns off the filter altogether. All this is very important, because in the event of minor power supply distortions, the equipment will make mistakes and wear out faster, and if there is serious interference, it may fail.

Basic properties of network filters

Although network filters are based on a fairly simple compensation scheme, they nevertheless have a number of differences that explain the difference in price and capabilities.

The first thing that distinguishes surge protectors is the number of sockets for connecting equipment. The more outlets, the more devices you can connect - computer, monitor, printer, stereo system, Charger for the phone, and who knows what else. Therefore, today filters are produced with a number of sockets from one to eight.

Please remember that the connection to the filter large quantity equipment may turn off all devices in case of overload. And this is explained by the presence of a second parameter - maximum load (measured in kW or VA).

Third is the ability to protect the telephone line. Due to constant changes in the load on the general telephone network, the voltage in the telephone line may also change and be distorted. Some filters provide a circuit to smooth out these distortions for the telephone line, which allows for uninterrupted operation of the modem or fax.

In addition, surge protectors are characterized by their ability to filter interference in a computer network. The latter occur when using too long cables between network devices or if the quality of the devices themselves is poor. If network hubs are used in a building with unstable power supply without filters, power surges in the computer network also become more likely.

Line filters also have a maximum absorbed surge surge. This parameter is measured in joules (J), and the higher it is, the more serious short-term deviations in power supply parameters the filter can compensate for.

You can also pay attention to the length of the wire (a surge protector often functions as an extension cord, allowing you to connect all computer peripherals).

Which surge protector model to choose



Having dealt with the basic parameters, let’s move on to getting acquainted with specific models and choose the one that is most suitable for your computer complete with the equipment connected to it.

In a standard home computer installation ( system unit, monitor, stereo system, printer plus one spare socket) you can use the model APC Essential SurgeArrest P5B-RS. The device is equipped with a 1.8 m cable, as well as five sockets for connecting electronic equipment with grounding. The filter is capable of absorbing energy emissions up to 960 J and uses a load with a total power of up to 2.2 kW. The device is turned on by an automatic fuse, which ensures that all equipment is turned off when the consumed current exceeds 10 A.

If you use an ADSL modem or landline fax with your computer, then a surge protector may be suitable for you APC Essential SurgeArrest P5BT-RS with Phone Protection. It has the same characteristics as the previous model - five sockets, power 2.2 kW, 10 A fuse, absorption of energy surges up to 960 J, cable 1.8 m. It is distinguished by the presence of two connectors for connecting a telephone line to one of which is connected to the cable from the telephone socket, and to the second - directly to the modem or fax. Such a filter will not only protect your equipment, but also make your ADSL Internet connection more stable.

The model is equipped with sockets for coaxial cable APC Essential SurgeArrest P5BV-RS with Phone Coax Protection. This allows you to protect your cable modem or any video equipment from voltage surges, for example, if you use a centralized antenna or are connected to cable TV. If your electrical network experiences overall voltage instability, this measure can be very useful, as it extends the life of the equipment itself and improves the signal quality by filtering out interference.


APC SurgeArrest APC-PH6T3-RS

Six sockets and the ability to absorb energy surges up to 2030 J are equipped with a surge protector APC SurgeArrest APC-PH6T3-RS. It has a long cable (2.5 m), which means you can connect computer equipment even if it is located quite far from the outlet. The power characteristics of the device are the same - up to 2.2 kW load at a current of no more than 10 A. Interesting feature The filter is a branch of the telephone line. That is, it allows you to connect a telephone cable from a socket, dividing it into two protected lines, for example, to connect cordless phone, fax and/or ADSL modem.

If you use a lot of equipment, select a filter APC SurgeArrest PF8VNT3-RS. It has eight power outlets to which you can connect equipment with a power of up to 2.3 kW. The fuse installed in the system is the same - it turns off when the current exceeds 10 A. The filter is equipped with a 3 m long cable, as well as connectors for protecting a telephone line with a branch, protecting a network card from power surges in a computer network and protecting video equipment, which is very important, if you're watching cable TV via TV tuner. The filter absorbs energy bursts up to 2525 J.

There is a version of the filter for six sockets - APC SurgeArrest PH6 VT3-RS. It absorbs surges up to 2030 J, supports loads up to 2.2 kW, turns off when the current exceeds 10 A and can (like the more expensive 8-socket model) protect a modem, network card and video equipment from surges.

APC SurgeArrest PH6 VT3-RS

For those cases when you only need to protect your computer's network card, say, if you already have a good filter or even an uninterruptible power supply, you can purchase APC 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet protection. This device operates without active power and is simply inserted into the cable gap between the socket and network card. The system is equipped with a grounding cable, which must be connected to the grounding of a power outlet or surge protector, which allows voltage surges in the computer network to be taken to ground. This filter is also used when operating in a PoE (Power over Ethernet) network, when power is supplied via twisted pair cable.

By the way, there are complex filters without a large number of sockets. So, for direct connection to an outlet it is intended APC SurgeArrest P1-RS, protecting against power surges. It is convenient to use to connect an existing extension cord. It absorbs up to 960 J of energy during bursts, without having equipment power limitations. The fuse is disconnected when the current exceeds 16 A.


APC SurgeArrest P1T-RS

And here is the model APC SurgeArrest P1T-RS additionally capable of protecting the telephone line from power surges.

Interesting model filter with a two-meter cable - MOST EH 2. It has five sockets with individual switches, which allows you to turn off some equipment without removing the plugs from the sockets. The filter allows you to connect devices with a power of up to 2.2 kW and has an automatic fuse that turns off at a current of 10A. The ability to absorb voltage surges is limited to 440 J.

A similar filter model with a longer (5 m) wire is MOST EH 5.

A feature of the MOST technology is the complete disconnection of both network wires in the event of an overload or a strong surge. In this case, the filter not only disconnects from the network, but also signals with a light bulb that there is increased voltage in the network.


Conclusion

When choosing a surge protector, it is important to correctly assess your needs. Count how much equipment is connected to the filter. Check to see if there is interference on your telephone line. Are you using a home network connection? And finally, do you want to be able to individually turn off the sockets? Answering these questions will help you choose the filter that suits you best.