Testing

Methodology

To test this item I needed a way of creating a surge simulation. I achieved this by using a laboratory power supply with a variable voltage selector. I connected the power supply to the correct 12-volt pins on the PowerFuse and started by delivering a 12-volt charge to the device and seeing what voltage came out of the other side. As I predicted it came out as a 12-volt charge. The test was then repeated with more voltages up to 15 volts; I thought better not use 16 volts as the lab packs have a greater degree of inaccuracy when dealing with higher voltages.

To take measurements I used a digital voltmeter.

Results

The results are conclusive, the PowerFuse works in reducing the voltage to an acceptable amount but does it really protect against a sudden high voltage surge? The fuse as I have already said has a threshold of 3-5 seconds and if the surge was to be of say 30 volts for more than a few seconds, the output from the PowerFuse may follow the trend of being over 12 volts of output which could cause serious damage to your graphics card.

I admit this method for testing is a little unorthodox but surging a power supply that is connected to a computer is both difficult to do and dangerous. I must also state that the power supply unit that I used does not have the accuracy I would have liked as the output voltage selected is not always the same as the actual voltage out.

Cost

Unfortunately I was unable to find this item at any retail outlets to give a guide price for it. If anyone knows of how much this item goes for, please let me know and I will update the review.