[Elecraft] Lightning damage

[Drew AF2Z]

I have several series mode surge protectors. They are big, heavy and 
more expensive but have none of the limitations of MOV sacrificial shunt 
devices.

I would get rid of any older MOV-based surge protection devices that are 
lying around. They have been known to burn. The newer ones are supposed 
to have thermal protection but I wouldn't trust offshore manufacturers 
to implement it correctly; or not skip it entirely like they do filter 
components in switching power supplies... All those plastic power strips 
that are laying around-- if any have MOV devices I'd trash them. A 
sacrificial shunt device in a "stylish" plastic container? No thanks.

73,
Drew
AF2Z



On 11/06/17 22:18, djl wrote:
> I know personally (not FOF) of one death due to a hanging RF cable, in 
> this case a cb antenna. Don't just leave the lead to your antenna 
> hanging. I use very inexpensive switches from epay that have a grounded 
> off.
> 
> MOV devices only absorb a finite, unpredictable, number of hits. In 
> other words, the next hit may be the device's failure.  There are other 
> devices that are better. As with ground fault outlets, you only need one 
> good protective device per AC circuit. In fact, on the ordinary 
> household service, one industrial strength device on each side of the 
> 220 service at the breaker box is needed.  Look up "whole house surge 
> suppressor" online.  Some of the "best" have mov's.   I have not looked 
> lately at availability of non-mov units, which I could recommend. 
> Multiple outlet strips with surge protection have in general mov's that 
> are too samll. I personally don't trust them.
> 
> ARRL has a very good guide to grounding and protection.
> 
> 73 and happy grounding
>