SAFETY FIRST. (APC SurgeArrest)

Name: thingywhatsit

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Product:	APC SurgeArrest
Date:	23/07/05 (232 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: PROTECTS YOUR EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT.

Disadvantages: NONE.

I spent a lot of money on my computer, and live in an area which is prone to electrical storms. There are also fluctuations in the flow of electricity in the area where I live which for the purpose of this review I will call "surges". We are also subject to something that perhaps is a rural problem, i.e. electrical cut outs.

This was a major issue when I bought my computer, and five years on, I am still using this neat little gadget that protects my computer from damage by storms or differences in the power feed to the computer.

It actually surprises me that a lot of my friends have not thought out the importance of having a gadget like this to protect what is very expensive equipment.

The unit is grey in colour and is quite attractively designed, having five sockets to take the plugs from your computer equipment. In the case of a power cut, what happens is that the surge arrest cuts in and stops any damage occurring to your computer.

The unit measures 12 inches by just under five inches and is about two inches high, and has a reset button at the front for use after a power cut to start the power supply again.

What I like about this gadget is that it does what it says it does, i.e. protects. During a recent storm, I was extremely worried about my computer being damaged, but was anxious to do the things I had to do on my computer, having deadlines to meet. I left the computer on, and when lightning hit and the storm knocked out the electricity, my computer was unharmed.

The unit costs around 25 euros, which is approximately fifteen pounds, which is a small price to pay considering the value of the machine that I depend upon so much.

It comes with a five year guarantee which pleases me, and even though the guarantee is past now, the surge arrest still works and has never malfunctioned.

How it works is that it has a very sensitive fuse that reacts in the event of changes in the electrical flow, power cuts, and even faulty wiring, and this fuse cuts in to stop harmful damage to your equipment.

The unit can handle 420 Joules which is adequate for the protection of your vital computer components and allows 11 kA of energy to reach your equipment before cutting in, and although I am unaware of technicalities, know that in my case, the surge arrest worked in time to save my precious computer.

Simply plug the unit into an earthed socket, and here you will find that the lead is sufficiently long to allow for lack of length on cables from your computer. Then plug in the components from your computer and turn the unit on. There is a green light that lights up to tell you that the surge arrest is working.

There is also a warning light that tells you that the unit is not working, although in my case, this has never been the case, so I cannot tell if this functions. Whilst some surge arrests have an audible alarm, I actually prefer the light system since I am not keen on alarms of any kind, and know that this unit is indeed looking after a piece of equipment that I value, without the need for fancy alarms.

For the peace of mind that it gives me, I believe that it was fifteen pounds well spent. The unit has been 100 per cent reliable for five years, is simple to install and is made of robust plastic which gives the impression of first rate quality build.The unit is pleasing to the eye, easy to clean (simply unplug the components), vacuum the sockets and plug the components back in again, wiping the surface with a dry duster.

Would I recommend this product ?

Of course I would.

You would be foolish not to have one.

Summary: Safety first.

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