Belkin BE112230-08 12-Outlet Surge Protector (Electronics)

I bought this product last year from Amazon for a home theater system based on the largely favorable reviews. Two weeks ago lightning hit a tree near the house, traveled down the trunk and entered the house wiring. We had a JBL Home Theater System (7 speakers subwoofer), a Panasonic Blu-ray player, and a Pioneer receiver, all new, plugged into our Belkin surge protector. It was grounded and operating properly according to its lights. Nevertheless, all components were damaged beyond use.All of this prompted me to do some research. The real news: none of Belkin's products, or other similar surge protectors, can protect electronic equipment during a catastrophic surge, such as that caused by a close lightning strike. They just aren't designed to do that. For them to have a chance to do their job, you need a whole house surge protector wired into your exterior electrical service (where the meter is and the power enters your house from the grid). Such a protector,...Read more

I'm not a huge review writer, but this product and the support provided by Belkin warrants some comments.I originally purchased this around February 2012. The product failed within the first 30 days while being hooked up to my computer and a TV. There was no smoke or surge - it simply shut off and never turned on again. No fuses tripped within my home... something apparently just shorted out inside the unit.I did a simple exchange with amazon and received unit #2. This one worked until this week when the same thing happened. Powers down and never provides power again. I know amazon no longer will be able to aid me in the process but I know there is also a manufacture warranty.I visit Belkin.com and find the warranty page. They have a process similar to Amazon which allows them to ship you the new product, then you return the defective one to them once the new one is received. I'm thinking this is great... nice and easy like amazon. So I...Read more