Line-R vs SurgeArrest - Can I use surge protector with a voltage regulator?

[Anonymous user]

Is it safe or feasible to use a surge protector in conjunction with a voltage regulator? I have high end PC and monitor and we often have under-voltages and also thunderstorms. Surge protector guards against lightening strikes but a voltage regulator helps with the longevity of sensitive electronic devices. I would rather not get a UPC, so would it be okay to use surge protector with voltage regulator? If so, which one do I plug into the wall outlet and which one should the actual electronic devices be plugged into? Or should the sequence even matter? Thanks.

[Anonymous user]

Good question. Needs to be answered.

[Anonymous user]

HI, I'm an electrical engineer so can give you some direction here:

Since voltage regulators tend to have transformers in them which A. Draw a lot of current when they are first plugged in (IE a "cold start") and B. generate spikes back on the line when they are unplugged/powered off, I'd recommend putting the Surge protector downstream of the Voltage Regulator to protect the surge protector from taking electrical hits which may cause it to be damaged or deteriorate over time.

Therefore:

WALL OUTLET <<--- VOLTAGE_REGULATOR <<---SURGE_PROTECTOR <<--- LOADS (Computer)

[BillP]

The LE1200 Automatic Voltage Regulator, does in fact have varying levels of Common Mode and Normal Mode surge suppression.

Surge Protection and Filtering

Surge energy rating

680 Joules

EMI/RFI Noise rejection (100 kHz to 10 MHz)

55 dB

Peak Current Common Mode

36 kAmps

Let Through Voltage Rating

< 450

[Anonymous user]

Battman - Thanks for the reply. I am not an engineer; have spent days trying to get info about purchasing the best surge protection to protect our computers. Last week, one APC tech rep told me that I should not use a surge protector with either the Line-R 1200 or our Back-UPS Pro 1500. Said that the surge protector could interfere with the Line- R or UPS sending a surge back to ground, as they are designed to do. Do you have an opinion on that ? Would love to know what to do - Line-R and UPS surge protection specs not nearly as robust as a dedicated surge protector.

She also said if I went ahead with including the surge protector in the chain, best option would be WALL OUTLET <<--- SURGE_PROTECTOR<<---VOLTAGE_REGULATOR  <<--- LOADS (Computer). So the surge protector would take the hit of the surge, protecting both the voltage regulator and the computer...

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

HI again,

After looking at the specs for the Line-R series the APC literature says it includes Surge Protection circuitry so you don't need to worry about buying an outboard Surge Arrestor.