Review on Tripp Lite Protector INSURANCE ULTRABLOK by John Stefko

reviews) on the subject of surge limiters and their different modes of operation. What matters to you might be different than what I think about it, but here's what makes sense to me. 1. Anything with a hard drive (game consoles, computers without their own battery, desktop hard drives) as well as a game console TV and anything you need or want to use when the lights go out: should run on backup battery. which has built-in surge protection. You need both. 2. Other sensitive electronics (stereo, internet router, etc.) need "good, reliable" surge protection. To me that means one that shuts off and doesn't lose power when damaged. What I learned while looking into a new backup battery and replacing a bunch of surge protectors is how much I didn't know on the subject. Many if not most surge protectors were designed back when (I think) many people didn't have backup batteries for their computers and it was important that the surge protector NOT died. Instead, it became an expensive power strip and continued to leak power UNPROTECTED. I assume the lights went out or changed color, if you don't notice the next "event" could fry your stereo. Personally I would like the surge protector to die. It's easy to identify why the stereo has stopped working and to replace the surge protector. I want to do that. Replace the surge protector for $15-$30. The old man died for a good cause. I bought this muffler before I looked into the issue and Tripp Lite doesn't advertise their products as dying for a purpose so I'm going to use this thing in the kitchen to protect something that costs less. I've since replaced my surge suppressors with a brand that specifically says they'll die when they stop protecting. I actually found an article that explains the circuit and how it works. Enough complained. I hope this helps someone. Do a little research and find out what you are buying.