Customer Reviews

Tripp Lite ISOBLOK2-0 2-Outlet Isobar Premium Surge Protector 1410 Joules

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review is being written on Amazon.com 8/6/2011 for the Tripp Lite ISOBLOK2-0 surge protector.

Pro's: metal enclosure, low clamping voltage, high joule rating

Con's: unusual mounting method, bulky, best for vertical outlets

I've used other Tripp-Lite surge protecgtors for many years.

Mounting:
The manufacturer picture does not make it clear how this unit mounts to the wall outlet. As other reviewers have pointed out, the plug on the back of this box is not centered. The box plugs into one of the outlets in a standard wall jack, and the other wall jack outlet is not covered, depending on which outlet you use. The wall cover stays in place, so the surge protector does not mount flush with the wall. A rubber bumper helps keep the box fairly level with the wall. However, the unit still wobbles. The protector is best used on a flush mounted wall jack that is oriented vertically with the protector plugged into the bottom jack. Other outlets, such as horizontal or ceiling mounted jacks (example for a garage door opener), or surface jacks found in some utility areas, wouldn't be the best application. A small bracket helps keep the surge protector in place by attaching to the switch plate cover. However, even with the bracket in place, the surge protector can be removed from the wall jack.

Specifications:
The joule rating (larger is better) is excellent for a small surge protector. The clamping voltage (lower is better) is similarly excellent. The LED indicators for protection present and wiring check are bright and easy to see and interpret.

Other:

A paper sticker on the side of the surge projector states "made in China". Previous other Tripp-Lite model protectors I have purchased were made in USA.

Summary:

The specifications of this protector and reputation of Tripp-Lite for surge protectors make this purchase worth it for me.

The problems that I had before its use included glitches from power spikes. The product now cleaned up the power to my equipment and I no longer have any power related problems. It is kind of clunky, though, as the thing sticks out so far, but it is held fast using the center screw. I recommend, now, going with the corded model quad; much better.

I use corded surge protectors as well, but I like using this behind my TV/DVD/Cable boxes. I don't need the extra length of an extension cord, so this arrangement keeps everything off the floor. You only need to plug this in to one outlet in your wall, so you can use the bottom outlet for surge protection and still have the top wall outlet for a lamp or whatever. The surge protection has performed well so far. It does have sort of an industrial look (though less so than the black 1410 Joules version), which can be a plus or minus depending on your personal preference.

looks good ,seems to work good, just have to wait on the damn lightning, sucks..... hasn't rained for ah while, darn it, guess i`ll get back to this review

Not sure if the reviewers that complain about the securing strap on this received the same product I did. My strap is a very short, stiff right angle bracket that allows the unit to be securely fastened to a wall outlet. Attaching the strap, which is adjustable, can prevent the bumper behind the unit from touching the wall but that doesn't really matter if it is fastened to the outlet. Since I had a newer outlet I probably didn't even need the strap since the Surge Protector fit very snuggly into the outlet. Haven't had any power issues to report, but I will update should that happen.

It is a large metal box that connects to the upper outlet with a rubber bumper over the lower outlet. Unlike many duplex surge protectors there is not way to fasten it to the center screw of the cover for the outlet. There is a metal tab that can be screwed to the top of the Tripp Lite surge protector and then lip over the plastic cover plate. Not a very strong attachment point and more likely to crack or break off the cover plate than to keep the surge protector in place.

It is a good surge protector with isolation of the inbound and outbound current. It is a middle tier surge protector that is better than the cheap ones with only a MOV chip soldered to the receptacle which once the MOV chip blows with a surge will channel more current down the ground line which easily damages electronic equipment. The cheap MOV surge suppressors need to have at a minimum a light that lets you know when the MOV has blown. The Tripp Lite Isoblock2 has LED lights and if the red one is ever lit then it is time to dump it in the trash and buy a replacement unit as it will increase the chance of a surge damaging any attached equipment. For the highest level of protection equipment needs to be on an isolated ground as with equipment in hospitals where no failure is acceptable. This would certainly be wise to put into place for expensive home entertainment equipment and provides far greater protection at a lower cost than all the repackaged surge protectors sold by the home entertainment industry hucksters for this use.

I am using this unit to provide some protection for a home furnace's control board from surges from our local utility, PG&E. I would not use something like this for a computer or expensive television as it is only a simple and relatively crude device. The warranty reflects this as it provides prorated protection and mentions covering only up to the cost of the surge protector so don't buy this thinking that Tripp Lite will cover a damaged large screen TV or computer.

For true protection a dual transformer line conditioner is needed to insure both full surge protection and that line voltages are kept within the limits needed for the attached electronic equipment. Only line conditioners like the ones from Oneac or special UPS devices that provide current from the battery which is in turn constantly being recharged will truly isolate the equipment from the line current coming into the building. Only these devices will insure that the minimum voltage needed is being supplied at all times to the attached equipment. Sags are more common than surges and can be equally damaging to electronic equipment and surge protectors like the Isoblok do nothing when this is occurring.

In general it is more effective and cheaper to buy a $250 whole house surge protector and have a licensed electrician attach it in line with the power from the local utility than it is to buy a houseful of individual surge protectors which may or may not protect electronic equipment. A whole house protector also protects the electronics for today's wall ovens and dryers and other appliances which are very expensive to repair and cannot be protected with plug-in protectors like the Tripp Lite Isoblok2 or similar surge protection devices.

I use the Tripp lite industrial line at home and at work, this one will protect my Samsung fridge. Tripp Lite always makes good quality products. It fits the plug well, not much more can be said, I'm not an electrical engineer, so I don't know how to actually test it.

My treadmill was knocking off my DSL connection whenever it was in use. The built in RFI/EMI noise filtering cleared it all up. Now my treadmill doesn't cut off my internet connection. Plus it's also a great little Surge Protector.