[Elecraft] Surge Protection

[Ian Kahn - Ham]

Just as an FYI for everyone, using *any* type of extension device to go 
from an outlet/device to a UPS typically nullifies any warranty the UPS 
manufacturer offers.  If you use an extension device (cord, surge 
protector, etc.) there is no way to know if any power-related damage to 
your device happened because of UPS failure or the failure of some other 
device in the chain.

I've dealt with this often in my 18 years' work in IT.

--Ian

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
km4ik.ian at gmail.com
K3 #281, P3 #688
HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team

On 1/14/2013 4:40 PM, Mark Kopec wrote:
> Surge protectors do not help much. A UPS offers much better protection. Not
> only does it protect equipment from voltage spikes, it assists with
> blackouts and brownouts.
>
> Many years ago when I lived in a third floor apartment there was a lightning
> strike nearby. Most electric devices within my apartment were connected to
> UPSes and had no damage. A digital clock and TV located in different rooms
> were each connected to a surge protector. The clock was damaged beyond
> repair. The TV acted strangely. It would not power on. At first I thought it
> too was fried. I unplugged it for a minute to drain any stray charge. After
> I plugged in the TV again it worked normally. Now I only use surge
> protectors to extend an outlet from a UPS, as when connecting a small AC
> adapter.
>
> During a storm you have to disconnect the antenna and possibly other things.
> I spent my early life growing up in the Chicago area, which had powerful
> summer thunderstorms. One night I was surprised to see flashes of light on
> the coil of an uncovered antenna tuner! My gear was not damaged, but now I
> had another problem: disconnecting the antenna while the storm is in
> progress and not get injured. Fortunately, everything worked out.
>
> Mark
> W5KXX
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of William Levy
> Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 3:05 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] Surge Protection
>
> Gents,
>
> I do not think it is worthwhile to buy surge protection for individual
> items.
> I live in NW CO and we have thunderstorms all summer and for years I used
> surge protectors individually until my electrician suggested I put surge
> protectors on my electric panels coming into my house, shacks, barns, guest
> houses, library etc. So each building out west now has a surge protector on
> the electrical panel which hisses and clicks during thunderstorms and of
> course we tend to unplug ham sets and tv's and hi fi's and wifi's and all
> the rest of the stuff.
>
> Nothing man makes can protect your electronics from a direct hit to your
> antennas or house and by direct I mean within 100 feet. Try as you might
> it's bigger than us. So unplug and ground all antennas all the time.
>
> 73, Bill N2WL
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