Why do you not recommend cheap surge protectors? Are they any good?
In a nutshell, NO. The $10-$20 ones only provide minimal protection, and usually have no noise filtering. Our experience is that only the $30-$50 surge protectors really protect your system. Also, be sure that what you think is a surge protector is not really just a power tap which provides no protection at all. Turn it over and look at the label - if it does not say "surge protector" it is not. A UPS does have good surge protection built into it, which helps offset the cost of the UPS. Remember to protect modem, DSL, and cable lines as well!
October 2000
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