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is a surge protected extension/powerstrip any use without upfront SPDs

psychicwarrior

hello goodly morrow

If a T3 SPD, 'must not' be used, as per 7671,  without upfront (T1+)T2 SPD  (for want of better words) ,  what real value is a plugged in surge protected extension lead/powerstrip  (which is a T3 in effect one presumes) without a T2 somewhere upfront ?

Or is it really just a sacrificial item and really is better to have.

Perhaps the components are pretty useless and cheap in most of the consumer grade surge leads/strips.  May be connected devices (via power blocks and transformers etc) can cope just as well  ;-)

Engineering references and regs are not going to use the anything is better than nothing finger in the air style and have to present a considered, tested and  co-ordinated approach. The consumer market takes a different view it seems and makes little to no effort (does it) to advise that surge protected powerstrips/leads 'must not be used' without upfront SPD,  but if course such is not part of fixed wiring any way so no need, or is there a need . 

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  • 0

    I've been out a few moments ago and bought one from the local 'shed'  :-)  ... just to see  (well it will get used).

    And...  it states on the label on the body that it is a T3 SPD; Uc 255V Uoc 4kV Up 2.5kV.

    So it is a T3   -  with no T2 upfront (in this case) ... but, as noted,  it is not covered by BS7671 of course.

    It is there to sacrifice   :-)

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  • 0

    I've been out a few moments ago and bought one from the local 'shed'  :-)  ... just to see  (well it will get used).

    And...  it states on the label on the body that it is a T3 SPD; Uc 255V Uoc 4kV Up 2.5kV.

    So it is a T3   -  with no T2 upfront (in this case) ... but, as noted,  it is not covered by BS7671 of course.

    It is there to sacrifice   :-)

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  • 0 in reply to psychicwarrior

    well it rather depends on how many events of each level of severity you expect to get per year, The prolific but low level stuff from domestic sources like spikes from tumble dryer motors reversing will be trapped very well by something like this, as will some external things from the neighbours but not very big surges, but there probably are not that many of those anyway, after all there are plenty of installations with no surge protection at all, and not a lot seems to happen.
    The problem is one of probability, and that is very location dependent.  

    Mike

  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    Yes agreed. A few of us here were having that same discussion ... it being  about location, risk assessment etc  and whether to bother with surge powerstrips/leads.     I've had nothing for decades and have and have had computers, routers and so on like most and nothing has  happened ( that I know of). One never knows though . ;-)

    Perhaps folk with really expensive and/or sensitive equipment might employ them but also as part of a coordinated approach.

    The point in mind  was that although powerstrips etc are not part of fixed wiring (covered by 7671), they (or some) are indeed T3 SPD (point of use).    It seemed that 7671 was suggesting dont fit anything at all unless i is all co-ordinated, or if not that exactly then at least 'must not' fit a T3 unless suitable SPD provisions upfront.  That's why I was delving into the merits of T3  powerstrips.  It must be better than nothing in some cases ... and may be this is the thing.

    Sorry for my wording -  it is poor.

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