I don't unplug my machine when I'm done. Are you telling me I should wheather there is a storm or not?

Surge protectors protects the items plugged into it by absorbing the electrical surge, especially when your power goes out and then comes right back on. They are rated by the amount of surge they can absorb that is why you have various "joles" (pronounced jewels) The USUALLY have some type of insurance with them. This will be printed on the box. Not all power surges will trip your electric breakers. They also help protect from LOW AMP DRAWS.

A low amp draw is when your power "dims" down when something comes on and then returns to normal. Your surge protector will "store" some energy so when the power goes down your items will remain the same. Electronic items are damaged more from a low amp draw than a power surge.

When using a surge protector, the items that require more power should be plugged in nearest the power source, where the power cord comes into the protector. Be watchful of WHAT is plugged into the protector. If you have a sewing machine plugged into the protector, don't plug your iron into the same strip. Irons are power hungry items just look at the wattage of the iron. Irons are usually 1000 watts and up. Usually when the iron kicks on to heat, power to the other items is compromised. This can cause damage to circuit boards in other items. Also, because of the wattage of an iron, it is better to be plugged directly into the wall and preferably into another socket than the protector.

It is also a good idea to replace the surge protector every 12 to 18 months. They do wear down. There are constant surge and low amp draws in electricity. These may not be enough to trip your breakers but can be enough to damage other things not protected. Good example of this fact is a light bulb.

Since we are on this subject, please review your home owners or content insurance. The insurance with the protector is not much so don't depend on that. Talk to your insurance agent. Most insurance policies put a "cap" on the amount to be paid for certain items. Today sewing machines go into several thousand dollars but your insurance policy may only pay $150 because of the "cap". You may be thinking you don't want to pay out more money for insurance but believe me when I say it is money well spent. You may say you have "replacement insurance" which is great but they still have a "cap" on payout! Whenever you buy additional equipment be sure to talk to your insurance carrier to make sure it will be covered as well.

I unplug mine for peace of mind.

sass

As far as surge protectors becoming useless after one trip, I can only offer my anecdote. Whenever we run our toaster and microwave at the same time, it overloads the circuit (we have an old house.), then we have to go into the garage to reset the switch. The best solution is to not run them at the same time, but sometimes we forget. Now that we have a surge protector, we can just flip the little switch, instead of having to go all the way out to the garage. My guess is that it's happened at least half-a-dozen times in the last year, and it still works. I don't know how common this is.

I just looked at it, and I can't find the rating, although I can say it's more of a middle of the line. Clear as mud, right?

Crashnquilt, you are a wealth of valuable information. Thank you.

I have my machines plugged into a surge protector. I'm not sure what they're rated; my husband picked them out to make sure they were high enough quality to suit him! :) But my 6600 and 11000 are unplugged every night anyway.

I always unplug my electronic sewing machines when not in use. I also have a commerical type surge protector which ran over 200.00. Well worth it if you live in the country or where you have thunder storms.

this board is so great....this has been my electrical class for the day. thank you great info

Abso-flippin-lutely my machine is on a surge protector. After losing a computer, phone, tv and a few other misc appliances when lightening struck just up the street, I found out the hard way. Also - make sure if your computer is connected to the phone - for fax or dial up, that you have a surge protector that also protects the phone line.

I have my machine plugged into one. Don't remember the rating but I picked it up at a computer store and told them that it was for a computerized sewing machine.