I think some of the confusion comes from the Zero Surge ad copy:
www.prosoundweb.com
Thanks for pointing that out. My reading of Amir's test was he was taking the raw power out of the rack. While not pristine, there were no 'disturbances' in this signal, just the typical, all day long, noise. These surge suppressors are not cleaners. I think Amir would need to inject a large high frequency noise component (disturbance) to test the Zero Surge suppression capabilities. Amir uses the word filter but I may not use that word as I read the ad copy is suppressing a surge (disturbance), even in the EMI or RFI range. I consider filtering or power cleaners to be different than dealing with disturbances. I do agree that he term conditioner in the ad copy is not the best word, but I interpreted that word based on what follows. I think Amir's graphs do show some reduction in the high frequency range - perhaps this noise could couple into and interfere with operation of routers, modems, and the like - not sure.
It's open to interpretation just what they were trying to say. In any event, it doesn't do much, if any filtering, in the sense an EMI/RFI engineer would recognize.
I don't want to divert this discussion too far, but your mention of whole-house surge protection intrigues me. There are some situations where a surge unit (Zero Surge or otherwise) would not work so well, such as protecting an espresso machine on a kitchen counter where water splash is likely. Espresso machines can cost $thousands, so protection is much desired. Seems like a whole-house solution at the junction box may be the answer? Maybe. Don't know for sure. Anyone with knowledge about this option able to opine/recommend? I like the premise of a mode filter option compared to the metal oxide varistor (MOV) form of surge protection, so if only MOV is available as a whole-house solution that would be less than ideal.
Surge protection works best at the entrance to the home due to very low impedance of the ground there. This means surges are shunted better than doing the same thing across many feet inside your home. You can get the power company to put one in side the meter. Ours cost about $350. Or you can get an electrician to put one next to your breaker panel. This will naturally cost more.
I had an electrician install an Intermatic Smart Guard IG2240-IMSK Whole Home Surge Protector when I bought my home:
I didn't get the impression water would create the surge, just that placement of a surge suppressor in a location likely to get water splash was not recommended. I contacted Zero Surge directly and they indicated that would not be appropriate.
That is a very interesting option, and frankly one which I had never heard of before. Will definitely follow up with the local power utility. Thank you for the info.
Bummed. Local power utility doesn't offer the install-at-meter program. Amir is lucky to have it. Checked with Zero Surge and they don't make a whole-house product. Anyone know of a whole-house surge protection device that is not based on MOV? In communicating with Zero Surge they indicated whole-house MOV devices typically have a surge let-through of about 700V-900V. Yikes!
That is why surge protection needs to be layered. Whole house followed by power strip and finally in the device itself (rare).
Read more carefully, ZeroSurge does not contain MOVs.
Good to know, I have the same power provider and I am considering upgrading from Furman to ZeroSurge/SurgeX.
Kellen, if I understood you correctly, SurgeX has what you need:
Thanks Reeval! The link your provided went to "whole room" protection. Should I be reading that as "whole house" as discussed above, or is that protection specific to a line?
My pleasure, I think one of the models (PF-420) has a total of 80 amps divided into four 20 amp circuits. I am not sure if this would qualify as a "Whole House", although it would for an apartment.
It's a good time of year to make the upgrade...
