OT: Extension cable and surge protector query

Asked this in a DIY newsgroup, but no answer so thought I'd try here as
somebody is likely to know.

Want a 10m extension cable to provide at least two sockets for wireless
router and dect phone. Can't seem to buy a surge protector with a 10m cable
except a bulky reel one, which I don't want. Wondering if I can simply buy
a surge protector block multiplier (like the one on the link below) and plug
a normal (non surge) extension cable in to it. Assume items on the cable
won't be protected between themeselves, but the surge protector block will
stop anything hitting the extension cable and running up the wire and knock
out the wireless router, dect phone, or both.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...31304&doy=24m3

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 11:35:17 GMT, "news.ntlworld.com" <(E-Mail Removed)> mused:

>Asked this in a DIY newsgroup, but no answer so thought I'd try here as
>somebody is likely to know.
>
>Want a 10m extension cable to provide at least two sockets for wireless
>router and dect phone. Can't seem to buy a surge protector with a 10m cable
>except a bulky reel one, which I don't want. Wondering if I can simply buy
>a surge protector block multiplier (like the one on the link below) and plug
>a normal (non surge) extension cable in to it. Assume items on the cable
>won't be protected between themeselves, but the surge protector block will
>stop anything hitting the extension cable and running up the wire and knock
>out the wireless router, dect phone, or both.
>
>http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...31304&doy=24m3
>
I wouldn't use one of those, especially as you'll likely be plugging
multiple plug in power supplies (walwarts) into it. I usually throw
these kind of adapters in the bin and replace with a 4 gang trailing
lead when doing PAT tests.

You can get something like
<http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=CS12260>
and simply plug it into something like
<http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=PL09168>.

Much safer.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 18:28:11 +0000, Lurch <(E-Mail Removed)>
mused:

>On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 11:35:17 GMT, "news.ntlworld.com" <(E-Mail Removed)> mused:
>
>>Asked this in a DIY newsgroup, but no answer so thought I'd try here as
>>somebody is likely to know.
>>
>>Want a 10m extension cable to provide at least two sockets for wireless
>>router and dect phone. Can't seem to buy a surge protector with a 10m cable
>>except a bulky reel one, which I don't want. Wondering if I can simply buy
>>a surge protector block multiplier (like the one on the link below) and plug
>>a normal (non surge) extension cable in to it. Assume items on the cable
>>won't be protected between themeselves, but the surge protector block will
>>stop anything hitting the extension cable and running up the wire and knock
>>out the wireless router, dect phone, or both.
>>
>>http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...31304&doy=24m3
>>
>I wouldn't use one of those, especially as you'll likely be plugging
>multiple plug in power supplies (walwarts) into it. I usually throw
>these kind of adapters in the bin and replace with a 4 gang trailing
>lead when doing PAT tests.
>
>You can get something like
><http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=CS12260>
>and simply plug it into something like
><http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=PL09168>.
>
>Much safer.

But....

You're more likely to kill the DECT base and router with surges from
the phone line so you want something that protects the phone line as
well, like
<http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=FT00401>.
One of the more compact ones but the bulkier ones are cheaper.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

On Mar 24, 7:35 am, "news.ntlworld.com" <1...@2.com> wrote:
> Want a 10m extension cable to provide at least two sockets for wireless
> router and dect phone. Can't seem to buy a surge protector with a 10m cable
> except a bulky reel one, which I don't want. Wondering if I can simply buy
> a surge protector block multiplier (like the one on the link below) and plug
> a normal (non surge) extension cable in to it.

Don't know details of appliance safety codes on your side of the
pond. But in other jurisdictions, if a cord that long is required,
then safety demands installing more wall mounted AC receptacles. For
safety reasons, power strips are limited to 2 meters.

Meanwhile, you might ask why BT does not use such protectors in
their computer that connects to overhead wires everywhere in town.
Even before WWII, the effective protector earthed BEFORE surges could
even enter the building. That separation between an earthed protector
and the transistor is part of the protection system. What you are
seeking is a protector with no effective earthing. Why? Too close to
transistors AND 'more than 3 meter' to earth ground.

Also, all incoming utilities must make that 'less than 3 meter'
connection to earth. That's every wire in every cable either by a
direct connection or via a surge protector. Consider installing an
effective protector at the mains box to protect everything. After
all, that RCD, a smoke detector, your furnace controls - these are
also electronics that require protection and that are essential to
your safety.

Earthing is the protection. A protector is only a connecting device
to protection. A protector is not protection. With a 10 meter cable,
inside wall wiring, etc, then the protector has all but no earthing
connection - which is why BT also does not waste money on such
ineffective and grossly overpriced solutions.

On Mar 24, 6:50 pm, "w_tom" <w_t...@usa.net> wrote:
> On Mar 24, 7:35 am, "news.ntlworld.com" <1...@2.com> wrote:
>
> > Want a 10m extension cable to provide at least two sockets for wireless
> > router and dect phone. Can't seem to buy a surge protector with a 10m cable
> > except a bulky reel one, which I don't want. Wondering if I can simply buy
> > a surge protector block multiplier (like the one on the link below) and plug
> > a normal (non surge) extension cable in to it.
>
> Meanwhile, you might ask why BT does not use such protectors in
> their computer that connects to overhead wires everywhere in town.
Dumb comment. A telephone switch is high amp hard wired with thousands
of signal connections. It is not possible to use a plug-in suppressor
even if you wanted to.

>
> Earthing is the protection. A protector is only a connecting device
> to protection. A protector is not protection. With a 10 meter cable,
> inside wall wiring, etc, then the protector has all but no earthing
> connection - which is why BT also does not waste money on such
> ineffective and grossly overpriced solutions.
For accurate information on surges and surge protection try:
http://www.mikeholt.com/files/PDF/Li...ion_May051.pdf
- the title is "How to protect your house and its contents from
lightning: IEEE guide for surge protection of equipment connected to
AC power and communication circuits" published by the IEEE in 2005
(the IEEE is the dominant organization of electrical and electronic
engineers in the US).

And:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/p.../surgesfnl.pdf
- this is the "NIST recommended practice guide: Surges Happen!: how to
protect the appliances in your home" published by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (the US government agency
formerly called the National Bureau of Standards) in 2001

Both guides were intended for wide distribution to the general public
to explain surges and how to protect against them. The IEEE guide was
targeted at people who have some (not much) technical background. The
UK has some differences, primarily earthing, but the information
should be quite applicable.

As the IEEE guide describes, plug-in suppressors work by clamping the
voltage on all wires to the common ground at the suppressor. They do
not work primarily by earthing.

The suppressor in the original post has no specs available and I
wouldn't trust it in any application.

I agree with Lurch. All interconnected devices, like a computer and
printer, need to connect to the same surge protector. And if a device,
like a router, has external connections like phone, all those wires
have to run through the surge suppressor for protection. The voltage
on all wires connected through the suppressor (power, phone, cable
TV, ...) are clamped to the common ground at the suppressor and the
voltages are held to a value that is safe to the connected devices.

It would be better to move the equipment so you can eliminate the
extension cable.

--
bud--

On Mar 24, 6:50 pm, "w_tom" <w_t...@usa.net> wrote:
> On Mar 24, 7:35 am, "news.ntlworld.com" <1...@2.com> wrote:
>
> > Want a 10m extension cable to provide at least two sockets for wireless
> > router and dect phone. Can't seem to buy a surge protector with a 10m cable
> > except a bulky reel one, which I don't want. Wondering if I can simply buy
> > a surge protector block multiplier (like the one on the link below) and plug
> > a normal (non surge) extension cable in to it.
>
> Meanwhile, you might ask why BT does not use such protectors in
> their computer that connects to overhead wires everywhere in town.
Dumb comment. A telephone switch is high amp hard wired with thousands
of signal connections. It is not possible to use a plug-in suppressor
even if you wanted to.

>
> Earthing is the protection. A protector is only a connecting device
> to protection. A protector is not protection. With a 10 meter cable,
> inside wall wiring, etc, then the protector has all but no earthing
> connection - which is why BT also does not waste money on such
> ineffective and grossly overpriced solutions.
For accurate information on surges and surge protection try:
http://www.mikeholt.com/files/PDF/Li...ion_May051.pdf
- the title is "How to protect your house and its contents from
lightning: IEEE guide for surge protection of equipment connected to
AC power and communication circuits" published by the IEEE in 2005
(the IEEE is the dominant organization of electrical and electronic
engineers in the US).

And:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/p.../surgesfnl.pdf
- this is the "NIST recommended practice guide: Surges Happen!: how to
protect the appliances in your home" published by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (the US government agency
formerly called the National Bureau of Standards) in 2001

Both guides were intended for wide distribution to the general public
to explain surges and how to protect against them. The IEEE guide was
targeted at people who have some (not much) technical background. The
UK has some differences, primarily earthing, but the information
should be quite applicable.

As the IEEE guide describes, plug-in suppressors work by clamping the
voltage on all wires to the common ground at the suppressor. They do
not work primarily by earthing.

The suppressor in the original post has no specs available and I
wouldn't trust it in any application.

I agree with Lurch. All interconnected devices, like a computer and
printer, need to connect to the same surge protector. And if a device,
like a router, has external connections like phone, all those wires
have to run through the surge suppressor for protection. The voltage
on all wires connected through the suppressor (power, phone, cable
TV, ...) are clamped to the common ground at the suppressor and the
voltages are held to a value that is safe to the connected devices.

It would be better to move the equipment so you can eliminate the
extension cable.

--
bud--