[Test-Equipment] Re: [TekScopes2] Mains protection for work bench test equipment?

[J Forster]

OK. I'll venture into the alligator pond.

IMO, unless you live a long way from a city and depend on long overhead
power lines subject to lightning strikes, I think 'surge protectors' are
a total waste of time and money. Even if there is a line spike, most gear
will not be damaged at all.

I used to spend my summers on an island in the St. Lawrence River. It was
composed mostly of sand (think quartz..  a pretty good insulator). One
evening we were watching TV and there was a nearby thunderstorm. I heard
a bang from a nearby strike and saw a spark jump from the light switch on
the living room wall to a floor air heating vent...  roughly 6 feet. No
surge protector, no damage to anything in the house, TV included.

I would recommend that your line strip be plugged into a GFI outlet and
that you NOT clip ground pins on line cords.

Flame shields up !

Best,
-John



davec wrote:

> I've got a nice 6-foot, 20-outlet power strip strapped to the back of
> my work bench. It does not, however, have any surge protection or
> filtering.
>
> What kind of protection do y'all use for mains power for your test
> equipment? Surely not the cheap "surge-protector" power strips?
>
> Is there some protection I can add prior to my power strip that will
> be sufficient to protect my equipment investment?
>
> Recommendations welcome.
>
> Thanks,
> Dave