[Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2018-10-30 9:54 AM, Barry wrote:
 >
> One last comment: I suggest that an UPS be used just for the surge 
> protection from A/C and other motors on the line. A large motor can 
> throw quite a surge onto the line even with no lightning to add to
> the voltage. An UPS is really cheap insurance to protect your
> station, less than $100 to protect a few $1000.

Beware!  Most of what are sold as "UPS" are really "SPS" (standby
power supplies).  An SPS does not supply the load from battery and
inverter all the time.  Instead, the load is connected directly to
the line and only switched to the battery/inverter when the line
drops below about 70% of nominal voltage (typically 80 V on a 120V
system).

An SPS has little or no surge protection - typically a few MOV
devices that K9YC has rightly identified as causing more damage
than preventing in sensitive electronic equipment!

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2018-10-30 9:54 AM, Barry wrote:
> Wayne,
>      Good advice! I use a combination of preventatives. First, I buffer 
> my power going to any sensitive electronics. I use a battery backup 
> system, an UPS, to buffer the power. If there is a surge, the battery 
> absorbs it. Second, I believe you will ultimately have a problem if you 
> leave your radios connected to you antenna(s). So, I disconnect all of 
> my station from my antennas during periods when lightning is expected. I 
> have learned my lesson from having lost equipment. Since I started with 
> this setup, I have had no problem, and it is far less expensive than a 
> full blown lightning protection system.
> 
>      One last comment: I suggest that an UPS be used just for the surge 
> protection from A/C and other motors on the line. A large motor can 
> throw quite a surge onto the line even with no lightning to add to the 
> voltage. An UPS is really cheap insurance to protect your station, less 
> than $100 to protect a few $1000.
> 
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>