APRIL 2020 MACWORLD 99The master switch on the Austere VII Series
8-outlet surge protector is backlit by a blue
LED. An onboard 15-amp circuit breaker
offers additional protection.the strip is connected to is properly
grounded, and the third lets you know that
the MOVs are intact and providing
protection from power surges. Unlike some
surge protectors, the Austere VII Series will
continue to provide power even when its
MOVs have been consumed and it can no
longer protect the devices plugged into it. If
you buy one, remember to check that third
LED from time to time to make sure your
connected devices remain protected.
Austere recommends replacing the device
after five years, but that might not be
necessary if your utility provides steady
power. Just keep an eye on that LED.
The five-foot power cord attached to
the Austere VII Series is terminated in a
plug with a 45-degree angle, so that it won’t
block an adjacent outlet. The cable itself is
wrapped in an attractive braided fabric, but
more importantly, the cable is exceedingly
flexible and can tolerate
extreme bends without
kinking. Two rubber strips on
the back of the surge
protector will prevent it from
marring the surface it’s
resting on, but it has a
relatively large footprint,
measuring about 5 inches
wide by 13 inches long. You
could stand it edgewise to
save room, but this might
scratch the strip or the
surface it’s on. Two keyholes are on the
back should you decide to mount it to a
wall or a cabinet.
The eight outlets on the Austere VII
Series don’t offer any fancy features. TheyThe Austere VII Series offers five USB charging ports,
including one USB-C PD port that can deliver up to 45 watts.