Iron and Machine
 

Some may not know this but it's crucial info. Do not have your iron on the same electrical plug as your sewing machines. The iron is constantly going off and on. That may mess with the machine. The irons that don't have auto shut off still go on constantly to bring the iron up to selected temp. If you are sewing and the iron perks up to use power then your machine may have a drop in power, if the iron drops power then the machine could have a serge of power. Over time this could cause lots of damage to the machine.

I never have had my Bernina near my ironing board but what a great suggestion.

Myt iron and machine are in separate rooms usually so not an issue

Thanks very useful tip to know

Many may have a portable ironing station next to their machines. Especially at classes and workshops.

Useful to know.

I have one machine on the same power strip as my iron. I thought that they were suppose to protect against surges. Usually my ironing board is across the room from my machine so that I get exercise walking over there.

Like Penny, My iron and PQ1500s and Featherweight sewing machines are all on the same surge protected power strip. I wonder if that makes a difference????? I live in an old house and the number of outlets I have access to is limited, so I really don't have a choice.

I do have the PC420PRW which is electronic/computerized machine on a separate outlet.....

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A power strip is not necessarily a surge protector. Make sure it says so on the box.
Surge protectors are more expensive but worth it.

A power strip needs to be plugged into a surge protector. And most plug in surge protectors won't work after so many surges occur. You never know how many surges low or high comes through the circuit. I change my surge protectors every year for my machines. I have my power strips plugged into the surge protectors in my sewing room. I have a surge protector in my travel tote when taking my machine to classes.

thanks for the thoughtful advice

I have mine on opposite sides of the room. Some days, when I'm piecing I feel like I've walked a mile . ;)

This gives me something to think about and will have to remember to check out where my are plugged in at. Most of my cords run under a table or storage dresser so they are out of the way. Good tip!!

My ironing board is right next to the sewing machine, have 2 electric leads in this area. The machine itself is on a really good surge protector. BUT?..I am going to check if the iron is on the same electric connection. Thanks for the heads up. My Epic has to last me forever!!

Never thought about it but the power strip with the surge protector is on a different line and circuit than the one I use for my ironing board (on top of a work bench).

never knew that...thanks for the info!!

good info that never occurred to me, thanks!

Great info to know~ thanks!

My ironing station & my machines are in different rooms so I hope I can assume they okay. Good information to know though. If you have a thunderstorm with lightning it's also a good idea to unplug all of your electronics including sewing machines, computers, TV's etc., etc.

Thanks for the info! Just googled that question and many responses say this same thing. I always do get up to iron, now I'll add a few more steps!

Will a different outlet in the same room be alright? Some say to use a different circuit and not sure if that means not to use an outlet in same room.

When I had my house remodeled before we moved in, I designated 2 plugs for possible iron and one for computerized sewing machine and one for TV. The new plugs are all about waist high so they are easy to reach and I know which plugs to use (in my previous house - not that old- all the overhead lights downstairs would blink when the iron cycled so I was careful).

Unless your house has been specifically remodeled to address this situation, all of the outlets in a room are on the same circuit so using a different plug in makes no difference. Even putting the iron in a different room might not make a difference as most smaller houses and mobile homes will have several if not all outlets wired on the same circuit.

Cari

will make sure to take a surge protector when I go to retreats. Maybe plug the iron into a surge protector as well would help????

I imagine this only applies to the newer computerized machines?

That depends on how your house was wired, and when. The only way to know is to look at your breakers and see how they are labeled. If you only have one breaker that is for your sewing room, then all of your outlets in that room are all on the same circuit. If you have more than one breaker for the same room, then you have more than one circuit.
In my living room, for instance, I have two breakers, one is labeled "LR...south wall, ceiling", and the other is labeled " LR, east, west, north walls". I have 4 breakers for my kitchen, and 2 for the bathroom, but it is all fairly new wiring.
I had a house one time where the entire house was on one circuit! You could not plug 2 things in at the same time, or you'd blow a fuse!

I have my machines plugged into a battery powered generator that is plugged into the wall, but will protect it from power surges and power outages. We are on an electric co-op in the country and I wasn't going to take any chances. Last week the wind caused the power to flicker and go out for a few seconds. The only way I could tell was the overhead light went out for about 5 seconds, but the machines continued to sew evenly. I don't remember the cost but I think it was about $50-60 for peace of mind. I think it will hold the power for 6-8 minutes and then sound an alarm so you can unplug your machines. We have a whole house generator that takes over after losing power for 5 minutes, so have never used that feature. I'm sure I heard about this type generator from someone on the board who recommended all long armers should have their machines plugged into something like this. So much valuable information on this board. Never would have thought about power surges within the house, but it makes sense Onebyone. My iron is on a different circuit breaker.

Exactly what my cousin/electrician said. When I first saw the subject, my first reaction was BS. So I called on old faithful (Bill) for an answer. He didn't laugh but he did say unless you are in a very modern house that was wired specifically for that situation, most of is not true. Now there may be some people who do have their rooms wired to eliminate this BUT most homes aren't.

Wow. Good to know! Thank you.

The best way to prevent this is to go to Best Buy and get a power back up for your machine. I had one of mine blow the power unit even though it was on a strip when we had a storm. It was a 350 dollar repair and the repairman told me to get the back up as the fluctations in power can do this, not just high, but low. It was worth the 50.00 I paid for it.

I had also heard about separating your iron and machine about a year ago...and so I have. When I go to add my sewing room over the garage, I think I will use QuiltnLady's idea of adding a plug higher for my iron.