Need Advise For The Purchase Of A Surge Protector

[GlennG]

I am in the market for a new surge protector, it doesn't matter the cost, I need something that will guarantee the protection of my equipment. If anyone has knowledge please give me some advise.
Thanks

[David Meek]

I don't have one of theirs myself, but Brickwall seems to be the one to get. Some of Monster's stuff seems to be grabbing market-share, also.

[ThomasW]

You'll find that most guarantees are worth the cost of the paper they're printed on. They'll have so many escape clauses that collecting on them is next to impossible.

Absolutely nothing protects against a direct lightning hit.

IMO a wholehouse protector is where you should start. Then use independent protectors for clusters of components. Furman has a new line of rackmount units that like the Brickwall are Series Mode Proectors. PE has pretty good pricing on the Furman products

[Neal_C]

A whole house surge protector installed at the braker box (or outside at the meter if your electric company provides that service) is definitely a good investment. Not only does it protect your HT stuff, but everything electronic in your house as well.

I use a whole house unit along with a Monster 3600.

[Shane Martin]

You'll find that most guarantees are worth the cost of the paper they're printed on. They'll have so many escape clauses that collecting on them is next to impossible.

Having friends that have used the Panamax and Monster warranties quite a bit, I would tend to disagree with this sentiment.

[taz13]

Absolutely nothing protects against a direct lightning hit.

Rewrite
Absolutly nothing we can afford protects against a direct lightning hit.
At work the advice we give to our customers is unplug what you don't want to lose if there is a lighting storm in the area. Myself I gamble and have a quality surge protection system that may or may not protect me. I also know full well what lightning can do as our system here(utility power grid) is a big lightning magnet and is a pain in the summer(trips generating units). Without utility grade (read- big and expensive) lightning protection a direct lightning hit in your power block is going to do a number on you.

Rick