What can I run on a surge protector?

[wyliesdiesels]

There is none. It's just like a vanilla 240v 3-phase delta on shore-side... but at half the voltage. Two phase conductors are landed on each receptacle. 2-pole breaker for every 120v circuit.

A surge protector made for a grounded system won't do the same job here. It can even introduce a fault if it fails, which trips the engineers' ground fault lights.... now they're scrambling looking for a ground fault in the ship, but it's due to the garbage surge protector you brought from home

Do you have a link where I can read more about this system? I tried a google search but all i got was info on the engines and generators...

 

[westom]

With the fire from surge/power is it the surge parts faulty or the strip?

Always read specification numbers. A thousands joule surge is so tiny that protection inside appliances make that irrelevant. How many joules will destroy a strip protector? Only thousands. Near zero.

So a thermal fuse must exist. To only disconnect protectors parts. And leave that surge still connected to adjacent appliances. That tiny surge will not harm those appliances. But if left connected to five cent protector parts, then this happens:

Recent fires involving multiple outlet devices toted as surge suppressors raised attention at the Gaston County Fire Marshal's office primarily when one such fire occurred in a fire station. Investigation of a fire that started behind a desk in an office revealed the ignition source was a surge suppressor. ...

Within that firehouse, three separate surge suppressors were recovered and examined. Each had failed, the one caught on fire, another suppressor ceased working, while the third continued working but later was found to have failed internally. These findings, coupled with suspicion of suppressor involvement in other fires, prompted in-depth examination of possible reasons.

Electricity on board ship is even less likely to cause such failures. As previously posted numbers demonstrated. Never ignore those numbers.

Or read MOV datasheets. Again, numbers are critical. A protector part that fails catastrophically (exceeds "Absolute Maximum Parameters") can create fires. A problem even cited in two PC Magazine articles about 1987. That threat has existed that long.

Grossly undersized protectors parts fail catastrophically - can cause fires. Protector parts must only degrade.

Degraded protector parts never trigger that "Protection Good" light. That light is triggered only when protector parts were about to or did fail catastrophically. That light only says when a protector was grossly undersized.

Effective protector must make even direct lightning strikes irrelevant. That protector still must not fail. Specification numbers say why. Informed consumers spend less money for an effective solution that was routine even 100 years ago.

Again, where do hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly dissipate? A completely different device, called a surge protector, works best when it absorbs less energy. That is best protection for all household appliances. And for strip protectors.

These well proven solutions come from completely different companies with a long reputation for integrity. And with specification numbers for protection (even from direct lightning strikes) so that a protector does not fail even many decades later.

Surges are extremely rare. Maybe one every seven years. Some many not see one in 20 years. So protectors, that are only profit centers, should be replaced every two years? Another recommendation from manufacturers of less integrity. Purpose of a near zero joule power strip: to enrich the manufacturer. It does not even claim effective protection. Simply read specification numbers to appreciate why fires happen.

 

[sberry]

I agree a surge is rather rare;. I had problems with lightening on a regular basis when old modems were internal. I had a whole basket of those protectors and I mention it to my tech bud and he splains it came down the phone line and to a grounded machine,,, hence it didn't effect 2 wire cordless units etc.
After this the light goes on and I quize a couple code guru types and read it,,, I had to ask the phone tech,,, why you not have this grounded right and he says,,,, well,,, I don't understand,,,, so I say,,, then if you don't understand then it makes some sense to follow the instructions vs ignore cause you don't understand, duh. I properly ground the phone service and the only other hit it has taken took out the thingy outside like it sposed to. Never another problem.

 

[westom]

I properly ground the phone service and the only other hit it has taken took out the thingy outside like it sposed to.

For the benefit of all, this is a surge protector typically found on subscriber interfaces for telephones: https://www.citynet.net/backfeed_voip.pdf

To be effective, that box must have a low impedance connection to earth ground. Same electrodes that also connect to the main breaker box.

Code requires that box and its connection to earthing electrodes.

 

[PelicanPines]

My LG microwave needs to be unplugged AFTER any power failure to reset the control board. Without the reset... time means nothing to it... hit 4 minutes... it runs for a random few seconds as the clock speeds down.

LG sent a tech who put in a new board under warranty but it did no good...

Funny part... hitting the breaker does NOT simulate the problem.

 

[ttpete]

Why not a surge-protector accessory at the main panel?

You can if you have a Square D QO panel. It is the size of a 240 breaker and has a wire that goes to the ground bus.