APC SurgeArrest Personal PER7T (Z98010214399)
The APC SurgeArrest Personal PER7T is a seven-outlet surge protector manufactured by APC (American Power Conversion) in 1998 as part of the company's SurgeArrest Personal product family.
The model combines seven grounded outlets, telephone-line protection, site-wiring diagnostics, and APC's SurgeArrest surge-suppression technology within a compact consumer-oriented enclosure. The documented example is particularly significant because it was manufactured during the production period later affected by APC's 2013 SurgeArrest recall and is accompanied by documentation indicating participation in the recall program.
As the first documented SurgeArrest Personal artifact preserved by the OldSurge Archive, the PER7T provides an opportunity to compare APC's consumer-oriented Personal series with the better-known SurgeArrest Professional family.
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Overall view of the documented APC SurgeArrest Personal PER7T specimen.
Overview
The APC SurgeArrest Personal PER7T is a consumer surge protector intended to provide surge suppression and power distribution for personal computers, peripherals, modems, printers, and other home or office electronics.
The design incorporates seven grounded outlets together with APC's Protection Working and Site Wiring Fault diagnostic indicators. A rocker power switch is positioned near the cord-entry end of the enclosure, while an attached six-foot power cord provides flexibility in desktop and home-office installations.
The documented example is noteworthy because it represents APC's consumer-focused SurgeArrest Personal product line, a family that existed alongside the company's higher-end SurgeArrest Professional series during the late 1990s.
The artifact is also significant due to its association with APC's later 2013 SurgeArrest recall. Documentation accompanying the archived specimen indicates that it was submitted to APC's recall program in 2021, providing a rare example of a recalled surge protector with documented participation in the replacement process.
As the first Personal-series artifact documented by the OldSurge Archive, the PER7T expands the archive's APC coverage beyond the Professional-family products that presently dominate the collection.
Historical Context
During the 1990s APC marketed multiple SurgeArrest product families aimed at different segments of the surge-protection market. While the SurgeArrest Professional series targeted users seeking premium protection and advanced features, the SurgeArrest Personal series was positioned as a more affordable consumer-oriented alternative intended for home and small-office environments.
By the late 1990s personal computers, dial-up Internet access, fax machines, and other electronic equipment had become increasingly common in homes and small businesses. Products such as the PER7T reflected growing consumer demand for affordable surge protection capable of safeguarding both power and communication connections.
The PER7T belongs to APC's recall-era SurgeArrest generation manufactured between 1993 and 2002. Products from this period were later included in APC's 2013 SurgeArrest recall after reports of overheating, smoking, melting, and fire-related incidents. The documented example's 1998 manufacturing date places it within the affected production range.
Compared with the contemporary APC SurgeArrest Professional PRO7 family documented elsewhere in the archive, the Personal-series design appears intended for a more consumer-oriented market segment. The enclosure utilizes a wider footprint, incorporates dedicated diagnostic indicators, and emphasizes ease of use while retaining APC's established SurgeArrest branding and protection technologies.
The documented specimen therefore occupies an important position within APC's product history, illustrating how the company differentiated consumer and professional surge-protection products during the personal-computing era.
Documented Example
- OldSurge ID: OS-0029
- Manufacturer: APC (American Power Conversion)
- Product Family: SurgeArrest Personal
- Model: PER7T
- Serial Number: Z98010214399
- Manufacturing Date: 1998
Specifications
Short introductory paragraph explaining what makes the specifications noteworthy.
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Notable Characteristics
- First documented APC SurgeArrest Personal-series artifact preserved by the archive.
- Recall-era specimen manufactured in 1998.
- Dedicated Site Wiring Fault and Protection Working indicators.
- HRSA-manufactured six-foot power cord.
- Documented history indicating participation in APC's 2013 SurgeArrest recall program.
Weight
Weight discussion and comparison with related products.
Physical Characteristics
The APC SurgeArrest Personal PER7T utilizes a beige molded enclosure measuring approximately 10.25 inches (26.0 cm) long, 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) wide, and 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) tall.
The upper surface incorporates seven grounded receptacles arranged in a single row together with APC's "Protection Working" and "Site Wiring Fault" indicators. A black rocker power switch is positioned near the cord-entry end of the enclosure.
Unlike the APC SurgeArrest Professional PRO7 family, the Personal-series enclosure utilizes a broader footprint and a flatter overall profile.
The documented example incorporates a six-foot power cord manufactured by HRSA.
Photographs
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Overall view of the documented APC SurgeArrest Personal PER7T specimen.
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SurgeArrest Personal branding with Protection Working and Site Wiring Fault indicators. -
Power-switch area showing indicator layout and receptacle detail.
Date Codes
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Date-code detail.
Condition Upon Acquisition
The documented example was acquired in used condition and exhibits minor cosmetic wear consistent with long-term residential or office use.
A localized transfer marking is present on the receptacle face near the third outlet from the left. The marking appears consistent with contact from a plug or other object during the unit's service life.
No significant enclosure damage, cracks, missing components, or evidence of overheating were observed during initial examination.
Functional Testing
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Testing photograph.
Teardown
Description of disassembly, construction details, PCB markings, suppression components, wiring, safety features, and observations.
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- How does construction compare to earlier models?
- Is the design unusually robust or simplified?
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Internal construction.
Comparison Notes
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- Earlier and later revisions
- Different PCB generations
- Different levels of enclosure aging
- Weight differences
- Changes in manufacturing location
Recall Information
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Historical References
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Notes
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- Manufacturing details.
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