|
According to my hubbie the surge protectors are rated by how much power that is coming in that it would protect against. So if you are in a place that gets alot of power surges and brown out or lighting storms, you would want a higher rated protector. You would also want to do this for any electronic gadget you have.
|
According to my hubbie the surge protectors are rated by how much power that is coming in that it would protect against. So if you are in a place that gets alot of power surges and brown out or lighting storms, you would want a higher rated protector. You would also want to do this for any electronic gadget you have.
|
If you have a computerized sewing machine you need a surge protector that not only protects against surges but also low voltage. Low voltage can also be harful to machines. I found one at Staples. You have to look on the box to see if protects against both. The sales person didn't know and told me they didn't have any. I can't remember the price, but it was well under $100.00. If your machine is worth much, that isn't too much to pay to protect it.
|
We had an electrician come to the house and install a whole house surge protector at the breaker box and he never mentioned that it would break down. Our insurance company recommended it. I also use surge protectors on some things. I don't have a fancy sewing machine so that's not a concern.
|
Originally Posted by scowlkat
I am using the UPS (uninterruptible power source) that I had for my desktop system. Now I use a laptop so thought I would keep it for my Ellisimo. Where I live, the power is supplied by some little hamsters on exercise wheels and when they take a break, usually once or twice a day, our power flickers or goes out just long enough to have to reset all the clocks!
Also did you know that the surge protectors typically bought (cheaper ones like from Wal-Mart) are usually no good after they have been hit by one surge? That is what I was told by an electrician. |
Let me see if I have this right. Your entire house or building needs to be properly grounded or you are simply out of luck regardless of what protection you have within the structure. Is that correct?
|
oh, yes, I m w/u on this. I too live where hamsters supply electricity, and in the country they had to put a main box in our yard (I could have a small town on my property tapping this box, lol). we had 2 computers fried thru the surge protectors. (phone line connection!) our ins didnt cover for phone line surges - which no one explained until I went for the 3rd replacement and the guy at the store explained it, and then, again, a direct lightening strike took out another. The safest way is to unplug anything you dont want to replace, unplug before you go on vacation, and even, in a bad storm, dont be sewing at a machine - cut out or do hand work, lol. share t
|
Thank you, Westom!!!
|
Originally Posted by crashnquilt
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. My son is an EE and his advice is ALWAYS unplug your expensive appliances. Also there is one other concern. If you have a house constructed on the ground as most in FL are, lightening will travel down a tree, hit the ground and depending on how close to the house, also travel thru the ground into your floors. Your foot pedals sitting on terrazzo, which we have is and excellent conductor and will hit the pedal. He says surge protectors are fine for many uses but when you are dealing with $$$$$$$$s, don't guess. |
Originally Posted by mar32428
Originally Posted by crashnquilt
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. My son is an EE and his advice is ALWAYS unplug your expensive appliances. Also there is one other concern. If you have a house constructed on the ground as most in FL are, lightening will travel down a tree, hit the ground and depending on how close to the house, also travel thru the ground into your floors. Your foot pedals sitting on terrazzo, which we have is and excellent conductor and will hit the pedal. He says surge protectors are fine for many uses but when you are dealing with $$$$$$$$s, don't guess. |
I always unplug my machine when I'm not using it. Better safe than sorry.
|
This whole thread has been quite helpful! I am going to start unplugging. I have surge protectors on but see that these are not enough now that I have a new Janome Horizen. Certainly want to protect it!
|
I have battery back up on both my Long Arm and Regular Machines. it was recommended when we purchased the long arm to have it. My understanding with the battery backup, is that it will give you about 20 minutes if the electricity goes out to properly shut it down and unplug. But that it is still very important to unplug asap.
|
Originally Posted by westom
Originally Posted by Mariposa
Buy the more expensive surge protectors. No sense in trying to save a buck or two when it is concerning our expensive machines
Protection is always about where energy dissipates. Therefore a protector is only as effective as its earth ground. How do you unplug a dishwasher, furnace, dimmer switches, and the most critical appliance during a surge – smoke detectors? You don’t. |
I have mine plugged into a power strip. I wasn't thinking about the sewing machine being electronic. Guess I'd better swap it for a surge protector since the outlet isn't easy to reach.
For those of us that have UPS's, the batteries need to be replaced periodically. They're no good if the battery is dead. |
I have kept up with this thread but please explain why when my business took a direct hit, it fried everything that was not on an UPS but turned on that day. Everything on the UPS came thru unscathed. I had $180,000. claim for our business. Insurance paid but demanded everything be put on the UPS system. I have lost equipment due to brownouts at home. We get them 3-4 times a week. Blows light bulbs, toasters, whatever is on at the time. They dim down then "POP". They are gone. I will stick with UPS as long as I am compliant with the insurance company, thank you. If your house or office is properly grounded then these devices are automatically grounded, "to the earth".
|
I don't know the difference but my brother runs the electronics at Walmart and I grab him by the arm and get the one I need.
|
Originally Posted by MaggieLou
I have mine plugged into a power strip. I wasn't thinking about the sewing machine being electronic. Guess I'd better swap it for a surge protector since the outlet isn't easy to reach.
For those of us that have UPS's, the batteries need to be replaced periodically. They're no good if the battery is dead. |
Thought I would just throw this in here-----make sure you use one on anything with a computerized panel-----washing machines etc.
|
surge protectors only protect from power sirges not from lighting. lighting will melt even large protectors, i could not beleave what lighting could dom it melted my APC surge protector on my computer
|
Originally Posted by carhop
surge protectors only protect from power sirges not from lighting. lighting will melt even large protectors, i could not beleave what lighting could dom it melted my APC surge protector on my computer
|
We have the very best surge protectors on everything in the house. Last year my computer fryed and couldn't replace it right away. Then later in the year we had a electrical box in our neighborhood that shorted and explode had a huge ark flash that rocked the hole neighborhood. Talk about hair standing on end!! It was very scary and lucky no one got hurt. It pays to have the best ones on the market.
|
We have been struck three times in just the last year. We have some very heavy duty protectors on the computer. However, we have found unplugging is the best of protection. You should not be sewing if it is storming outside anyway.
|
I am another unplugger. My sewing machine is probably the most expensive of our electronic devices. (Let's face it, a computer is almost obsolute when you buy it) My machine is on a highly rated surge protector, but just to be on the safe side, I unplug. We have a lot of power surges here.
|
I agree with JJs. I have 2 machines that run from my computer and have each one on a separate surge protector. My serger is on its own, my quilting machine is on its own, and my iron is on its own. We have a lot of money invested in our equipment, so why not buy the best one? I would rather have to replace a $40.00 surge protector than a $6,000 sewing machine.
|
I alway unplug mine....one less thing to worry about!
|
Originally Posted by AgapeStitches
Some of the better surge protectors also have "insurance" for your electronics, appliances, etc.
Since each power company is different, I wonder if you should ask them what surger protector they recommend for your area. Or for that matter the your sewing machine manufacturer as to what they suggest. There are so many choices - it gets really confusing |
My machine went on a surger,right after the TV, my new frige, my freezer. Yes,in that order. But in a bad storm I unplug my machine(bernina) and be sure to keep this cord away from my sewing machine.Oh yes, I also got one for my computer. This came before the frige and freezer. First things first. LOL Marvel
|
Five pages of replies to my original thread asking about the correct surge protector to use, and still it seems no definite conclusion. One would think each machine's owner's manual would outline exactly what protection we need. If the answer is using a surge protector, wouldn't it make sense for the machine companies to build one into the sewing machine so we all can rest easily? If it's true that a surge protector is rendered useless after one incident, I can see why this would not be a good option. Isn't it amazing how elusive and complex electricity is?
|
Did you know if a surge protector fails and it damgages any of your electronics or home you can claim it on your home owners or rental insurance.
|
I didn't know there was a difference either, but I do noticed that they are different colors and I thought that is why the price difference, but I guess not.
Yes I do plug my machine into a surge protector. My husband makes sure that I do. Every electronic thing in cluding apartment sized washer and dryer are plugged into a surge protector. I have a sad story that involved a surge protector. About 10 years ago, my friend saved up enough money to finally buy her family a computer. She bought it at Staples for Christmas. She was really happy with what they sold her since she knew nothing about computers. She gets it home, kids are in bed, they get a surge protector and it was a nice one at that plug it in all ready for morning to come and to see the excitement on their faces to see they finally did get a computer. They lived in an old old single wide mobile home and directly behind their house was one of those transformer big old huge things for the electric up on a power pole. It was storming and raining and thunder and lightning. Well, a lightning strike hit that power pole and went into their mobile home and FRIED the computer, EVERY SINGLE thing that they had plugged in. Stove and refrigerator, TV, everything. All the other mobile homes and many many many homes were affected. So, the surge protector did no good, but this was not in the least the fault of the surge protector. The power company paid alot of people for their damage and didn't put up a fuss about it at all. Luckily my friend had Renters Insurance and it covered all her losses. |
i think we are all missing the point about surge it is very diffrent than from lighting you can get a whole house surge protector but again it won't protect from lighting
|
Yes. Unplug your machine anytime you are not using it.
|
Okay, what is the correct surge protector? I suggest one with the highest rated joules with insurance. If you are looking for brand names I highly recommend APC or TRIPPLITE. IMO, these are the two best brands made. APC makes the battery back up UPS units but also make surge protectors. They come with a limited amount insurance but the insurance is very quick to pay.
My past experience is over 30 years in the computer/electronic industry and a BS in Electronics. As a business owner, when a computer system was sold to a customer an APC surge protector was included in the price. If you do purchase either one of these units, PLEASE read the instructions for registering your unit so that your insurance will be in affect. |
I use one now since this last fall the lightning hit my sewing machine and they had to put a new motherboard in. $ 275.00 was the damage. Hopefully this will never happen again.
|
Every electrical item that I own is plugged into a surge protector. I had new items wiped out when I was in college, so don't let it happen again. I was fortunate in that my dad was an electrical engineer and advised me on best items etc., and my phone has the same protection. My boards cost about $250 each, but probably cheaper in the 'States. We have surges daily and blackouts weekly.
|
Wow! What great information. I will be putting my machine on a good surge protector in the morning. Thank you so much for the insight.
|
We have surge protectors for all our electronics. I have 3 in my sewing room. It makes it nice because when I go in I just step on the surgers and everything is on and when I leave I step on the surgers to shut everything off. (the surgers have have the foot button.
|
I have my machine in a surge protector, my power company has surges in splurges, during really bad storms tho I unplug my machine.
|
I know there is a diffrence but I don't remember the whole info I was given once by a guy in Home Depot.
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:56 AM. |