Paul's recommendations are promoted just like Geritol. Not
even any numbers nor which type of surges are protected from.
He provides not one science fact. Geritol added decades to
our life expectancy - if we were to believe propaganda.
Paul's total knowledge of surge protection is also based upon
sales brochures and urban myths - and some kind of idea that a
warranty will even be honored.
In this discussion and in another, Paul Murphy does not
demonstrate basic electrical knowledge. Therefore he is
easily deceived by half truths in his Belkin citation. He
even thinks a warranty is scientific proof. Again, how to
identify ineffective protectors - 1) no dedicated connection
to earth ground AND 2) avoids all discussion about earthing.
His Belkin recommendation violates both.
We know what lightning seeks. Earth ground. We know that a
protector is not going to stop, block, or absorb (dissipate
energy as Paul would have us believe) what miles of air could
not.
We know that Ben Franklin demonstrated effective protection
in 1752. He did not try to stop or absorb lightning.
Franklin simply gave lightning an electrically shorter path to
earth. What makes the Franklin air terminal (lightning rod)
effective? Earth ground. How do we make the Franklin air
terminal more effective? Enhance that earth ground.
Same applies to surge protectors. A surge protector is only
as effective as its earth ground. Polyphaser is a benchmark
in surge protection. Those who never learned how surge
protection works (and Paul never even tried to answer that
'how surge protector works' question) typically have never
heard of Polyphaser. But those who know surge protection know
Polyphaser as a Cadillac of protectors. This would probably
be the first time Paul has ever heard of Polyphaser. Their
products are not promoted on retail shelves.
So what does Polyphaser discuss in their legendary
application notes? Their product line? Of course not.
Polyphaser is about effective protection; not about having
Paul promote myths. Polyphaser discusses earthing,
extensively:
http://www.polyphaser.com/ppc_technical.asp
A surge protector is only as effective as its earth ground.
After all, it only does same as Ben Franklin's 1752 air
terminals. Idea is to earth the direct strike before it can
enter a building or can find a destructive path through
household appliances. Those Polyphaser application notes
demonstrate same. An industry professional, Erico,
demonstrates how the most critical component of a surge
protection system must be wired. Even buried wires must
connect to a single point earth ground before entering a
building. Again, more facts from industry professionals:
http://www.erico.com/public/library/fep/technotes/tncr002.pdf
Even the National Institute of Science and Technology
discusses earthing. An example, using an NIST figure,
demonstrates the concept of protecting a fax machine using the
all so important single point earth ground:
http://www.epri-peac.com/tutorials/sol01tut.html
But Paul cannot be bothered to learn any of this. Instead
he cites half truths (propaganda) from color glossy brochures
as if that were science. The brochure does not even provide a
numerical specification. Belkin loves people like Paul who
post urban myths without even knowing basic functions inside a
power supply (the other discussion entitled Power Supply
test). Even in that other discussion, Paul posts personal
insults because he cannot challenge the science.
Paul Murphy was asked this simple question that he cannot
answer. It required basic electrical knowledge:
But you tell me. What happens during a surge - in terms of
voltage and current? What does the adjacent plug-in protector
do during this surge? If you recommend a plug-in protector -
UPS or power strip - then you must be able to answer this
question. Please tell us the details of how the power strip
or UPS protector operates during the transient.
A surge protector is only as effective as its earth ground.
Recommended solutions by Paul Murphy have all but no earth
ground - and do not even claim to protect from the typically
destructive surge. What kind of protection is that?
Ineffective.
A surge protector is only as effective as its earth ground.
No wonder both the Belkin example and Paul Murphy avoid
discussing earth ground. Paul cannot even say what a surge
protector does nor define how it works. It is a surge
protector - therefore it must be surge protection? Where is
the science in word association? Its called junk science
reasoning.
How does an effective protector work? Just like Ben
Franklin demonstrated in 1752 - protector earths before
destructive surges can enter the building. Provided above are
but a few professionals who say same - with supporting
technical facts and numbers.
The original poster is advised to replace the broken power
strip protector with a typical $3 power strip (plug mole) that
includes the 15 amp circuit breaker. Then he is advised to
upgrade his building earth ground to post 1990 NEC
requirements AND install a 'whole house' protector - to
provide transistor safety. These recommendation costs tens of
times less money per protected appliance, is effective,
provides then necessary human safety device (15A CB), and
provides a power switch.
