Advice on using Belkin surge protector with an 850W power supply.
Advice on using Belkin surge protector with an 850W power supply.
Hi All,
Hello everyone.
I’m switching my GPU from a GTX 1660 Super to the RX 7700XT, which required an upgrade to my power supply as well. I moved from a Corsair CX550 to an MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5.
The items I ordered are still pending delivery.
Currently, I’m using a Belkin surge protector, which has worked well so far.
I’ve noticed the new PSU has a 16A plug, while my Belkin only has 6A connectors.
I found several online discussions suggesting it’s okay to connect directly to the wall, and some recommend keeping the same Belkin model but using a 6A to 16A converter.
I also came across this 16A surge protector:
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0C9HBCQX3...sw...B1T2SD46Q0&th=1
I’d have liked a Belkin 16A model, but it wasn’t available.
Location: India
Please advise, especially regarding the 6/16A converter option with the Belkin.
Thanks.
I never would use a surge protector, because most of them don’t function properly. Further reading: https://forums. Better to purchase a genuine UPS. A line-interactive design with a pure sine wave output is ideal if you need protection against surges, power drops, and outages. Your power strip is likely too weak to handle the PSU (6A versus 16A) and might offer some defense against minor surges.
Your current power strip is a Belkin F9E400zb1.5MGRY. I found additional details on this page, though it doesn't match the exact SKU. The strip can handle up to 3250W for connecting a PSU and still leaves space. Besides the PSU, what other devices are connected to it? Also, are your outlets in India compatible with 13A UK plugs?
Thank you for the details. I appreciate the article link you shared.
My Belkin setup is linked to a 16A wall board. I’ve always considered adding a surge protector as a safety measure just in case something fails.
I only connect the power supply and the monitor (BenQ RL2455HM), while other parts like the router and speakers are on a separate extension board.
Could I use a 6A/16A converter with the same Belkin?
I also consulted ChatGPT, and here’s what it mentioned.
It is NOT intended for this purpose.
The device remains rated for 6A.
Its internal wiring, plug pins, and PCB traces are designed for 6A.
The joule rating doesn’t match its current handling capacity.
Important considerations:
Surge protection does not mean it can handle the load.
A surge protector might be strong enough electrically but unsafe due to heat.
Using a 6A converter with the same Belkin is not advisable.
You still have:
- 6A plug pins
- Thin internal copper
- Potential for heat buildup at contacts
Risks include:
- Plug heating
- Socket carbonization
- Possible melting over time
- Fire hazard in extreme cases
This question highlights the importance of understanding the correct appliance rating. Using a 6A plug with a 13A power strip can overload the circuit, posing safety risks.
I never would use a surge protector, because most of them don’t function properly. Further reading: https://forums. Better to purchase a genuine UPS. A line-interactive design with a pure sine wave output is ideal if you need protection against surges, power drops, and outages. Your power strip is likely too weak to handle the PSU (6A versus 16A) and might offer some defense against minor surges.
I learned more about the PSU I ordered, the MSI MAG A850GL, and noticed it includes many built-in functions. It seems a surge protector might not be necessary. I’ve chosen to connect it directly to the wall socket instead. Regarding a UPS, since I already have a sine-wave inverter, I’m confident it’s sufficient. Thank you for the advice.
I'm uncertain about the source of the 16A plug rating information. Are you referring to the C14 connector on the back of the PSU, usually rated at 10A for areas with a standard 230V AC 50Hz mains supply?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320
That Belkin protector is capable of handling a broad range of mains connectors, such as the modern UK 13A, older UK 5A round pins, and various European, US, and possibly Australian plug types.
The Belkin strip offers a power rating of 1500W at a maximum of 250V. Dividing 1500 by 250 gives approximately 6A. This raises concerns, as connecting a 3kW electric heater with a 13A plug could overload the metal contacts. It’s not intended for 13A, though using a 5A fuse with a 13A plug is acceptable if the Belkin cable is properly matched.
For those unfamiliar with British mains plugs, even though they support up to 13A, it’s possible to install fuses rated at 10A, 7A, 5A, 3A, or 2A to safeguard less demanding devices. A common example is a table lamp with a 5W LED, which would require a 2A or 3A fuse in the mains plug. This safeguards the thin 0.5mm² mains lead leading to the lamp, which cannot handle 13A.
Because of significant current spikes during switching into ATX power supplies—sometimes surpassing 100A—I recommend adding a 10A fuse in the mains plug, even though a 13A fuse might be available.
Although the MSI MAG A850GL is an 850W unit, you should still be able to use the Belkin adapter, though at a cost of INR 1,299. It likely only includes basic MOVs to suppress voltage spikes.
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/qu...protection
Most reliable ATX power supplies already incorporate at least one MOV, along with Class-X and Class-Y mains filter capacitors. I believe adding an external surge protector isn’t necessary, though I personally prefer more advanced filters with inductors and capacitors for professional setups.
https://www.newark.com/c/passive-co...=s...nnectivity¤t-rating=16a
As @Aeacus mentions, these inexpensive surge protectors likely offer minimal protection for ATX power supplies, despite the manufacturer’s claims. I prefer a more robust APC 1500VA UPS with two 12V 9A batteries.
Not the connector on the back of the PSU. Was discussing the plug that connects to the back of the PSU and onto the wall or surge protectors.
The picture I provided above can help clarify what I mean.
The very first socket from the left is a 16A socket. Others are smaller 6A ones.
My Belkin only has those 6A sized ones. It doesn't have the first big sized one.
So, if I need to use my Belkin to connect a 16A plug, I would have to fit a 6A to 16A converter into the Belkin, and then I could plug in the PSU plug. But I've been told that this isn't a good idea since the Belkin is designed for up to 6A, and using a 16A might damage the electronics.
Another possibility is to modify the PSU cable itself. Instead of a 16A cable that comes with the MSI Mag 850 GL PSU, I could use the 6A cable I'm currently using with my Corsair CX550. But I'm not sure if that's a wise move. I wonder why MSI chose to provide a 16A cable rather than a 6A one. I'm also a bit worried about this.