Just
click on a question below to get the answer:
Does
a UPS protect my computer?
An uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) offers protection from surges coming through the
power line, but is every computer, printer, and other smart device
connected to it fully protected? All of the communications cables
connected to your computer are direct copper wire links from the sensitive
circuitry in your computer to the outside world. The fact is that
these direct connections are more vulnerable than your AC power input.
Fortunately, protecting them is easy. Just put an inexpensive surge
protector in line with each cable that plugs into your computer.
Why
do I have to worry about ground loops?
Ground loops refer
to the current that can travel in the ground wiring between two devices.
Even good wiring can produce significant ground loops when the equipment
is connected to different power sources or there is significant power
flowing near the equipment. The communications inputs on your equipment
measures the signal relative to the return wire, which is often ground
referenced. A surge in the level on either conductor has the same
effect on the circuitry. One significant surge on the ground wire
can easily take out your unprotected equipment.
Will
a surge protector ensure protection against lightning?
No. It would be
an overstatement to guarantee protection against lightning. Anyone
who has ever seen the effects of a direct hit clearly knows why. However,
such severe conditions are rare, and if the energy of a lightning
strike can get to your computer, the overwhelming odds are that an
industrial strength surge protector will protect your computer and
its valuable data.
Will
a surge suppressor degrade the integrity of the communication signal?
No, an industrial
surge protector is designed to pass signals below the threshold level
without alteration. Only when an abnormal voltage is present will
the circuits in the surge protector become active. It is possible
that the occurrence of the surge will degrade the integrity of the
one message in transit at that time. In most well designed communications
systems a retry will be initiated and no consequential data loss will
occur. (For example, TCP/IP communications handles this situation
extremely well.)
How
do I know that I installed the surge protector properly?
It’s very
hard to install a SIXNET surge protector incorrectly. There are only
three things to know.
- The surge protector
is clearly marked with the protected and unprotected side. However,
even if you connect it backwards, you will still be protected, but
just not quite as much.
- A good ground
is essential but with the self-grounding provided through the DIN
rail terminal, its pretty hard to not to get a good ground. Just
make sure that your metal panel is grounded. If you are not mounting
the device on a rail, just use the ground wire provided.
- If your messages
are getting through, then you wired the communications correctly.
If you use prefabricated cables all you have to do is plug them
in.
What
will happen if my surge protector is installed backwards?
Installed backwards, the SIXNET
Surge Protector will still offer some protection. The surge protectors
are labeled with a "Protected" and "Unprotected"
side. So to insure the best protection just make sure that the device
you want to protect is connected to the "Protected" side.
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How
do I know my surge protector has taken a hit and should be replaced?
The SIXNET Surge Protector
will normally absorb smaller surges and transients without needing replacement.
In the event of a more powerful surge such as a close by lightning strike
then the protector may be destroyed in the act of protecting your equipment.
You will know this because the protector will no longer pass your communication
signals through. Simply drop in a new protector and you are up and running
again.
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How
can I insure the best protection?
Proper grounding of the SIXNET
Surge Protector is typically the most important way to insure the
best protection. Make sure your DIN rail is grounded to the panel or
use the grounding kit for direct panel mounting. If the latter then
make sure your ground wire is 14 AWG or larger, and as short as possible
(12" or less). Ideally, the ground should be common with the AC
power ground. Also, make sure the device to be protected is connected
to the "Protected" side of the protector.
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