Voltage stabilisers/Surge protectors

fsg · Oct 1st, 2006, 18:29

Are these 2 items pretty well the same thing?

I noticed a post about a surge protector and it was very light.

Voltage stabilisers weigh a ton. In T.N. they use them for fridges, TV's, and I shall certainly use it to charge my laptop, but have not previously used it for my ipod, with no ill effects
Id appreciate some opinions.

Thanks

PeakXV · Oct 1st, 2006, 19:38

You should source a spike/surge protector for your computer when in India. You will find them mainly incorporated in power strip bar form that is most commonly associated/used with computer equipment. There are a plethora of methods/names/schemes/scams that are employed with these bars so buy a reputable brand from a reputable equipment store.

Here is a link that, although very technical, describes everything you need to know including important lingo/terminology that will prepare you( u will know more than the salesman after perusing this) for your purchase.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/surge-protector5.htm

Nick-H · Oct 1st, 2006, 19:51

Not the same thing.

A surge protector is like a fuse: it protects against voltage surges.

A Voltage stabiliser attempt to maintain the voltage, whether the mains supply runs high or low.

To some extent your laptop's power suplly (being multi-voltage) may give some protection ...but of course it was not designed to do this.

Apparently compressors hate being turned on/off quickly, so stabilisers are always used for AC machines, fridges ---and usually TVs too.

crvlvr · Oct 2nd, 2006, 03:06

I donlt think you need either a a voltage stabilizer or surge protector for modern electronic devices as most of them are rated 90V - 280V. but, you do need a UPS in India for theor frequent power cuts. .

PeakXV · Oct 2nd, 2006, 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvlvr

I donlt think you need either a a voltage stabilizer or surge protector for modern electronic devices as most of them are rated 90V - 280V. but, you do need a UPS in India for theor frequent power cuts. .

But most decent hotels have gennys - and it's the spikes that can weaken and/or fry your electronics .... often several weeks after the initial strike has occured .... so why take a chance?

GoanCanuck · Oct 2nd, 2006, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsg

Are these 2 items pretty well the same thing?

No, they are quite different. In India you should use a voltage stabiliser with a fridge, air-conditioner, hi-fi system etc. The power quality in India is extremely poor and it is very common to get low voltage in the daytime and high voltage at night. This can play havoc with electrical/electronic appliances.

ghummakadz · Oct 2nd, 2006, 10:19

If you have any electronic gadgets along like laptops or PDAs, a voltage stabilizer in addition to a surge protector is really a good idea. We found this out the hard way: one laptop kept having no end of problems despite the surge protector, until we got it plugged into a voltage stabilizer. While a laptop's power adaptor can adjust to small spikes and dips in power, they're not really powerful enough to handle what comes out of the walls in India. Even a surge protector can only do so much when the fluctuations can range from 180v to 260v, plus spikes and outages.

One bummer is that a voltage stabilizer is pretty heavy brick-like thing, so they're (literally) a drag if you're doing a lot of traveling around. If you're going to a lot of different places, at least get one of the good Indian surge protectors that has a gauge to display the actual power coming out of the wall. If the needle starts to show big dips and surges, time to unplug...

crvlvr · Oct 2nd, 2006, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghummakadz

We found this out the hard way: one laptop kept having no end of problems despite the surge protector, until we got it plugged into a voltage stabilizer. While a laptop's power adaptor can adjust to small spikes and dips in power, they're not really powerful enough to handle what comes out of the walls in India. Even a surge protector can only do so much when the fluctuations can range from 180v to 260v, plus spikes and outages.

With laptops, the power connection is used to charge the battery, while the device uses battery power. so the battery can be seen as the power source, and the ultimate voltage stabilizer and UPS. In other words, you should be able to continue to use your laptop, even after you unplug it. I doubt is fluctuating voltage will have that much of an effect. Its the high power devices like refrigerators, air conditioners that are most affected by voltage. Most battery powered units should not be affected.

ghummakadz · Oct 2nd, 2006, 12:08

Yes, laptops running on battery may work fine, but the problem is when you have to plug your laptop into the wall. The power fluctuations are enough to overwhelm or even damage the adaptor that's charging the battery, and mess up the on-board connections between the adaptor and the laptop that track what the battery's doing. (Spontaneous reboots, anybody? Thought not...) So you want the stabilizer for when the adaptor's plugged in, and charging the battery.

fsg · Oct 2nd, 2006, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvlvr

With laptops, the power connection is used to charge the battery, while the device uses battery power. so the battery can be seen as the power source, and the ultimate voltage stabilizer and UPS. In other words, you should be able to continue to use your laptop, even after you unplug it. I doubt is fluctuating voltage will have that much of an effect. Its the high power devices like refrigerators, air conditioners that are most affected by voltage. Most battery powered units should not be affected.

Thanks CRLVR. My Macbook does not plug into the mains directly, but power comes viaMagsafe 60w adaptor to charge the battery, so I undrstand that I am only charging the battery , as in in all the electronic bits and pieces I carry.

We do have a stabiliser for the fridge where we stay, but I was thinking more about travelling out of station.

Ill check on the Magsafe adaptor now

machadinha · Oct 2nd, 2006, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghummakadz

at least get one of the good Indian surge protectors that has a gauge to display the actual power coming out of the wall. If the needle starts to show big dips and surges, time to unplug...

And here's me thinking all these gadgets were meant to make our lives more easy!

BenV · Oct 2nd, 2006, 14:41

I reckon a voltage stabilizer for a battery charger is no luxury either? I think the best strategy in general (i.e. if you do a lot of traveling) is to buy one at the airport?

PeakXV · Oct 2nd, 2006, 18:56

In essence, a good spike/surge protector does stabilize high voltages by sinking the excess power and doing this for an extended period of time. They won't haul up low voltages though but that's normally when the battery and/or hotel generator kicks in .... and if your hotel doesn't have a generator don't eat their omlettes!

Oct 1st, 2006, 18:29	#1
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 225	Voltage stabilisers/Surge protectors Are these 2 items pretty well the same thing? I noticed a post about a surge protector and it was very light. Voltage stabilisers weigh a ton. In T.N. they use them for fridges, TV's, and I shall certainly use it to charge my laptop, but have not previously used it for my ipod, with no ill effects Id appreciate some opinions. Thanks

Oct 1st, 2006, 19:38	#2
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,983	You should source a spike/surge protector for your computer when in India. You will find them mainly incorporated in power strip bar form that is most commonly associated/used with computer equipment. There are a plethora of methods/names/schemes/scams that are employed with these bars so buy a reputable brand from a reputable equipment store. Here is a link that, although very technical, describes everything you need to know including important lingo/terminology that will prepare you( u will know more than the salesman after perusing this) for your purchase. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/surge-protector5.htm __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Oct 1st, 2006, 19:51	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,591	Not the same thing. A surge protector is like a fuse: it protects against voltage surges. A Voltage stabiliser attempt to maintain the voltage, whether the mains supply runs high or low. To some extent your laptop's power suplly (being multi-voltage) may give some protection ...but of course it was not designed to do this. Apparently compressors hate being turned on/off quickly, so stabilisers are always used for AC machines, fridges ---and usually TVs too. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Oct 2nd, 2006, 03:06	#4
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,407	I donlt think you need either a a voltage stabilizer or surge protector for modern electronic devices as most of them are rated 90V - 280V. but, you do need a UPS in India for theor frequent power cuts. .

Oct 2nd, 2006, 10:19	#7
ghummakadz Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rewalsar, HP Posts: 45	If you have any electronic gadgets along like laptops or PDAs, a voltage stabilizer in addition to a surge protector is really a good idea. We found this out the hard way: one laptop kept having no end of problems despite the surge protector, until we got it plugged into a voltage stabilizer. While a laptop's power adaptor can adjust to small spikes and dips in power, they're not really powerful enough to handle what comes out of the walls in India. Even a surge protector can only do so much when the fluctuations can range from 180v to 260v, plus spikes and outages. One bummer is that a voltage stabilizer is pretty heavy brick-like thing, so they're (literally) a drag if you're doing a lot of traveling around. If you're going to a lot of different places, at least get one of the good Indian surge protectors that has a gauge to display the actual power coming out of the wall. If the needle starts to show big dips and surges, time to unplug...

Oct 2nd, 2006, 12:08	#9
ghummakadz Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rewalsar, HP Posts: 45	Yes, laptops running on battery may work fine, but the problem is when you have to plug your laptop into the wall. The power fluctuations are enough to overwhelm or even damage the adaptor that's charging the battery, and mess up the on-board connections between the adaptor and the laptop that track what the battery's doing. (Spontaneous reboots, anybody? Thought not...) So you want the stabilizer for when the adaptor's plugged in, and charging the battery.

Oct 2nd, 2006, 14:41	#12
BenV Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 137	I reckon a voltage stabilizer for a battery charger is no luxury either? I think the best strategy in general (i.e. if you do a lot of traveling) is to buy one at the airport?

Oct 2nd, 2006, 18:56	#13
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,983	In essence, a good spike/surge protector does stabilize high voltages by sinking the excess power and doing this for an extended period of time. They won't haul up low voltages though but that's normally when the battery and/or hotel generator kicks in .... and if your hotel doesn't have a generator don't eat their omlettes!

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