An OT question for the EE people.

[vtlion]

I did it.  I went high tech and bought an LCD TV last night.  My house is pretty small and we just didn't have the space, so we decided to go for it and get a flat pannel.  (It's cheaper to get a smaller TV than a bigger house  )

So I'm at the BestBuy and of course, the guy bringing out the TV goes through his pre-programmed schpeel about 'do you have cables' etc., and he tries to sell me a special "LCD TV surge protector" for thirty bucks!  I told him I would think about it, which means that I would think about it and buy it at a reasonable price somewhere else if I decided to.

anyway, my question is this: is the special LCD TV surge protector different in any way than an ordinary surge protector?  or is it just a gimmick?

[aaronstj]

Gimmick.  Don't buy the monster cables, either.

[vtlion]

Got the cheapo cables at Target 

Yeah, when I saw that surge protector I just pictured a bunch of Best Buy execs sitting around a meeting table.....

"OK, we need to figure out how to charge 30 bucks for this ordinary surge protector that's only worth 10... ideas?"

[blue05twin]

+1 aaronstj
Gimmick
Altho I do like monster cables for some things, speaker wires

[Gisser]

What LCD TV did you buy?

[annguyen1981]

CAUTION!!!

I don't work for BestBuy, so I'm not condoning their actions...

But you really should get a surge protector that has enough "joules" for protection.  I'm not familiar with TV's so I don't know what to look for.

[yamahonkawazuki]

+1

[CirclesCenter]

If you guys have any electronics question ask me. PM me, post, MS Messenger me, whatever. I hate to see people get ripped off.

Joules is a measurement of how much of a surge the the surge protector can handle. Better ones have protection plans that cover attached equipment for a value of like 5,000 - 50,000 dollars.

Also look at the response time and clamping voltage. Lower on both of those is better. A response time of 5 nanoseconds or less is good. Look for a clamping voltage of 330 Volts or less. (330 is actually rather good)

Look for more than just "UL listed" the better ones are UL RATED. (UL 1449 2nd revision is what you are looking for. If it doesn't carry at least the first revision it is JUNK.)

LCD surge protector?  WHAT A DAMNED MORON!!!!!!!!! 

Please go in and scream, "YOU ARE AN IDIOT!" in his face. Thanx.