avr = surge protector?

[userfriendly]

Is it the same thing or do they have different functions?

[Picard]

They serve different fuctions.

An automatic voltage regulator REGULATES the voltage e.g. 220V to a permanent 220V current. not 219V, not 221V. Acts like an antivirus.

A surge protector PREVENTS voltage spikes accross a current. e.g. thunder and lightning. Acts like a firewall.

[userfriendly]

Pls explain this further. Lets say we have a laptop with fully charged battery pluged into an AVR which is then connected to the power outlet.

Scenario 1. If the voltage suddenly goes up to 230 Volts for whatever reason then the AVR should protect it by regulating the voltage, keeping it at 220V. Is this correct?

Scenario 2. There is a lightning storm, then the AVR is pretty much useless? Shoudn't tha AVR's fuse blow therefore protecting the computer?

Scenario 3. Power goes out and returns after a few seconds. You were able to continue working bec of the battery. Is there risk to your computer from the sudden inflow of electricity?

[Picard]

Scenario 1: Yes. But remember, the laptop is also connected to an adapter because it never needs anything more than 50V which means even if you are not connected via an AVR, if current goes up beyond 220V, the laptop is less likely to burn. The adapter WILL or MIGHT burn.

Scenario 2: Yes the AVR's fuse will blow but there is also a possbility for an adapter burn out. AVR 's may not be able to handle sudden surge spikes of bigger proportions. Surge protectors give better protection from lightnings. It's still better to connect your laptop to a surge protector than an AVR alone.


Scenario 3: This is where the AVR serves its purpose.

[Picard]

For laptops, QUALITY surge protectors are enough for protection. For desktops though, I would always recommend both an AVR and a surge protector.

[userfriendly]

Thanks.

[mikmik316]

dahil mahirap makahanap ng quality AVR... suggest ko na lang Panther Surge Protector... 400 petot lang sa Ace... sigurado ka pa it works... not unlike other crappy AVRs na nabibili kung saan saan...

The choice will be a Panther or... go the distance... UPS for a better permanent solution.

[Alpha_One]

Pls explain this further. Lets say we have a laptop with fully charged battery pluged into an AVR which is then connected to the power outlet.

Scenario 1. If the voltage suddenly goes up to 230 Volts for whatever reason then the AVR should protect it by regulating the voltage, keeping it at 220V. Is this correct?

Scenario 2. There is a lightning storm, then the AVR is pretty much useless? Shoudn't tha AVR's fuse blow therefore protecting the computer?

Scenario 3. Power goes out and returns after a few seconds. You were able to continue working bec of the battery. Is there risk to your computer from the sudden inflow of electricity?

Scenario 1: Theoretically, yes. Note that voltages of 200-240 V are perfectly "normal" and expected (the voltage is allowed to vary by 10%). Of course, equipment may be more sensitive than the "margin of error" allows, this is where an AVR is in order.

Scenario 2: The best protection in a lightning storm is taking out the plug. Remember that lightning can jump the gap between the cloud to the ground. It'll have no problems with that centimeter gap between two ends of a fuse/breaker. Surge protectors however, may guard against sudden "normal" spikes (motors coming on, for example, produces voltage spikes).

Scenario 3: With a good UPS? No.