Quilter 53

Just a heads up to all my sewing buddies. We recently had a lightning strike on a local main power line. It caused a power surge throughout the entire community. Many had their computers and electronics "toasted". Some places literally had smoking and melted computers. Made me very grateful that I had surge protectors on all of my electronics, especially my sewing machines. But generally, once zapped, your surge protectors need to be replaced. So everything got unplugged until I went to the store yesterday and bought all new protectors.

Stitchnripper

Good advice. We had an electrician install a whole house surge suppressor. I don't think it is foolproof but is a help. He told us if it ever trips to call him right away to reset or replace I think he said. It was inexpensive. We also have the plug in ones too.

osewme

I always unplug my sewing machine & computer when we have lightning even though they are on plug-in surge protectors.

cashs_mom

I unplug all my machines when I'm not using them. I mounted surge protectors on the walls so I can easily reach up and unplug them. I knew a couple people who had their computerized machines toasted during tropical storms

GrandmaSusan

Quilter 53 - My kids live in Talkeetna. Do you know Tim and Sharla Rose? They own a trading store at the end of the main street near the river.

paoberle

My sewing machine is always unplugged if I am not using it. If there is a storm in the area I unplug as many of my electronics as possible.

Sew Freak

thanks for sharing!!! great advice!

Boston1954

Jim bought me one for the television in the bedroom and my sewing machine just this week.

shasta5718

You can go to a place like Best Buy and get a inexpensive power converter for your expensive machines. A dealer told me about them after I had to replace the power supply on my embroidery machine. He said it's not just surges that can damage machines but also when there is a dip. The converter has a battery backup and swithches when power is off, but also keeps power level. I think I only paid around 50 dollars for mine.

Doggramma

We use surge protectors too now. We had a tv once that was dead after a power surge. That's when we learned our lesson.