N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: steve836 on September 14, 2015, 02:52:19 PM

Title: Surge protectors
Post by: steve836 on September 14, 2015, 02:52:19 PM
My wife has been involved with the Goa forum on trip advisor prior to our excursion and there is some dipute as to whether surge protector extension leads are effective, or even dangerous,so I was wondering if one of our electrical experts could throw some light on the subject.
Title: Re: Surge protectors
Post by: port perran on September 14, 2015, 04:10:07 PM
I'm sure someone better informed than me can advise as to surge protectors.
But, if you are off to Goa enjoy. Fabulous place.
Title: Re: Surge protectors
Post by: PLD on September 15, 2015, 01:19:43 PM
As with most things you get what you pay for...

A decent one will offer some protection, but there are cheap ones out there that are no better than bare cables...

Things to look for are that it has some form of visual indicator that it has tripped, and whether it is a "one hit" protector that stops the surge by some component breaking or burning out, or whether it is resetable and reusable.

Golden rule though is that there should only ever be one surge protector, or circuit breaker type device in the circuit at a time, otherwise they can confuse each other and stop either being effective...
Title: Re: Surge protectors
Post by: DELETED on September 15, 2015, 10:28:30 PM
Usual story, surely don't buy anything electrical in the EU without a CE mark, preferably a kite mark if you can find anything still marked these days.  Must admit when I was in Thailand a good while back we had shocking power, it didn't bother my gear though it was only connected as long as needed and locked away all other times.
Title: Re: Surge protectors
Post by: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 10:31:35 PM
Quote from: RST on September 15, 2015, 10:28:30 PM
Usual story, surely don't buy anything electrical in the EU without a CE mark, preferably a kite mark if you can find anything still marked these days.  Must admit when I was in Thailand a good while back we had shocking power, it didn't bother my gear though it was only connected as long as needed and locked away all other times.
I didn't think you could buy stuff without a CE mark in Europe - legally??
:confused2:
Title: Re: Surge protectors
Post by: DELETED on September 15, 2015, 11:44:34 PM
Quote from: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 10:31:35 PM
Quote from: RST on September 15, 2015, 10:28:30 PM
Usual story, surely don't buy anything electrical in the EU without a CE mark, preferably a kite mark if you can find anything still marked these days.  Must admit when I was in Thailand a good while back we had shocking power, it didn't bother my gear though it was only connected as long as needed and locked away all other times.
I didn't think you could buy stuff without a CE mark in Europe - legally??
:confused2:

Not really, but it's not really a safety mark either, but there isn't a system in place to check either so it's a bit of a joke.  But still, CE mark as a minimum.