APC A/V S20 Question/Concern

[Blk02_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/15/2011

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I have been running my A/V equipment with a APC S20 for about 1.5 years now and everything is still workin fine, but I had a few questions. I have been reading a lot about surge protectors and I am wondering how the S20 compares to offerings from Zero Surge, Brickwall, and SurgeX. There is no surge protection data listed on the APC website S20 technical page. In addition, let-through voltage (<50V) is the only surge protection data listed in the manual for the APC S20.

1) What type of surge protection does the S20 provide? MOV or Inductor/Capacitor/Resistor?
2) If the S20 uses MOV's what is the reason other than being cheaper than the Inductor/Capacitor/Resistor type?
3) Also, if the S20 uses MOV's what is the Joule rating?
4) If the S20 uses MOV's how do I tell when the MOV's are no longer providing full protection?
5) In addition, what is the S20's endurance rating for the 6,000 volt/3,000 amp surge pulse? (UL1449 3rd Edition Standard Test).
The Federal CID defined three grades of surge suppressors based on endurance testing at several surge test levels.
- Grade A is for 1,000 surge endurance with 6,000 volts, 3,000 amperes applied.
- Grade B is for 1,000 surges with 4,000 volts, 2,000 amperes.
- Grade C is for 1,000 surges with 2,000 volts, 1,000 amperes applied.
6) Also, what mode does the S20 operate in Mode 1 or Mode 2? "Mode 1 is the ground protection mode, since it doesn't surge the ground wire. Mode 2 surges the ground wire putting interconnected products at risk. Products claiming "all three modes of protection" are US Mode 2 products, since they divert surges to the safety ground wire. Avoid these."

From everything I have read the Inductor/Capacitor/Resistor type seems to be superior to MOV's. Can anyone answer these questions? I spent a lot of money on the S20 and I want to make sure it was well spent.

Thanks,
Sean

Message was edited by: Blk02

Message was edited by: Blk02

Message was edited by: Blk02

[Blk02_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 7/4/2011

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Anyone?? I assume that I am right since no one has responded. The S20BLK is inferior to series mode protection offered by SurgeX, Brickwall, Torus, & ZeroSurge.

[Blk02_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/15/2011

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5) In addition, what is the S20's endurance rating for the 6,000 volt/3,000 amp surge pulse? (UL1449 3rd Edition Standard Test).
The Federal CID defined three grades of surge suppressors based on endurance testing at several surge test levels.
Grade A is for 1,000 surge endurance with 6,000 volts, 3,000 amperes applied.
Grade B is for 1,000 surges with 4,000 volts, 2,000 amperes.
Grade C is for 1,000 surges with 2,000 volts, 1,000 amperes applied.