

So, the lower the clamping voltage rating, the better the protection. High clamping voltages allow a higher level of surge voltage to get to your equipment. The best surge protectors for home theater equipment have less than a one nanosecond response time.Ĭlamping Voltage: While the response time tells you how quickly a surge suppressor takes to “turn on,” the clamping voltage tells you at what level of surge voltage the suppressor turns on. The lower the number, the faster the response. The response time is rated in nanoseconds (billionths of a second). Response Time: The response time tells you how long it takes for the surge suppressor to turn on before it is actively preventing a surge from affecting your equipment. By understanding and interpreting their meaning, you will be able to select the most appropriate surge proctor for your home theater system: The more difficult things cover the protection level ratings. Those are the easy things to consider when selecting a surge protector for a home theater system. The best surge protectors for home theater equipment conform to the UL 1449 3rd Edition. The most current one is the 3rd Edition, which tests to a higher degree of safety than earlier editions. There are several editions to the UL 1449 testing standard.

Surge suppressor manufacturers use UL to test their products according to the UL 1449 safety testing standard.

Safety Testing: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is facility that conducts independent, product safety testing.
Home theatre power manager full#
Since your home theater equipment is connected to all three, you need a surge protector that protects all three lines, covering the two protection modes: full normal mode (H-N) and common mode (N-G / H-G). Protection Modes: Residential power outlets have three wires: hot line (H), neutral (N), and ground (G). After repeated power surges, the protective circuitry will burn out so it’s important to know whether or not your surge protection is still functioning. Indicator Lights: Most surge protectors include diagnostic LEDs that confirm power availability and protection status. Select a surge protector that will accommodate transformer plugs without blocking adjacent outlets. Remember that transformer plugs are wider than standard plugs. Number of Outlets: Determine how many items you will be plugging into your surge suppressor, and purchase one with at least as many outlets as you expect to need.

If you want to place furniture flush against the wall in front of the AC outlet, choose a surge suppressor with a right-angle plug. Be sure to choose a surge protector that protects your equipment on all inputs, including telephone lines (RJ-11), computer network (RJ-45) and cable jacks (coaxial).Ĭord Length & Plug Design: Determine how far you will place your surge protector from your grounded AC outlet, and select a surge protector with a cord at least that long. Type of Equipment: What kind of equipment will you be plugging into your surge protector? Home electronics, computers, office equipment and workbench tools have different protection needs.
