Re: System Saver IIgs -- ID of burned part?

[w_tom <w_tom1@usa.net>]

    "MOVs designed to absorb lightning strikes"   is exactly what those who promote
ineffective plug-in surge protection encourage.   MOVs don't absorb or stop surges
- made obvious just by reading MOV manufacturer's specs - the data sheets.  MOVs
only shunt a surge from one wire to all others.  If that other wire is an input to
your computer,  then the MOV has provided a surge with more paths to damage a
computer.  It is why MOVs located too close to transistors and too far from earth
ground may even make surge damage more likely.

  Effective surge protection shunts a surge from one wire to earth ground.  Ground
that is less than 10 feet away.  Also surge protection is properly sized - another
important factor obtained from  those MOV data sheets.

  Many would have you believe MOVs age.  They degrade.  It is why the joules
ratings are so important and why a plug-in surge protection - rated at 345 joules
but only providing 115 joules  - is undersized.  There are so many half truths
about surge protection.   One would say that surge protectors age - by forgetting
to mention the 'aging' is only due to a grossly overpriced surge protector
containing insufficient MOVs.   Surge protector life expectancy  increases
exponentially with joules ratings.  So why do so many plug-in surge protectors
forget to add sufficient $0.05 and $0.30 parts - and yet  charge $20 or $70?   Are
they selling surge protection - or just an image associated with urban legends and
with a common lie  - that  "MOVs designed to absorb lightning strikes"

Stephen Shaw wrote:

> These are MOVs (metal oxide varistors) designed to absorb lightning strikes and
> other transients emanating from the power line. Radio Shack should have
> replacements. These do age.