Electric safety? devices??

[westcoast]

Not entirely sure this is the correct forum but here goes.

Regarding power supplys, multi socket extensions etc. What safety device if any should be thought of prior to connecting all the users such as amp, speakers, T.v Sky box, DVD player???

Also what are the pros and cons of having such devices fitted and do they have an effect if any on sound/picture quality.

Thanks

[SparksCW]

Might be worth using a surge protected extension lead for the AV equipment...

A few years ago I did a job at a house that was struck by lightning, had to rewire the garage, a new fuseboard and various other bits due to fire damage, it also obliterated their TV etc.

I'm not 100% clued up on surge protected stuff but I /think/ they are designed to protect your equipment in similar sort of circumstances... I might be wrong though.

[silver12]

Most, nearly all, surge arresters won't withstand a lightning strike. They are primarily designed for varying supply voltages, where the local distributor seems incapable of providing a steady voltage at all times. Rural locations suffer from this the most, for obvious reasons.

The only real route for lightning protection is a lightning protection system, with copper/aluminium tape running from a spike on your roof to multiple rods in the ground - in a standard domestic install this is over the top. If you had a flat roof and were putting air con units and the like onto the roof then it would be a worthwhile investment.

[westcoast]

Thanks for the advice.

As my username suggests I do live in a very rural area so I'll get a surge protector, better be safe than sorry.

[SparksCW]

Originally Posted by silver12

Most, nearly all, surge arresters won't withstand a lightning strike. They are primarily designed for varying supply voltages, where the local distributor seems incapable of providing a steady voltage at all times. Rural locations suffer from this the most, for obvious reasons.

The only real route for lightning protection is a lightning protection system, with copper/aluminium tape running from a spike on your roof to multiple rods in the ground - in a standard domestic install this is over the top. If you had a flat roof and were putting air con units and the like onto the roof then it would be a worthwhile investment.

Cheers for clarifying that silver, I don't like to give bad advice (hence my "might be wrong" warnings)..

[MarkP80]

Hi,

Regarding power supplys, multi socket extensions etc. What safety device if any should be thought of prior to connecting all the users such as amp, speakers, T.v Sky box, DVD player???

- make sure it's fused correctly, and don't plug multiplug adapters or another multi-socket extension into a multi-socket extension!

do they have an effect if any on sound/picture quality.

- none whatsoever (cue the flaming from the cable believers....)!

Cheers,
MarkP