My unit has individual fuses*. Expensive high surge capable fuses.
My unit has QUADRUPLE MOVs backup. MOVs degrade and fail
I do NOT use 300 volt TVS diodes as they are USELESS. Double diode backups.
The Gas Tube Discharge Devices are lightning protection
Now do these Super Whammy thirty dollar specials use 20 mm MOVs? Hell no they don't. Try 10 mm.
Typical worn-out "surge protector" Typical empty fire extinguisher. Same protection.
Not born yesterday, kind sir. Born day before.
*Honorable GDT devices NOT FUSED. They are closest to the connectors to act as an ionization path for lightning. Do honorable garbage surge protectors have individual GDT devices from line to neutral and line to earth ground?
Why did I choose ONE DOLLAR EACH FUSES? Because they can absorb 5+ amperes for many milliseconds, right up to the limit of the TVS diode carry. TVS diodes usually fail shorted, MOVs usually fail open circuit. Would love to see a GDT device fail shorted.
I DO NOT LIKE LIGHTNING. I have seen first-hand what it can do. That's why I returned to Stanford and took a 10 day course from professor I. Ickles PhD who did his best to translate functionality of a lightning strike into meaningful terminology and mechanical functionality. Lightning is by far best handled as far away from service as a person can get it - but when push comes to shove a GDT serves as an ionization leader hopefully directing a strike out of the rig and utterly destroying everything in it's path on it's way up to the clouds. Ionization. The diodes take the brunt then the MOVs a few microseconds later. The GDT buys more time. Perhaps enough for the leader to establish a firm route. It's ugly. But it's better than allowing a leader to run amok. I've seen mobile homes with outside paneling peeled away from the frame. Melted. A huge fire usually ensues and it instantly involves the entire rig.
As pitiful as it may be, some form of diversion at the entrance panel is a hell of a lot better than buffalo chip MOVs and one or two TVSs.
Meanwhile institute a search for American-quarter size MOVs in one of those thirty dollar "surge protectors".
I tore into a FIFTY DOLLAR BELKIN surge protector a few months ago and found ZERO TVS diodes, no GDT protection and dime size MOVs. Yes, there are expensive ISOBAR Tripplite protectors, that probably have all three devices and a hundred dollar price tag and a disturbing inability to fit inside an RV main breaker box.
AND FOR GOD'S SAKE (some) PEOPLE, I beg you to LEARN the difference between voltage protection correctors, disconnects, and transient voltage protectors. This is an apples and Steinway piano comparison. Something that protects when voltage goes low may be the worst transient voltage protection (zero). A low voltage correction device does exactly that. I would LOVE to see one with MOVs, TVS, and GDT protection.
A TRUE protection system like I have at home is hideously expensive. A 5KW Sola ferroresonant line tamer with 6,000 watt isolation transformer costs about eleven thousand dollars. Mine is rated -40% - +40% 168 volts down to 72 vac, the unit outputs 120.0 volts exactly. No steps. Smooth as a baby's rear. The Triad Sola isolation transformer removes ALL harmonic distortion, and transient voltage events.
But it ain't free. That eleven thousand dollar three hundred+ pound monster eats 132 watts doing absolutely nothing. I made a knife switch, dual pole out of copper straps. When a thunderstorm threatens which is often the switch is opened. Exactly .060" from the shore power inlet (right from the service drop) are a pair of aluminum 1" rods, driven three feet into the soil. My discharge device protection. The knife switch is overhead to protect little fingers from having shortened lives. The shed door of K Monel is kept locked. I do not have fourteen thousand dollars to invest in another Tektronix scope. That room must have 20-30K worth of electronics, and it isn't all going to die by electrocution.
I'm going to try and cram the transient voltage protection board inside the BORG. Three thousand miles is a long way to drive for a replacement Megawatt.
Just for information - I use a Mexican made automatic 20% booster on the A/C and room interior (lights, receptacles). Then a 1,200 watt isolation transformer. When Frankenstein is in the lab the Sola and Triad get switched on.
I have another booster and another transformer protecting the three freezers and Viking. I purchased a PALLET of (48) isolation transformers from HALTEK Electronics in Rhonert Park. 2,300 lbs worth. Let's Make A Deal cost me 260 dollars. NOS.
But thanks for the head's up about the TVS. When a person buys four nanosecond response time, something has to be given up.
