On 16-Jul-2001 Tony Duell wrote:
> Even if they don't fail totally, a large spike can damage them
> sufficiently that their characteristics are changed. It's not a bad idea
> to replace the MOVs (the components themselves are not expensive) in any
> device that has received a large spike.
I sther anyway to tell if the MOV is failing?
During a thunderstorm last week, there was a large (but not earth
shattering) *KA-BOOM* and the power went out for about 20 minutes. Power
went out again the following noon, so I wandered out of town (I live in a
small village) to see what the work crew were doing. Seems to poles
needed replacing! The T bars at the top (what's the proper term?) were at
non-standard angles. Wind causing a transformer to blow? Rain? I don't
think it was a lightning strike, because the poles were halfway down the
hillside, with silos and trees nearish, but furthur up the hill...
Anyway, i have the following protecting my computer gear :
http://www.tripplite.com/products/surge/surge_specs.cfm?family=Isobar&prod_
name=ISOTEL%204%20Ultra
I'm wondering if i should worry.
> Most consumer-grade spike proteectors seem to use somewhat underated
> MOVs. You can get higher energy ones from electronic component
> suppliers,
> and there's no reason not to fit these. They're less likely to fail in
> the future.
I dunno. I don't really trust my soldering skills anywhere near a
"critical" component like that...
-Philip
Received on Tue Jul 17 2001 - 01:00:08 BST