Surge Protector Recommendations?

I have an old surge protector bought years ago and it is 600 joules I believe. Not long ago, there was thunder and because of that sparks came out of my old dell xps 15 9550 laptop where the hdmi port fried and a cable matters ethernet adapter cable also fried. Besides that, this old laptop works fine. However, will not be using it as my main laptop anymore.



I bought a new dell xps 15 9520 laptop and will be planning to use it as my main machine. Because of that incident, I also bought a new ethernet adapter and ethernet cable and even a new sabrent 4 port usb a hub. The sabrent 4 port usb a port hub works fine but I didn't want to try it. The 1 port where the ethernet fried still works though. But you recommend not using it anymore with the new laptop?



Now, I should get a new surge protector because of this incident right? I know it still works but I should definitely get a new one because it might cause damage to anything I connect to? I would be connecting my laptop charger to it, 2 external monitors, modem/router and charger for iphone etc. If so, how many joules should be the minimum? Is there any specific ones to avoid? Does it need to say grounded or whatever is the name? Thank you.

Thanks for your post. Issue here is the building I am in is very old. I spoke to someone else on this and they said all buildings where I am located are like this so nothing I can do right?


So just make sure buy a brand name surge protector then? What about the minimum amount of joules?

WXC said:

I understand, Newman. I didn't realize you were not in the states, sorry.

I really can't speak to the situation in another country, as they do differ. But unlikely you should try to do anything with it on your own.

As for joules on the surge protector, I would go a minimum of 2000. Perhaps higher depending upon what you're connecting to it. Mine is 3000. Plus, I have a 'whole house surge protector', on my electric meter base. That is something I do not advise you to attempt yourself. I have installed many at the base, but I don't advise you to do it.

Of course, as @Compumind points out in his post above, a UPS is another alternative, you may wish to consider, although considerably more expense.

Whatever your decision, I wish you the best.

I have a UPS there as well but the battery doesn't work I believe anymore. Would have to get a new battery. But could I use this UPS though temporarily though since it is plugged into the wall outlet? Last time I believe when I plugged the laptop into the UPS, it seem to charge. Is it because the UPS is plugged into the wall?

Compumind said:

@Newmann -

Here's any easy way to test -

Unplug your UPS from the wall outlet and plug your laptop into the UPS port which supports the battery.
Check your laptop to see if the UPS is charging the laptop and for how long.

The APC unit which I posted above is approximately $55 USD.

May I ask what country you are in?

Thanks.

I actually have a UPS bought from few years ago. I just never used it much at all and mostly it was connected to wall outlet but rarely powered on at all. There was a time period where after i bought this ups, the ups was unplugged for over a month or so. But then when I got back and plugged it back in, it seemed to work fine. Could that have caused damaged to it? Had this UPS for few years.


The last time I unplugged the UPS from the wall outlet and then plugged my laptop into the UPS, the UPS immediately powered off. That means the battery is no good right? When the UPS is plugged in and you power on the laptop, you do see numbers on the screen.


This it the exact UPS I have and you could buy it in the US as well.

Cyperpower CP1500AVRLCD

https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP.../dp/B000FBK3QK


Could I actually still use this UPS as a surge protector without buying replacement batteries for it? That way I don't need to buy a regular surge protector? Is it safe to use this UPS as a surge protector only until I get replacement batteries for this UPS?