Ebay surge protector any good? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 08:01:53 am
content: HiI have a small server room with its own consumer unit.I wanted to have a surge protection device on the consumer unit because our supply tends to surge when first switched on.I was looking around, and ebay ones seem much cheaper then a branded one and been a fairly simple device I wanted if it was worth trying or if should buy a brand name.Any ideas?Ebay:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2P-40-80KA-Din-Rail-Surge-Protection-Over-Voltage-Lightning-Arrester-SPD-Red-/182673367733?_trksid=p2349526.m2548.l4275obo:https://obo-bettermann.com/article/display/en-wo/surge-arrestor-1-pole-npe-7.htmlThanks in advance

author: keymaster
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 07:42:24 pm
content: when you first switch on the load ,you do not see a surge but a dive in voltage .what you see in the ebay link is basically a varistor , and it's use is to clamp excess rise of voltage(not a dive) ,like when a lighting hits the power grid.if you need to keep the voltage steady , you need a voltage stabilizer* .i would not trust ebay for mains power staff or sensitive electronics .*you can find then with other names too .AVR , Voltage regulator .

author: Audioguru
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 09:25:09 pm
content: Cheap means poor quality. Is ebay cheap junk certified to be safe? I doubt it, it might burn down your house.

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 09:58:21 pm
content: Quote from: keymaster on December 11, 2017, 07:42:24 pmThanks for the info. Do you know where I can get them in din rail or mountable form?All I can find is thishttps://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/surge-suppressor-units/3115868/which looks like it comes from the 90s and some desktop apc gear.

author: keymaster
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 10:28:25 pm
content: i don't thing voltage stabilizer is posible to be put in din rail.They are quite big in size ,it depends at the power level you need. but i may be mistaken.

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 01:41:26 am
content: Quote from: keymaster on December 11, 2017, 10:28:25 pmThe one from rs seems to be from a reputable company so I think I'll give it a go

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 01:48:26 am
content: That's not a stabilizer.You really need to determine what the actual problem is before you throw money at random items.

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 10:57:05 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on December 12, 2017, 01:48:26 amYeah but its cuts the supply out if an over or under voltage happens. A stabilizer would cost a lot more though I might still have to go for one.https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/power-conditioners/8484493/

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 02:28:08 pm
content: How is cutting the supply off as soon as you turn it on going to help you?Determine the problem.

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 09:53:17 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on December 12, 2017, 02:28:08 pmLOL It turns it off and waits for it to settle. The problem is a surge as I said. It's a really old industrial supply that comes from the council depot. So we have no control over it at all.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 09:54:27 pm
content: Quote from: abdullahseba on December 12, 2017, 09:53:17 pm..So, you turn the supply on. It 'surges'. It gets turned off. It turns back on. It 'surges'. It gets turned off.What is the 'surge'? Why is the age relevant? What are you turning on and off?Whyare you doing that?

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 10:00:33 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on December 12, 2017, 09:54:27 pm🙄 The supply doesn't surge if turned on locally (i.e the server room). Only when thewholesupply is turned on especially at the depot. I guess its the sheer load been switched on suddenly.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 10:03:11 pm
content: Quote from: abdullahseba on December 12, 2017, 10:00:33 pmYes, roll your eyes while you fill in critical details we don't have.Still don't know what the 'surge' is, why the supply is being turned off to a 'server room'..The solution could be as simple as a time delay.Good luck, have fun.

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 10:09:34 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on December 12, 2017, 10:03:11 pmOh I will.Surge as in voltage spike.As I said we have no control over it so it turns off randomly depending on the council are doing.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 10:32:45 pm
content: It sounds like what you want is a UPS, they will cut over to battery in the event of under or over-voltage situations. Rack mount types are certainly available, we have several of them at work.

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 10:40:10 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on December 12, 2017, 10:32:45 pmWe do. But currently we cant afford one. A UPS is essential in any server environment.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2017, 12:13:32 am
content: Can you find a used one? I've gotten numerous older UPS's for free that were discarded simply because the batteries were worn out.

author: abdullahseba
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2017, 12:48:41 am
content: Quote from: james_s on December 13, 2017, 12:13:32 amHmm that is an idea. Used enterprise gear is one of the most reliable rage of used products.