[RFI] Brickwall plus ISOBAR

[Jim Brown]

On 9/17/2012 10:04 AM, AE4CW wrote:
> Jim, is there a preferred way to extend the number of outlets from one of
> the Brickwall surge protector?  For example could an existing ISOBAR be
> used?

Yes.



>   And, would it be advisable to remove the MOV's in the ISOBAR?

It's OK to have MOVs downstream of the series-mode box, but if you want 
to use it elsewhere you should remove them.  .

>   I'm
> presuming that every 120V outlet in the shack that has any interconnected
> equipment should all be power from one branch circuit.

Yes, and that's also an excellent strategy for minimizing hum and buzz.  
A single 20A circuit will easily handle all the radio and computer gear 
in the average ham shack up to and including a 600W amp, even an SO2R 
setup, as long as only one rig is transmitting at high power at a time.  
Note also that SurgeX makes suppressors that are built into NEMA boxes 
to be installed in a branch circuit between the breaker panel and the 
equipment.  I specified these in those installed systems that I designed.

>   Or perhaps, a second
> Brickwall could be used on a second branch circuit.

I can't think of a reason why you would need a second unit or second 
circuit unless equipment was in a different location in the house.

> How about protecting 240V circuits?  That would seem necessary as well for
> 240V equipment (amps) interconnected with 120V equipment.

It is an issue, and SurgeX makes a 240V unit that I used to specify for 
big video projectors, which in those days were VERY expensive and often 
very sensitive to power line issues.  But in a ham shack, it can get 
into that same cost/benefit ratio that I ran into with big audio power 
amps.  :)

> The computer network in the shack is a wireless repeater/bridge with short
> CAT5 to the computers and powered on the same 120V branch as the rest of the
> shack.  OK?

Sounds relatively safe.

73, Jim  K9YC