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Eva888

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#280128 28-Nov-2020 09:42
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I am unhappy with my current surge protected power board because when I plug into some of the outlets there seems to be enough movement so the plug doesn’t quite align inside and only goes in 3/4 of the way as if there is an impediment. Wiggling it makes sparky noises so I’m concerned at its safety now.

I want to buy a new one that has 8 outlets plus at least 2 USB ports and protection. It’s used for TV and electronics.

Saw this one but would welcome any better suggestions.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SURBEL2740632/Belkin-BSV804-8-Outlet-with-2M-Cord-with-2-USB-Por?pg=2#review






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Scott3
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  #2612147 28-Nov-2020 09:49
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I have that one.

 

I don't use the USB ports, but other than the time my child found the switch (which switches every outlet) it works fine. Havn't tested the surge protection :)




richms
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  #2612156 28-Nov-2020 10:28
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I only really buy HPM ones now after all the crap brands have done as you said.I havea couple of jackson ones from bunnings where I needed a long cable, cost a crapload but also seem ok.

 

One thing I have found that kills them is the slightly thinner wonky pins on cheap travel adapters that aliexpress sellers love to send. Seems they will twist more than a proper sized plug and mangle the insides.

 

Never bothered with USB on powerstrips so cant comment, other than running small novelty lamps they're useless for charging so I dont bother.

 

I have some of these https://www.bunnings.co.nz/hpm-surge-protected-12-outlet-powerboard-with-transformer-spacings-white_p0318337- the black version is for some reason more expensive, and many of these https://www.bunnings.co.nz/hpm-8-outlet-surge-protected-powerboard-charcoal_p0264522

 

Only stuffed socket is my fault from snagging a cable plugged into it sideways.

 

Its annoying that all the ones that are physically good have a surge protector built into them, but thankfully the HPM ones dont seem to connect to the earth like earlier ones did so dont cause RCD trips as badly as the older ones.





Richard rich.ms

k1w1k1d
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  #2612419 28-Nov-2020 17:57
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The Belkin has 900 Joules of protection compared to 150 Joules for the HPM ones, so would guess it would give much better protection?




richms
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  #2612422 28-Nov-2020 18:09
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If you believe that any plug in strip like that does anything, then yeah, go for the bigger number sure.





Richard rich.ms

Eva888

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  #2612423 28-Nov-2020 18:10
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Just noticed Mighty Ape have the Belkin for $45.

k1w1k1d
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  #2612425 28-Nov-2020 18:12
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richms:

 

If you believe that any plug in strip like that does anything, then yeah, go for the bigger number sure.

 

 

Please explain. 


richms
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  #2612430 28-Nov-2020 18:19
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k1w1k1d:

 

Please explain. 

 

 

There are not the types or surges that these can arrest that would damage gear if they were not connected in reality.

 

Surges are either lightning, or someone driving into a pole causing a 11000v wire to hit the low voltage ones. These will do nothing to help protect gear with those despite all the happy words about protection. The stories about motors causing things to happen is an artifact of the USAs low voltage split phase supplies, off a small transformer, where you can get bad things happen momentarily on the line as motors on the other phase start up.

 

If you are concerned about surges coming in from the mains to the property, you need protection there, not at each device.





Richard rich.ms

 
 
 
 

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Rikkitic
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  #2612441 28-Nov-2020 18:51
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Lots of cheap power boards have flimsy, loose-fitting connections that don't securely grip the plug. The poor physical connection is the sparking you are hearing. This shouldn't happen and is not a good thing. I don't have patience with this kind of nonsense and I usually take them apart and bend the metal strips with a pair of pliers. If that isn't your thing, it is worth spending the money on a quality replacement.   





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 


Eva888

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  #2612443 28-Nov-2020 18:57
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Thanks all. Went with the Belkin. Will get the black HPM from Bunnings for the kitchen.

neb

neb
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  #2612455 28-Nov-2020 19:48
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richms:

Surges are either lightning, or someone driving into a pole causing a 11000v wire to hit the low voltage ones. These will do nothing to help protect gear with those despite all the happy words about protection. The stories about motors causing things to happen is an artifact of the USAs low voltage split phase supplies, off a small transformer, where you can get bad things happen momentarily on the line as motors on the other phase start up.

 

 

One thing you missed, since the MOV-based "surge protectors" are shunt-based they end up moving the voltage spike, if there ever is one (hint: there isn't), onto the neutral or earth, so can actually make things much, much worse rather than helping.

 

 

Assuming they don't just catch fire and burn your house down, which I guess is also a form of "much, much worse".

 

 

The only reason MOV-based surge protectors aren't in the news a lot more because of all the damage they could cause is because most of the time they don't do anything anyway.

fe31nz
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  #2612507 29-Nov-2020 00:01
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Anything a Harvey Norman sales rep tries to upsell you is usually useless crap.  They always try to sell me a surge protector.


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