Surge protector, or similar device - advice for a moron on all things electrical.

[A. BOOZER]

Unfortunately my ability and knowledge on all things electrical goes as far as being able to change a light bulb, or on a good day, change a fuse!

I have an electric powered gate to my property, the power supply/operating system has been hit several times when experiencing electrical storms. Is anyone able to please point me in the direction of some kind of surge protector which would help such failures. I do seem to remember something similar on an old electric Flymo some years ago - am I thinking on the right lines?

Any advice, including specifics (pictures would be much appreciated), couched in a language that a moron like myself can understand, would be much appreciated.

[Forkinhades]

Yes you can protect individual accessories or your whole system with an MOV. (Metal Oxide Varistor)

Crossy will be here shortly to advise of where to buy.

[Crossy]

The usual recommendation is a multi-tiered approach:-

• A large front-end surge arrestor at the supply source.
• A surge arrestor in the distribution board.
• Smaller (usually plug-in) arrestors at sensitive equipment.

We have a beefy arrestor in our distribution board (but nothing at the supply source as yet). Something like this:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dehn-Dehnguard-T275-Single-Pole-Surge-Arrester-A900-650-275V-20A-/150959806024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2325e7d648 this should take the edge off any major surges that arrive from the supply network. This is the only item I couldn't locate in Thailand, but that is going back some years, I'm sure you can get here now.

I also bought a load of these http://www.belkin.com/th/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=551466 not cheap but Belkin is well regarded.

The PC etc. is on one of these http://www.belkin.com/th/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=509298

Both Belkin devices came from IT City.

For our OP. If the gate controller is on a long cable (ours is nearly 60m) you need to put something at the controller end. If there's space you could install a socket and use one of the plug-in units, or if not use 3 naked MOVs (L-N, L-E and N-E). Something like the S20K275 on this page http://www.mynpe.com/mynpe/home1.php?search=varistor&Group=&Brand=&page=1&pagesize=7&lowerPrice=0&upperPrice=1000000 sleeve the wires of course.

I would also add a local ground rod right at the controller to help divert any nasties that tend to pull the ground wire up away from zero.