Hi all, I'm just wondering is there a difference in quality between power boards? (you know the boards that connect your electronic devices to the power switch on walls) Some are cheaper than others, you can get them in the $2 shops for a few bucks, whereas others can be $20+. I just don't want one that'll wreck my computer and monitor in the long run if there's a chance. If there is a difference, recommend any good ones? Thanks
Is There a Difference in Quality between Power Boards?
magical journey on 02/11/2014 - 11:27
Comments
i don't agree with that. there will always be differences in build quality & features as well as price differences simply due to the country they are manufactured in.
What does the "country they are manufactured in" have to do with anything these days.
brands like hpm are manufactured in australia, usually cost a bit more but are also usually of higher quality
a $4 "made in china" power board that complies with as/nzs 3105 is covered by the same statutory guarantee as $10 hpm unit.
maybe you should look at all the recalled powerboards http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/952814 . these had approvals.
They won't wreck your computer but I've seen cheap (possibly non-compliant) ones mentioned once or twice in Fair Trading recalls, for bad contact = overheating hazard. If you are worried, get one from Bunnings. It's a work expense for you anyway.
Probably wont wreck your computer, but do yourself a favour and open up one of those $2 ones from the discount store. You wont use any of those $2 boards after seeing how they're made.
Buy one of the expensive ones, the extra $20 and you can get a decent surge arresting power board where the metal contacts are moulded into the plastic, not floating between two thin plastic walls. They'll last years longer and you'll have the extra peace of mind.
Several years back I bought a pack of 4 cheapies from a major hardware retailer. I opened one up and I was appalled at what I saw. Where the wires were welded to the brass strips, the wires were damaged so that less than half of the strands were connected. If you fully loaded up these boards then that would be a hotspot with a potential for melting the plastic. I dumped those boards and never bought cheapies again.
I use a Huntkey 8 port surge protected powerboard. Lasted me several years now. It's cheap and gets the job done.
If you value your electronics you'll buy a top of the line Power board with surge protection. I bought a Belkin PureAV Series 8-Way Isolator. They are sturdily built and you can see and feel the quality. They retail at shops for about $230 or on Ebay Australia starting around the $170 mark.
Even so, I still unplug the board from the wall if there's an electrical storm around. Just have to trust that the board does its job if nobody is at home when a storm hits.
Another thing that can zap your gear is when the power comes back on after a blackout. There can be a massive surge through the mains. I had a PC's power unit blown some years ago. The technician I took it to said he'd had five more come in that day with the same cause. As far as I know you can't claim against the power company for damage to your electrical gear.
Another solution is to get an electrician to install an isolator in your mains switch box, if your not renting the house that is because it can cost around $300 and upwards.
There are definitely differences.
I have seen a 'cheapie' board catch fire at WAY below its rated current. Never again will I buy a cheap power board.
Under NO circumstances would I buy a power board of a certain auction site – meets Australian standards – umm no – Saying something meets standards and then putting a ‘fake’ logo on it does not make it safe.
In my mind it’s kinda like cars – All modern cars in Australia comply with standards, but given the choice between models in an accident which one would you rather be in? (the budget model or the meets and exceeds standards versions)
$170 for a powerboard, what are you smoking?
Ive got an array of powerboards from the $2 bunnings jobs to the $50 arlec ones. It really depends in what you're doing. If your unplugging/replugging, then get something over the $20 mark (hpm, arlec, etc the electrical brands, not the overpriced belkin stuff). But if the plugs stay in & you dont need to power them off&on individually, then the $2-5 cheapies are just fine. I've had some of mine since the 90's & they're still fine.
Goto Bunnings/Masters, not DSE, HN, etc as you oay for marketing not neccesarily quality.
Don't take my word for the dangers, just go to
http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1065535
Here's a quote from that page re a cheap power-board.
" What are the defects?
The electrical contacts of the sockets are poorly aligned and the plastic enclosure does not meet the flammability requirements of the applicable standard.
What are the hazards?
There is a risk of overheating and fire.
Dates available for sale
1st December 2009 - 7th November 2014"There are many more such recalls. I bought a couple of cheap ones from a hardware store and on one of them the switch was sparking. I checked it with my own tester and it came up as unsafe. I returned both to the hardware store for a refund but they would only refund for one as there was no recall notice. I cut the cable off the other one and tossed it. Six months later and guess what? Yep, there is a recall notice on those boards. I should have kept it in storage and waited for the inevitable recall.
No as long as they comply with standard Australia.