Surge Protector Japan / Home Desktop

[somethingsup]

I don’t know if there’s a short version for this, so my apologies in advance.

I have a home office desktop set-up coming soon: Mac Mini M6, Apple Studio Display, KEF LSX II LT, and KEF Kube 8. Not what I would call a “high-end system”, but I would feel better knowing I have a surge protector as a base level of protection, just in case. FYI, there is no changing out the power outlets or doing whole home surge protection system.

The issue(s) here are a few:

1. Wall outlets here in Japan are 2p, so any 3p surge protector power cable will need a plug adapter - and I hate adding adapters into any system.

2. There are plenty of low-end generic surge protectors that are meant more as power strips than surge protectors (ELECOM, Sanwa, etc), and plenty of higher-end brands that are more like power conditioners or power boxes that offer no surge protection (Oyaide, ORB, etc). But there’s really nothing that falls in the middle of the road - not plastic junk and not ¥40k+.

3. Literally the only thing I’ve been able to find that doesn’t require a plug adapter to plug into the wall outlet, that offers surge protection, that has a metal build, and doesn’t cost half the price of my speakers is the Fargo Japan Steel Tap AC-6. Looks ok. Seems ok. I can’t dump on it simply for being made in China, as most surge protectors are. I guess I would feel a bit better about it if it was reviewed outside of Amazon.

I feel stuck on this because there’s so few options. Open to thoughts, ideas, etc. Thanks everyone!

 

[amirm]

There is no reason to search out a surge protector, in US or in Japan. Almost all audio gear, especially those designed in japan, have internal surge protection and filtering (latter for passing regulatory testing). Surge protection also just dumps the surge into the ground line for everything else to experience it. And at any rate, the parts are sacrificial and will fail without you knowing it.

In US at least, insurance covers outside surges. If the same is true in japan, then that is the best recourse for something happening.

 

[amirm]

Here are the relevant requirements: (IEC/JIS are the same)

Now, if you have some boutique product, it may not comply but all major brands do.

 

[somethingsup]

There is no reason to search out a surge protector, in US or in Japan. Almost all audio gear, especially those designed in japan, have internal surge protection and filtering (latter for passing regulatory testing). Surge protection also just dumps the surge into the ground line for everything else to experience it. And at any rate, the parts are sacrificial and will fail without you knowing it.

In US at least, insurance covers outside surges. If the same is true in japan, then that is the best recourse for something happening.

I will gladly concede that you know much more about this topic than I do, so please don’t take this as argumentative - I’m just asking…

Your statement that there’s no need for surge protection because almost all audio gear have internal surge protection seems to be a new revelation to me. I understand that a lightning strike isn’t going to care what surge protector i have or don't have. But I’ve never heard anyone say you don’t even need to bother with one because your audio gear has internal ones built-in.

I can’t find any mention of this from KEF or APPLE - only the opposite.

 

[BJL]

I will gladly concede that you know much more about this topic than I do, so please don’t take this as argumentative - I’m just asking…

Your statement that there’s no need for surge protection because almost all audio gear have internal surge protection seems to be a new revelation to me. I understand that a lightning strike isn’t going to care what surge protector i have or don't have. But I’ve never heard anyone say you don’t even need to bother with one because your audio gear has internal ones built-in.

I can’t find any mention of this from KEF or APPLE - only the opposite.

Just as a cautionary. I had surge protectors from a major and respected brand. One day, at least one, and possibly two, failed during a thunder & lightning storm. None of the electronics was damaged, but it shut down power to half my house. Problem corrected by closing and opening all of the circuit breakers. My electrician told me to toss the surge protectors, which I did, for much the same reason that @amirm mentioned above (sends the surge to ground), result in my case being that all the breakers tripped. I have been happily surge protector free for a dozen years now, and I live in a lightning prone region.

I wouldn't waste my dollars, euros, or yen on those products.

 

[Redacted]

In the UK, it's built into the fuse box (aka consumer unit) and it's the sacrificial type, and changes colour when it's worn out.
Neverthess, when we get ligtning, I always turn off stereos and TVs (and a few other items) at the plug socket (all in the UK have double pole switches, so no need to turn off breakers), because I'm either paranoid or hate having to replace kit. My point is, are surge protectors not a feature of all (recent) fuse boxes in other countries?

 

[somethingsup]

In the UK, it's built into the fuse box (aka consumer unit) and it's the sacrificial type, and changes colour when it's worn out.
Neverthess, when we get ligtning, I always turn off stereos and TVs (and a few other items) at the plug socket (all in the UK have double pole switches, so no need to turn off breakers), because I'm either paranoid or hate having to replace kit. My point is, are surge protectors not a feature of all (recent) fuse boxes in other countries?

I can’t say if they are or are not a feature here in Japan. Im not so interested in finding out they are not and throwing out my entire setup. Im not trying to convert anyone to being pro-surge protector, just as Im not interested in or advocating for getting some ridiculous $5000 audiophile unit. But I didn’t think my options would literally be one unit that im not even sure if it’s total garbage or not.

 

[Redacted]

Hard to believe there is only one unit in Japan, but I would not doubt you!

FWIW, here's a pic of our fusebox, in case you can identify anything similar in your country, and the SPD is orange, (note we usually have ring-mains in the UK, so not many breakers, and breakers are usually mini-RCD types):

 

[antcollinet]

Hard to believe there is only one unit in Japan, but I would not doubt you!

FWIW, here's a pic of our fusebox, in case you can identify anything similar in your country, and the SPD is orange, (note we usually have ring-mains in the UK, so not many breakers, and breakers are usually mini-RCD types):


View attachment 556214

I have a relatively recently fitted distribution unit - about four years ago. No SPD.

 

[somethingsup]

Hard to believe there is only one unit in Japan, but I would not doubt you!

FWIW, here's a pic of our fusebox, in case you can identify anything similar in your country, and the SPD is orange, (note we usually have ring-mains in the UK, so not many breakers, and breakers are usually mini-RCD types):


View attachment 556214

Believe me when I say that I really want to find a surge protector.

There are the generic plastic type that have a 2p power cable plug so it will plug into my wall outlet, but most of these resemble a power strip more than a quality surge protector.

On the opposite end are high end companies:models that cost anywhere from 30% to 300% of my speakers/sub, which is beyond overkill for me.

It’s the middle ground where individual issues start ruling out models. For example, SPs (surge protectors) with 3p power cable plugs thus requiring a plug adapter. SPs that specifically state to not use with powered speakers. And so on. It’s easy to find power taps but they don’t offer any surge protection.

Honestly, I would be perfectly fine with the Furman SS-6B, if I could have the ridiculously long built-in power cable cut down to about 1m (instead of 4m stock) and have the plug changed to the standard 2p with green ground wire in Japan.

Here is my fuse box…

 

[somethingsup]

In the UK, it's built into the fuse box (aka consumer unit) and it's the sacrificial type, and changes colour when it's worn out.
Neverthess, when we get ligtning, I always turn off stereos and TVs (and a few other items) at the plug socket (all in the UK have double pole switches, so no need to turn off breakers), because I'm either paranoid or hate having to replace kit. My point is, are surge protectors not a feature of all (recent) fuse boxes in other countries?

When looking at my fuse box in Japan and some Google research, it seems not the norm to have built-in surge protection.

 

[somethingsup]

I really don’t want to chance not using any protector whatsoever, so unless I magically discover the correct word combination which unlocks the golden chest of surge protectors in Japan, it seems finding a solid unit that’s middle of the road and geared toward audio will remain a mystery, and I’ll have to use the generic plastic models from Elecom or Sanwa. They still offer 12500V of protection and are rated at 125V・15A・1500W. This is the standard generic protectors found in any electronic store here. I was just really hoping I could find one a bit more robust, im the same range of the Furman SS-6B. But it’s been impossible.

 

[Redacted]

It was not the norm in the UK until recently - the UK is "The Land That Time Forgot" in many ways, but not too bad on electricity and gas.
I was just showing you what SPDs looked like in case you may be able to make enquiries locally at an electrical shop (and not boasting about my "audiophile breakers" made from mithril, and my silver mains wiring sheathed in angel hair which runs back to the local sub-station) .

I did not know you have 200V mains though!

I'm puzzled by the 4m cable problem - is it not just 5 mins work to chop the cable to length and put the right plug on the end (assuming voltage, frequency are correct)?

 

[wwenze]

I would just buy a proper UPS, which also doubles as a... well... UPS

 

[solderdude]

There is a big difference between surge arrestors, protectors and transient suppressors.

When your home is a long way from any street transformer (rural) it can pay to have a surge protector.
Of course they don't do anything to a direct lightning strike (nothing will) but can keep equipment from damage.
When one often experiences brown-outs or black-outs and wildly varying mains voltages (lights getting brighter/dimmer) it might be a good thing to add some protection to your fuse box. Rather pointless in general to do than for individual sockets.

A lot of gear with switching power supplies (basically most equipment with a wide input voltage range) has some low current/power level transient suppressors.
Transients are very short duration and not quickly repetitive peaks that can be caused by inductive gear being switched off/on.
For those short duration pulses these TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressors) or MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors) will certainly help.

Larger pulses are likely to destroy those protection devices and they will need protection using spark gaps (SPG) or Gas Discharge Tubes (GDT's) and VDR (Voltage Dependent Resistors) or NTC for instance.

For long power lines those too aren't sufficient and heavier (and more expensive) components in the fuse box is required.
lightning or Surge arrestors are recommended in such cases.
Often these go in 3 stages (coarse to finer).

 

[somethingsup]

It was not the norm in the UK until recently - the UK is "The Land That Time Forgot" in many ways, but not too bad on electricity and gas.
I was just showing you what SPDs looked like in case you may be able to make enquiries locally at an electrical shop (and not boasting about my "audiophile breakers" made from mithril, and my silver mains wiring sheathed in angel hair which runs back to the local sub-station) .

I did not know you have 200V mains though!

I'm puzzled by the 4m cable problem - is it not just 5 mins work to chop the cable to length and put the right plug on the end (assuming voltage, frequency are correct)?

Japan is 100v country. I did notice that 200v section when looking in the fuse box. I honestly have no clue what that’s about nor would I even touch it. Things here are reliable though. I have lived in this building for 12 years. Never lost power once - not for 1 min or 1 hour. We had some lightning a few days ago which came with a typhoon but it’s not a norm here.

Myself, personally, it’s not something I would be able to do (cable shortening and plug swap). I have a sneaking suspicion that if I ask around to electricians, being Japanese, most are going to decline the request out of some disrespect to the manufacturer if they agree. That would solve my problem though, so I will put some time into seeing if I can find someone.

 

[somethingsup]

I would just buy a proper UPS, which also doubles as a... well... UPS

When I began looking at those, most were 3p power cable plugs. I don’t want to deal with adapters. If I can find one that offers a 2p plug, I have no issue as long as it’s not 30,000-50,000+ JPY.

 

[somethingsup]

There is a big difference between surge arrestors, protectors and transient suppressors.

When your home is a long way from any street transformer (rural) it can pay to have a surge protector.
Of course they don't do anything to a direct lightning strike (nothing will) but can keep equipment from damage.
When one often experiences brown-outs or black-outs and wildly varying mains voltages (lights getting brighter/dimmer) it might be a good thing to add some protection to your fuse box. Rather pointless in general to do than for individual sockets.

A lot of gear with switching power supplies (basically most equipment with a wide input voltage range) has some low current/power level transient suppressors.
Transients are very short duration and not quickly repetitive peaks that can be caused by inductive gear being switched off/on.
For those short duration pulses these TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressors) or MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors) will certainly help.

Larger pulses are likely to destroy those protection devices and they will need protection using spark gaps (SPG) or Gas Discharge Tubes (GDT's) and VDR (Voltage Dependent Resistors) or NTC for instance.

For long power lines those too aren't sufficient and heavier (and more expensive) components in the fuse box is required.
lightning or Surge arrestors are recommended in such cases.
Often these go in 3 stages (coarse to finer).

Yea, I hear you.

I’m not laying awake at night obsessively worrying about direct lightning strikes because - as you related to - at that point I would be buying trash bags to throw away all of my electronics.

But I'm also not trying to go down any bottomless black holes where a decent surge protector turns into 20 other failsafes, gadgets, etc.

I appreciate everyone’s opinions and perspectives here, especially since I was the one asking for help, thoughts, ideas, etc.

I’m about 99% sure I could plug my Mac Mini and Apple display in one outlet and my KEF speakers and KEF sub into another outlet and be perfectly fine. But if having a surge protector is going to do nothing more than cover me on the remaining 1% chance, it’s fine with me. Chances are it sits there collecting dust and basically serves as a glorified power strip.

 

[somethingsup]

About the cable shortening and plug swap - do you think I should ask around to electricians or to audio shops? I feel like audio shops wouldn’t want to “sh_t where they eat” so to speak, especially if they are selling Furman products. I wouldn’t imagine their Furman rep would be high-fiving them over it.

 

[amirm]

Your statement that there’s no need for surge protection because almost all audio gear have internal surge protection seems to be a new revelation to me. I understand that a lightning strike isn’t going to care what surge protector i have or don't have. But I’ve never heard anyone say you don’t even need to bother with one because your audio gear has internal ones built-in.

I hear you. The problem is that people "feel good" about these products so purchase them. There is no study whatsoever that shows them to be useful. As you state, a lightning strike has such strong power that it will vaporize these devices and a bunch of others. So the question is what type of transient you are getting that is lower than that, but higher than in-built protection in your audio gear. My answer is, almost nothing unless you are in an industrial environment with heavy motor start and stops.

Even there, the protection must be in the main breaker as to have a low impedance path to safety ground. Even a few inches of distance can sharply reduce the effectiveness of even these devices:

Now imagine a point of use, surge protector, many feet away from the breaker panel. It will happily let through that surge and with it, dump it to the ground wire that is going to all the devices in your home. Devices don't have protection for that so you are literally damaging them!

Further, these point of use devices themselves are usually unsafe and will happily catch on fire if strong enough surge is applied to them. The problem is that they provide "protection" by shorting the mains to ground. Massive amount of current can go through them causing them to literally explode. If they lack fuses, this can be catastrophic:

And these are higher end professional, whole house protectors! Little power strips happily start a fire on their own as companies with Furman demonstrate at shows.

Then there is the cost of protecting the gear for such a small risk that your insurance can manage at far lower premium (likely zero as it may already cover it).