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Surge Protector recommendations? Furman? Also, when are power conditioners needed?

A

aarono2690

Nov 10, 2023
444
541
#1
Thinking about buying the following surge protector:

Invalid Link Removed

Any opinions on this or ones you'd recommend? I've heard differing opinions on surge protectors. I've seen people say they are snake oil and that if your house is properly wired/up to code you should never need a surge protector. Others say you are an idiot if you operate expensive electronics without one. I'm in the camp of better safe than sorry.

Also, I see mention of power conditioners? What exactly are these and when do you need one? I'm just playing in my basement through a 800w amp/cab.
 
#2
I do not have a ton of commentary on your various questions other than to say the Furman you linked is extremely useful and I own a few of them. Great for bass amps because you get a decent number of outlets, with space between them. You also get 15' of cable, which is great for places where wall outlets are farther away than you want them. Enclosure is durable and you can beat this up without having to worry about them.
 
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#3
Surge protectors biggest benefit, if using a good one, is protecting gear from power spikes, brown outs, lightning strike.
They aren’t “snake oil” if you buy a good one.

I have no interest in debating this topic, so quote me if you want, not going to debate.


I have one of these that I plug my music equipment into.
IMG_0412.jpeg
 
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#4
Depending on how many outlets you need and what is being powered, the Furman should be just fine.
If just needing one outlet for, say a tube amp, there is a product called the Brown Box that is very very good also.
 
#5
I have a house surge protector. And a 20 amp Furman and shielded cables. Copper foil in all my electric intrument cavities... Why? Primarily 60hz hum. But... I figure in the past 22 years before I went protective I lost a washing machine, 2 PC's and and 2 oven computer boards.

There are power drops and fluctuations around here fairly frequently.

I have thought about a power conditioner and still might get one.
 
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#7
aarono2690 said:
Thinking about buying the following surge protector:

Invalid Link Removed

Any opinions on this or ones you'd recommend? I've heard differing opinions on surge protectors. I've seen people say they are snake oil and that if your house is properly wired/up to code you should never need a surge protector. Others say you are an idiot if you operate expensive electronics without one. I'm in the camp of better safe than sorry.

Also, I see mention of power conditioners? What exactly are these and when do you need one? I'm just playing in my basement through a 800w amp/cab.
Click to expand...
Surge Protectors are recommended “always” and last night was a prime example.
We were in the middle of a tune when there was a huge electrical spike, then blackout & silence, then another spike, then everything came back on. It took a few minutes for some items to reset (digital board, IEM systems, etc). Everything I own goes thru surge protectors and so it all powered back up. Power amps, digital board, even my new Mesa 800D which was on its maiden voyage were protected.
The guitar player’s IEM system was fried (no protector) so he’ll be looking for a replacement today (and a surge protector).
Without the surge protectors last night we would be replacing a lot of gear in order to play tonite’s gig. Lots of protection for such a small investment is a “no brainer”.
 
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#9
I have a Radial Power-1 in one rack case and in the other I have a Fuan power conditioner ( I don’t remember the model). One is a fancy power strip / surge protector and the other is a power conditioner. I’ve found them to be pretty handy. I’ve also got a nice Isobar surge protector for gigs where I’m traveling light.

I got these because I had an amp damaged at a club once due to a lightning strike. Also, most places we play were wired by the lowest bidder.

However, the most important thing in my box of goodies is my Klein outlet tester. When playing at a new club it’s always the first thing I check.
IMG_7919.jpeg
 
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#10
Hasty said:
I have a Radial Power-1 in one rack case and in the other I have a Fuan power conditioner ( I don’t remember the model). One is a fancy power strip / surge protector and the other is a power conditioner. I’ve found them to be pretty handy. I’ve also got a nice Isobar surge protector for gigs where I’m traveling light.

I got these because I had an amp damaged at a club once due to a lightning strike. Also, most places we play were wired by the lowest bidder.

However, the most important thing in my box of goodies is my Klein outlet tester. When playing at a new club it’s always the first thing I check.
View attachment 7325839
Click to expand...
That looks like a useful tool. I’ll grab one too.

I ended up buying the surge protector I bought in the OP. Hoping the boys at B&H ship it out before Rosh Hashanah
 
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#11
Hasty said:
However, the most important thing in my box of goodies is my Klein outlet tester. When playing at a new club it’s always the first thing I check.
Click to expand...
I thought I was the only one doing this! I actually talked a local bar into letting me rewire a few outlets before we played there again.

As for the main conversation, those Furmans have served me well. As noted, they are solidly built, and that long cord comes in handy more often than you'd think.
 
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#12
I have a Square D whole house surge protector wired into my panel. For gigs, as someone mentioned prior, I use the Klien tester to check receptacles that I plug my gear into. The surge suppressor that I use for live is a decent one and not expensive. I purchased it from Amazon. Protect your expensive gear.
 
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#15
Danny C said:
Overkill, in my opinion. Modern day amps have protection in them also. That tester is a solid investment and easy to throw in your bag.
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Yeah I thought the amp protection was good until I had to send mine in for a new power supply after the lightning strike. That’s when I started buying good surge protectors. YMMV
 
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#17
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#18
BOOG said:
Hard for me to get excited about surge protector's, but yeah, it performs as the manufacturer intended. You’ll appreciate it a lot more when you start playing places with questionable janky power.
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The one linked is the one I carry in my gig case--I plug everything into it--amp, pedalboard. The last time I DIDN"T use it? I recently played a venue where the power strip was this sketchy looking consumer-grade piece of garbage, and about midway through the first set my amp started going up and down in volume randomly. With no time to really trouble shoot much, I swapped in that Furman and voila, the problem went away. I mean, why not carry a reliable power strip with you?
In my home studio I have a couple rackmount power conditioners and surge protecters.
 
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#19
I had a weekly gig this summer at an outdoor venue. The wiring was sketchy at best and the first week I used a cheapo surge protector. I was getting some grounding issue-type hum through my amp. Someone on tb suggested the Furman SS 6d1. It has surge protection and RF/EMI blocking. I got it through Amazon before the second week and the hum was gone. I can also attest that the Furman is built like a tank and the 15 foot cord is great. It goes with me to every gig now.

I don't know if it's snake oil or not. Paying $50 to not listen to hum every week was worth it to me.
 
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