Surge protection for amps?

@westom shows up again and talks bs about numbers and circuits he doesn’t understand. I think this time he’s switching current and volts.

MOV’s / Shunt type surge protectors are most cost effective at the panels. Noise dampening can also do a lot at the panel itself. I would not rely on this alone for precious audio equipment due to ability of a strike to induce voltage in the lines. A series mode whole-house protector at the service would be huge and expensive.

Series mode protection is best near the devices themselves, and it does not degrade and there is no current flow by design.

When I had access to my service panel I used this kind of dual approach myself. Given a choice of only one, I'd go with the series mode approach.

Best,

E

If a surge (ie 20,000 amps) connects harmlessly low impedance to earth, well, an IEEE Standard defines that as 99.5% to 99.9% protection. Only then can a plug-in (ie series mode) protector do something useful - add maybe 0.2% additional protection.

Surges are defined by the independent variable: current; not by a dependent variable: volts. One must know that before making even subjective recommendations.

Series mode protection is for one type of surge. And literally connects a surge directly into attach appliance once it has absorbed it maximum energy - typically 600 joules. Series mode protectors are hyped without numbers (ie a near zero 600 joules). Also ignored: another wire connects a surge directly into electronics - bypassing a series mode protector that cannot do anything about it.

Electronics already have protection superior to tiny protection provided by a series mode protector. Even simple numbers (that are ignored to promote a tens or hundred times more expensive solution) make it obvious. Proven protection is defined by an answer to a simple question: where do hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly dissipate.

How does its 600 joules absorb a surge that is hundreds of thousands of joules? Series mode protector promoted again by one who constantly ignores and never provides relevant numbers.  Including current, joules and an IEEE number: 99.5% of the protection.

Series mode filters are for a completely different anomaly - noise.

I just bought the Shunyata Research's Venom package; 20,000 amp protection +power conditioning.  It's a 4 piece package retailimg for $995.00

Google Shunyata!

Even though minimal and effective protect is 50,000 amps and costs about $1 per protected appliance.  Even though Shunyata Resarch spec numbers do not even claim to protect from potentially destructive surges.

I use the PS Audio P600 which provides protection and regenerates the power to my components. I have a friend who has the PS Audio P10 which is a later reincarnation and has many more bells and whistles if you want a more sophisticated power regenerator. If you have not tried a power regenerator I highly recommend you compare it to your power conditioner. Yes, the power regenerators are more costly but the sound impact is worthwhile.