Does it matter how I orient the Zero Surge unit?

All Zero Surge products will work in any physical orientation. Plug in units have feet on one side but you can place the unit on the other sides. As the product is heavy and in a metal cabinet, you might want to add some simple felt pads.

Will using a 20 amp product give me increased protection over a 15 amp product?

Using a 20 amp product does not provide any extra surge protection. Our surge protection works the same. Choose a 20 amp plug-in product if you are protecting a larger piece of equipment that is drawing in excess of 15 amps. (This is not a common application) Our 20 amp plug-in products have a 20 amp plug which will not plug into the more common 15 amp wall receptacle. It also will not make a sound system work better. Contrary to popular belief, most sound systems (even the more expensive ones) draw under 15 amps and are perfectly fine with a 15 amp Zero Surge product. The most common use for a 20 amp product is a rack system that could have dozens of components all drawing from one 20 amp receptacle. Our FF models and OEM modules are sized for 20 amps and work in both 15 amp and 20 amp circuits. Since these models are hardwired, we made it easy to only have one choice.

Is Zero Surge compatible with AFCI and GFCI protection?

Arc-Fault Circuit Interruption (AFCI)and Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (GFCI) products do not affect the function of Zero Surge products. Zero Surge products do not interfere with the function of AFCI or GFCI products. You can safely use all three products together.

Why can’t I have a longer cord (or use an extension cord)?

Any cord adds impedance to a circuit. That impedance is a resistance that causes the cord to release energy in the form of heat. The longer the cord, the more heat is released. That is why the building code required electrical receptacles to be placed a certain maximum distances allowing for proper coverage. In most rooms, the code requires receptacles spaces at maximum of 12 feet. That is why most cords are 6 feet long. Kitchens require receptacles at 6 feet spacing so that is why your toaster or coffee maker has a 3 foot cord. If you need more receptacles or one closer to your devices, it is better to have an electrician add a receptacle. Extension cords are only to be for temporary use and are not to be run between rooms, through windows, doors or walls.

Can I still use Zero Surge if I have a “whole building” or “panel” surge protector installed?

Yes, you can use Zero Surge in a building that has a “whole building” surge protector. In most cases, the Zero Surge unit will do all the work to protect your electronics. Whole building surge protectors are not good for protecting sensitive electronics because they do not respond to the more common lower voltage surges (<1000 volts) and do not work at all if the surge is based on an increase in amperage.

My old surge protector or my UPS is showing an “open ground”. Can I use Zero Surge?

Zero Surge technology does not rely on the ground line for protecting your computer. It is safe for your electronics to use Zero Surge in a receptacle that is not grounded. Grounding is a human (and pet) safety issue so you should consult with a licensed electrician to find out how to mitigate this safety issue.

Does Zero Surge offer a line Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS aka battery back-ups)?

There are a few reasons that Zero Surge does not currently offer a line of UPS. Zero Surge protection never wears out. All batteries have a finite lifespan. Combining the two devices could mean having to dispose of a perfectly good surge protector. Zero Surge protection circuits are the same for a whole range of applications. Batteries used in UPS units come in different chemistries (lead and lithium so far) and they are sold in a large variety of battery capacities (normally sold by their VA rating). UPS units are extremely price competitive, and our smaller size would not allow the economics of competing in that market. It makes more sense for you to select the right UPS for your specific needs and place a Zero Surge ahead of the UPS. For example, say you have a need for a 650VA UPS today. You use a Zero Surge 2R15W ahead of the UPS. A year from now, you expand your system to add a couple more devices that need battery backup, so you purchase a 1000 VA UPS. Since you are still under a total load of 15 amps, you would not need to purchase another Zero Surge unit. This is the value of keeping a separate Zero Surge unit.

Can I plug your product into a GFCI or AFCI outlet?

Yes. Zero Surge's technology is compatible with GFCI or AFCI outlets. When using our products in an ungrounded environment, we recommend replacing the receptacle with a GFCI, labeling it as ungrounded. This adds a level of safety protection should there be a short in the connected equipment.

Does surge induced damage occur all at once or over a period of time?

Both ways, depending on the circumstances… A violent electrical storm can induce enough surge energy into power lines to destroy your computer in an instant, if left improperly protected. Smaller, internally generated surges can, over time, “wear out” delicate circuits, causing intermittent problems, and slowing down the operation of a system. Series Mode surge suppression technology, as designed by ZERO SURGE Inc., employs a surge reactor that serves as a power line filter, much like the oil filter in your car. The surge reactor filters out damaging energy, just as your oil filter removes impurities that can destroy your engine over time. The result with a good oil filter or a good power line filter is longer, trouble-free operation.

If Shunt Mode “All three modes” suppressors can cause data problems, what should I look for in a power line surge suppressor?

Experts recommend the Series Mode type for modern computing systems, or any sensitive electronic system that may be interconnected with other electronic systems. A heavy duty surge reactor acts to deflect surges rather than diverting surges where they can do further harm. The following list of specifications should be carefully examined and compared: Let-through voltage at maximum rated surge (not simply clamping level, which is the onset of clamping) using standard test pulses. (Let-through voltage is the amount of the surge voltage that is let-through to your protected equipment and should be as low as possible. 180 volts is the theoretical lower limit for 120 volt power lines). Service life for various surge levels (including maximum rated surge). A service life of 200 minimum worst-case surges is recommended for a five year life in high exposure locations. Filter response. (i.e. greater than 30 dB at 100 kHz.) The important frequency range for surges is 5 kHz to 500 kHz. Greater than 20 dB at 100 kHz is desirable. Safety Ground Wire contamination should be avoided if equipment is to be interconnected. Suppressors that claim “all three modes of protection” divert surges to the Safety Ground Wire and should not be used with interconnected equipment. Self-test or failure indication (not “protection working” indicators which are often little more than power applied indicators).

FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 11

Q: My old surge protector or my UPS is showing an “open ground”. Can I use Zero Surge?

Zero Surge technology does not rely on the ground line for protecting your computer. It is safe for your electronics to use Zero Surge in a receptacle that is not grounded. Grounding is a human (and pet) safety issue so you should consult with a licensed electrician to find out how to mitigate this safety issue.

Q: Does Zero Surge offer a line Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS aka battery back-ups)?

There are a few reasons that Zero Surge does not currently offer a line of UPS. Zero Surge protection never wears out. All batteries have a finite lifespan. Combining the two devices could mean having to dispose of a perfectly good surge protector. Zero Surge protection circuits are the same for a whole range of applications. Batteries used in UPS units come in different chemistries (lead and lithium so far) and they are sold in a large variety of battery capacities (normally sold by their VA rating). UPS units are extremely price competitive, and our smaller size would not allow the economics of competing in that market. It makes more sense for you to select the right UPS for your specific needs and place a Zero Surge ahead of the UPS. For example, say you have a need for a 650VA UPS today. You use a Zero Surge 2R15W ahead of the UPS. A year from now, you expand your system to add a couple more devices that need battery backup, so you purchase a 1000 VA UPS. Since you are still under a total load of 15 amps, you would not need to purchase another Zero Surge unit. This is the value of keeping a separate Zero Surge unit.

Q: Can I plug your product into a GFCI or AFCI outlet?

Yes. Zero Surge's technology is compatible with GFCI or AFCI outlets. When using our products in an ungrounded environment, we recommend replacing the receptacle with a GFCI, labeling it as ungrounded. This adds a level of safety protection should there be a short in the connected equipment.

Q: Does surge induced damage occur all at once or over a period of time?

Both ways, depending on the circumstances… A violent electrical storm can induce enough surge energy into power lines to destroy your computer in an instant, if left improperly protected. Smaller, internally generated surges can, over time, “wear out” delicate circuits, causing intermittent problems, and slowing down the operation of a system. Series Mode surge suppression technology, as designed by ZERO SURGE Inc., employs a surge reactor that serves as a power line filter, much like the oil filter in your car. The surge reactor filters out damaging energy, just as your oil filter removes impurities that can destroy your engine over time. The result with a good oil filter or a good power line filter is longer, trouble-free operation.

Q: If Shunt Mode “All three modes” suppressors can cause data problems, what should I look for in a power line surge suppressor?

Experts recommend the Series Mode type for modern computing systems, or any sensitive electronic system that may be interconnected with other electronic systems. A heavy duty surge reactor acts to deflect surges rather than diverting surges where they can do further harm. The following list of specifications should be carefully examined and compared: Let-through voltage at maximum rated surge (not simply clamping level, which is the onset of clamping) using standard test pulses. (Let-through voltage is the amount of the surge voltage that is let-through to your protected equipment and should be as low as possible. 180 volts is the theoretical lower limit for 120 volt power lines). Service life for various surge levels (including maximum rated surge). A service life of 200 minimum worst-case surges is recommended for a five year life in high exposure locations. Filter response. (i.e. greater than 30 dB at 100 kHz.) The important frequency range for surges is 5 kHz to 500 kHz. Greater than 20 dB at 100 kHz is desirable. Safety Ground Wire contamination should be avoided if equipment is to be interconnected. Suppressors that claim “all three modes of protection” divert surges to the Safety Ground Wire and should not be used with interconnected equipment. Self-test or failure indication (not “protection working” indicators which are often little more than power applied indicators).

Does it matter how I orient the Zero Surge unit?
Will using a 20 amp product give me increased protection over a 15 amp product?
Is Zero Surge compatible with AFCI and GFCI protection?
Why can’t I have a longer cord (or use an extension cord)?
Can I still use Zero Surge if I have a “whole building” or “panel” surge protector installed?
My old surge protector or my UPS is showing an “open ground”. Can I use Zero Surge?
Does Zero Surge offer a line Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS aka battery back-ups)?
Can I plug your product into a GFCI or AFCI outlet?
Does surge induced damage occur all at once or over a period of time?
If Shunt Mode “All three modes” suppressors can cause data problems, what should I look for in a power line surge suppressor?

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