Metal Oxide Varistor, MYH Series, surge protective device

These Protectors Are Sexy and Smart

Menon Technologies’ Digital Power Strip (DPS) and Home Theater Power Centre (HTPC) devices are claimed to have ­multiple levels of protection from power surges and lightning strikes.

There are three stages of surge and spike protection in the form of a GDT (gas discharge tube), MOV (metal oxide varistor) and TVS (transient voltage suppression diode).

These provide multiple ­redundancy and fail-safe ­protection. A fourth line of defence is the standard fuse, which ­safeguards against power ­overloads.

Coupled with the home’s circuit-breaker system, that’s a lot of ­fail-safes in the event of a surge or spike, said the company.

The products also feature ­dataline surge suppression for ­telephone/DSL, Ethernet and ­coaxial cable connections.

Both devices have a power-consumption meter and remote-control functionality. Users can switch the DPS or HTPC on or off remotely from up to about 8m away to help save electricity.

The DPS is fitted with six ­universal sockets while the HTPC has eight. Also there is an LED status-monitor.

At the heart of these devices is a logic-control processor which intelligently and ­continuously monitors the various component systems to ensure peak performance.

The microcontroller will execute a power-on self test for all systems during startup and an audible alarm will go off to indicate any faults that require user attention.

More features

The DPS and HTPC also have state-of-the-art multiple EMI/RFI ­filtering technologies to surpress AC noise to ensure that any ­electronic device connected to them is fed clean electrical power.

This, Menon Technologies claimed, dramatically ensures consistent peak performance from your home-theatre or stereo equipment.

Depending on the market it is sold in, the DPS is available in 2,500, 3,500 or 4,500 Joules models while the HTPC comes in 6,000 or 8,000 Joules versions. The number defines how much energy the surge protector can absorb without failure.

In the United States and Europe, the 8.000 Joules version of the HTPC would be priced at US$220 (RM748) while the 4,200 Joules DPS model would be tagged US$99 (RM336).

However, Menon Technologies said the prices would be lower if these products were to be ­marketed in Malaysia.