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

[n2lxm at juno.com]

Greetings All, 

        After reading all the comments main on the subject I have to
agree with the following.

        1.) There is no protection that works if you take a direct
Lighting Hit.
        2.) Most " Lighting Damage " is really a static Type Discharge.
        3.) The best way to protect your equipment is to have it grounded
and unplug it when you're no using it.

        I live in New Jersey, so we do not have the types of lighting
storms that the Mid West and South Western U.S. have. But from my
experience I have done the following.  The electrical power for my work
bench is controlled by a very large Variable Transformer. This has both
input and output circuit breakers ( DPST ), EMI Filters, and MOV's. The
Variable transformers allows me to adjust the line voltage so I am not
applying to much voltage to My tube type test Gear. The advantage of the
duel circuit breakers is when both are open there is a better chance that
a Static discharge will not jump across both devices. I also monitor the
AC Line Voltage and Frequency, important during the summer when the AC
demand is high. The last thing about My setup is I can turn on the bench
just by throwing two breakers. The set up has been in place for ten years
now and I have not had any major problems with failures. Anyway that's My
Two and One Half Cents worth.


                                Jeff N2LXM
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