Dr.P's Full Review: Ace Hardware S9P609000A04000 Surge Suppressor
ACE HARDWARE HOME WORKSHOP SURGE SUPPRESSOR
I live in a rural community, and unfortunately power surges and outages are a part of life, especially in stormy weather. Between falling trees knocking down power lines, and then having power surges when the electricity is again turned back on, or on those aggravating occasions when there are nearby lightning strikes, I have learned a bitter lesson. I now always have my most prized electrical devices plugged into the best surge protectors or suppressors that I can. For some of my less valuable electrical equipment, I have been relying on the Ace Hardware Home Workshop Surge Suppressor. Allow me to describe some of the features of this Surge Suppressor.
The list price of the Ace Hardware Surge Suppressor is $17.09, but I was able to buy it at my local Ace Hardware store for $13.00 on sale. I should start of saying right off that this is a surge suppressor, and not a simple power strip with extra electrical plugs or sockets. A power strip may look like a surge suppressor, but all it does is add extra outlets for you to plug your equipment into. It is basically a glorified extension cord. A surge suppressor is a whole different thing altogether. Allow me to elaborate.
Basically, a surge suppressor is an electrical device that one plugs their electrical equipment into, and the surge suppressor is then plugged into a power line or outlet, and it protects the equipment that is plugged into it from being damaged by sudden fluctuations in current or voltage spikes. A surge suppressor regulates the voltage, and attempts to keep it at a constant level. It is very important to protect electrical equipment from electrical surges or spikes, because over time, even small ones can have a cumulative negative effect on your electrical equipment, and gradually damage the internal circuitry. A power spike, which can be the result of a lightning strike, may last a little as a thousandth of a second, but it can carry a massive jolt of many thousands of volts. However, probably the biggest source of power surges in the home is when the compressor or motors located in a refrigerator or air conditioner turn on. When these powerful electrical motors turn on or off, they cause a disruption in the even flow of the voltage in the home, which can over time cause cumulative, and in some cases instantaneous damage to certain delicate electrical components. That is why any electrical devices that you value should always be plugged into a surge suppressor.
Diamonds and other jewels may be a girl's best friend, but when it comes to surge suppressors, a Joule is one's best friend. A Joule (pronounced "jewel") is a measurement of electrical energy. The higher the Joule rating of a surge suppressor, the higher will be its capability of absorbing energy, and protecting your electrical equipment. I would always suggest that the minimum rating for a surge suppressor be at least 1000 Joules.
The Ace Home Workshop Surge Suppressor is rated at 1080 Joules and offers 3-line protection (line, neutral, and ground), and the manufacturer guarantees to repair or replace up to $10,000 of the equipment that is properly connected to this surge suppressor. It has six outlets, a surge protection indicator light (which lets you know that it is functioning properly), a lighted power switch to turn the suppressor on or off, a built-in circuit breaker, and a heavy duty 4 foot long power cord. The Ace Home Workshop Surge Suppressor is also rated at 15 amps, 125 volts, and 1875 watts. The response time is less than one nanosecond, and the clamping voltage is 330 volts at 500 amps, with a maximum surge voltage of 6000 volts.
I have used the Ace Home Workshop Surge Suppressor for several months, and thus far I am pleased with it. There are other more expensive surge suppressors on the market, and clearly there are ones with higher ratings. However, for everyday use, and to protect my less valuable and less vulnerable electric equipment, such as my power tools, I think that the Ace Home Workshop Surge Suppressor is a very good deal. Do I have any complaints? Just one, and that is one that is common to many brands, makes, and models of surge suppressor, and that is that the power cord is only 4 feet long. On the other hand, for all that the Ace Home Workshop Surge Suppressor offers, and for the purposes that I use it, I feel that this is an acceptable limitation, especially given the very reasonable price that this surge suppressor sells for.
Well I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my review, but now if you will excuse me, I must get back to practicing my guitar.
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
Sold as each. 15 amp, 125 volt, 1875 watt. Heavy-duty 4 ft. 14/3 power cord. Lighted power switch with built in circuit breaker. Beige. UL listed. Box...More at Amazon Marketplace
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