| Cat33 - 7/17/2021 21:58
Surge protectors are basically worthless for lightning strikes. Smaller spikes, yes.
Meanwhile surge protectors come with numbers that define protection from all surges - including direct lightning strikes.
"Surge protector" defines two completely different devices that, unfortunately, share a same name.
How many joules will that plug-in protector 'block' or 'absorb'? Being adjacent to an appliances its 2 cm protector part must 'block' a surge. It cannot. So it must somehow 'absorb' that surge. How does its paltry thousands joules 'absorb' a surge: hundreds of thousands of joules? It doesn't. And need not. It is designed to protect profits.
A surge, too tiny to damage any appliance in a house, can destroy that tiny joule protector. Then wild speculation claim, "My protector sacrificed itself to save my appliance". Total bull. That protector is a least robust appliance; easily damaged by a surge that is too tiny to damage any other appliance.
Effective protectors come with numbers that claim protection. Lightning is typically 20,000 amps. So a minimal 'whole house' protector (from companies known for integrity) is rated at least 50,000 amps. Because effective protectors are for all surges - including direct lightning strikes. And must not fail.
Selling a $3 power strip with five cent protector parts pays for a massive disinformation campaign. Then many know about magic plug-in protectors. Effective 'whole house' protector (that costs about $1 per protected appliance) puts your money into the protector. Not into disinformation.
Two completely different and unrelated devices - both called surge protectors. One that must somehow 'block' or 'absorb' a surge is ineffective.
Another and effective protector never tries to 'block' or 'absorb' a surge. In fact, better is when it 'absorbs' less energy.
A protector is only as effective as its earth ground. 'Whole house' protectors (properly installed) have a low impedance (ie less than 10 foot) connection to what does all protection: single point earth ground. Then hundreds of thousands of joules dissipate harmlessly outside in earth. Then nobody even knew a surge (a direct lightning strike) existed. Then that protector remains functional for many decades after many direct lightning strikes. Then a home has protection similar to what has been in all facilities that cannot suffer lightning damage - even 100 years ago. Then one spends only $1 per appliance for best protection from companies of integrity. Then plug-in protectors (least robust devices) are protected; need not do this: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/10/house...Two completely different devices - both called surge protectors. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground. Plug-in protectors are called Type 3. So undersized that it must remain more than 30 feet from the main breaker box and earth ground. To avert fire. Only 'whole house' protectors - Type 1 or Type 2 - are sufficiently designed to make a low impedance (ie less than 10 foot) connection to earth ground. Then protection even from direct lightning strikes exist.
Type 3 protectors do not claim to protect from lightning. Cannot be anywhere near earth ground. Are typically less robust than appliances they are suppose to protect. Is typically unknown by the many only educated by myths, hearsay, and advertising - that cite no specification numbers.
A protector is only as effective as its earth ground. Obviously wall receptacle safety ground is not earth ground. Plug-in protectors cannot connect to earth ground. Being so grossly undersized, they are called Type 3. Two completely different devices - both called surge protectors. Type 1 and Type 2 are designed to protect from all surges including direct lightning strikes. With numbers that say so.
Edited by westom 7/18/2021 09:09
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surge protector vs. the refrigerator
