Question

Pondering Question: Cable Internet With Surge Protectors -- Do I Use Coax Surge Protectors?

Asked by: montecarlo1987

Hello. I have a question. I just switched from DSL to Cable Internet Service. WOW! LOVE IT! It is EarthLink Cable at 5.0 Mpbs, using a Motorola Cable Modem (This is an agreement between EarthLink and Time Warner Cable. I'm using Time Warner Cable's lines with EarthLink service.). Anyways, do I need to use a surge protector for the coax line between the outside of the house where the line comes in and the modem? I have spoken to some people and they tell me YES! They claim it will help prevent surges to the modem and ultimately protect my computer. YOU GOTTA HAVE IT! Others tell me NO! They claim that it will significantly slow down my speeds and/or can cause havoc with the modem. Are they both right? Should I do both? What should I do? Will it really show down my speeds? Will I really have potential harm if I don't use a surge protector? I understand that a surge protector for the modem power cord/plug is a good idea and will have no troubles using a surge protector that way. Please give me your imput and ideas, any suggestions. Also, please answer my concern regarding speed, moden issues, and computer protection. Thank you!        

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Asked On
2007-11-07 at 11:14:19ID22945599
Tags

cable

,

coax

,

surge

,

do

,

protector

Topics

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

,

Networking Hardware

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
4

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Answers

 

by: ylandrumPosted on 2007-11-08 at 07:52:06ID: 20242175

If you get a good coax protector, it should have no bearing whatsoever on line speed. If you do not, you can get high voltages coming in during bad weather by induction (lightning does not have to hit the line directly to create a surge). The consequences are a fried modem and possibly a fried PC as well, since there will also be a direct wire path from the modem to the PC via ethernet or USB (depending on how you are connected). If you have the ethernet going through a surge, then you will protect your PC but the modem will be a goner.

Get with either Earthlink or TIme Warner and see what they recommend in terms of rated protection level.

 

by: ncollingsPosted on 2008-04-15 at 04:02:10ID: 21357508

Hi,

I would recommend getting a surge protector for your modem. If you get a known brand you should not have any problems with reduced speeds and if you do they should offer support or a refund. APC are fairly reliable for power related products.
You have the option of putting a coax protector between the outsite cable and your modem thus prventing damage to the modem and anything connected or an ethernet filter between the modem and the computer to provide protection to just the computer. I suggest the first option.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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