Extension Leads & Surge Protection

[MacB]

I'm getting a bit concerned that we have some pricey kit hooked up to some very old(15+ years) and basic extension leads. So I was thinking about renewing them and, as usual with electrical stuff, I'm clueless. Is it worth getting surge protection, individual switches and any other fancy bits? or is an extension lead just that and any old one will do?

For reference I'm thinking of buying 5 new ones, 1or2m cables and 6 to 8 sockets.

 

[StuAff]

Surge protection- definitely. Check the specs and (if included) the level of equipment cover. I've got a Belkin Surgemaster (Mac Pro & associated kit) and an Aldi or Lidl (forget which) one (TV etc), both have worked fine for several years. The surge protection on the previous Belkin failed, replaced under warranty without any hassle and the replacement's still going strong.
Individual switches- if there's kit that you want on 24 hours, and some you don't, on the same extension, handy, I should imagine.

 

[fossyant]

Surge - deffo. I think we have a smart Belkin one (god knows which) on the main PC - 6 sockets and it has a power current monitor. On other 'items' then we just have a standard surge protected extension (for the wife's sewing machines).

 

[MacB]

cheers folks, I'll toddle along to Maplins later in the week and see what they have on offer