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


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