Do We Need Surge Protectors?

[wwhopper]

I always tell my clients that they have to have surge protectors on all their electronics. TVs Stereos Computers - anything and everything that has a computer module in it can be affected by a surge or a spike. All it takes is a good electical storm to prove it. Anyone out there have any insight on this? I am just a boots and suspenders kind of person - so I would rather be safe than sorry......

Will W Hopper,IFDA
Washington, DC, USA

[GarySailor]

Good thought Whopper. I happened to have a spare surge protector laying around. It's a small one, but just plugged it in...

[Brooster]

I have mine plugged into one. But it's a good question ... I know someone I can e-mail and ask.



Brooster

[mzokc]

I added one after the lighting storms started. Until then, I unplugged the HT while the storms were passing through.

Mark

[lipinsky]

Generally electronics that have a battery (like laptops and the Segway) are *safer* from the effects of electrical surges. The battery acts like a filter as in many cases the device only gets its power from the battery and not from the power cord. Surges are not just from lightning but from the surges that occur when refriderators and washing machines kick in. When then start up the voltage on the line drops and then comes back up over the rated limit in an oscilating manner -- this can result in damage.

Generally the surges from lightning, if close enough, can not be protected by the surge protector. Hey, if the lightning bolt is going through 8 miles of air, a metal oxide varistor is not going to do much.

Given that, I still have a surge protector on all my electronics and will put one behind my Segway.

[Brooster]

Okay team, here's our answer, as promised. From an engineer at Segway LLC:

"Although the electronics in the Segway HT are designed to be robust under a wide range of environments, the use of surge protection when plugged in for charging will afford an extra level of protection against damage. This is especially true in areas where high intensity electrical storms are prevalent. This is an inexpensive form of "insurance" against your investment in the HT."


Brooster

[pam]

Well, that settles it. A trip to the college bookstore tomorrow is in order.
Thanks, Brooster.
Pam

[SegwayLongIsland]

Thanks, Brooster.

As we buy more electronic devices, we accumulate more surge protectors. The problem is which surge protectors REALLY PROTECT?

In order to protect it has to cut off the power in LESS THAN 8 Nanoseconds. Many surge protectors don't do that, or have no label on them telling you what they do.

2 years ago after a lightning strike that made a mess of several computers DESPITE having those cheapo surge protection strips, I installed a household surge protector that protects EVERYTHING in the house with one device.

I paid about $50.00 at home Depot and wired it right into my main panel. It comes with simple instructions and has 2 lights that stay lit when you are protected. Protects in LESS THAN 5 NANOSECONDS!!!
No more strips!!!!

It's made by Intermatic. Here's a link.

http://www.smarthome.com/4870.html

[Brooster]

Sounds like a great solution Wayne! An alternative solution, I suppose, is unplugging the Seg if storms are forecast.

Our friend the engineer (who was directly involved in designing the powerbase, by the way) told me that the Seg--if fully charged--can remain unplugged for up to two weeks without any significant drop in charge retention. So even if you're going on vacation and leaving your HT at home during storm season, you can leave it unplugged without any adverse effects.

Brooster

[wwhopper]

Great glad to hear that I was not being overly worried - now just to find something else to fret about..... like how to find enough time to use it and get the battery conditioned correctly....When I was at the home center - there is a wide variety of surge protectors - cheap ones and expensive ones - I looked for the ones that had the best protection - like mentioned above - not everyone can just jump into their breaker box and add whole house protection. Also look for the ones that offer the biggest $$$ amount insurance.

Will W Hopper,IFDA
Washington, DC, USA