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Posted by Atari26004Fun on November 9, 2007, 9:20 am
>
> > I have a Friederich 10k and 24k A/C but wall unit air conditioners.
> > These are only a few years old, but are not the newer models where the
> > plugs now come with the built in surge protector. I live in the North
> > East and like many other places is susceptible to many surges and
> > brownouts so I would also like the added protection of the surge
> > protectors of the newer units.
>
> What are you trying to protect from? A surge protector does zero
> for brownouts - despite others who recommend surge protectors for
> brownouts.
>
> Did you notice how that protector is wire? Connects the air
> conditioner to the adjacent receptacle - and the protection circuit
> does not change. Air conditioner connects directly to AC mains either
> way - even through that protector. So what is that protector doing?
>
> Any protection that might work on its power cord is already inside
> the air conditioner. The plug-in device adds nothing. But it uses
> the words 'surge' and 'protector'; therefore it must do something?
> You are being sold on science based in 'word association'.
>
> Do you believe that protector stops what three miles of sky could
> not? It must to stop or absorb surges. Effective protectors don't
> stop or absorb surges. Effective protectors shunt (divert, connect,
> clamp) surges to earth. An earthed surge will not enter a building to
> find your air conditioner. That earthing connection must be short
> (ie. 'less than 10 feet').
>
> If your air conditioner needs a protector, then critical items need
> a protection more desperately. GFCIs in the kitchen. Each smoke
> detector. Your furnace. GFCIs in each bathroom. Alarm system.
> Other items equally as critical to an air conditioner include
> dishwasher, microwave, clock radios, washer, expensive electric tools,
> dimmer switches, dryer, each ceiling fan, electronically controlled
> iron, ... You need maybe $2000 in plug-in protectors. Since that
> protector does not have the dedicated earth ground connection, it also
> does not even claim to provide protection from each type of surge.
> Did they forget to mention each type of surge? Why?
>
> If an air conditioner needs surge protection, then you need a surge
> protector that actually provides protection from all types of surges
> AND has a dedicated connection to earth. A surge that does not enter
> the building will not overwhelm existing protection inside all those
> appliances. An effective protector is sold by responsible companies
> such as Square D, Siemens, Cutler-Hammer, Intermatic, Leviton, GE, and
> others. Radio Shack is not on that list. Radio Shack solution has not
> dedicated earthing wire; does not even discuss earth ground. Show me
> where Radio Shack lists each type of surge and numbers for the
> protection? It does not. So what is it protecting?
>
> Take that $2 plug assembly. Add some $0.10 parts. Sell it for
> $18? With a price markup that high, then why mention it only protects
> from a type of surge that does not typically cause damage. Profits
> are too high to be honest.
>
> If that air conditioner needs protection, then so does everything
> else. Effective protector with the dedicated earthing wire means
> protection even for much more important smoke detectors at about $1
> per appliance - 18 times less money. When do you most need those
> smoke detectors? During the rare and destructive surge.
>
> Responsible engineering sources cite earthing as essential for surge
> protection. So protection 'system' don't even have a surge protector
> (ie cable TV) but all must have the earth ground connection. Same
> thing makes Ben Franklin's lightning rods effective. Earth ground.
> Protector only connects surges to earth. Earth is where all that
> energy is dissipated without harm. No earth ground? No effective
> protection. Your household earthing must be upgraded to meet and
> exceed post 1990 NEC requirements if surges are to not enter a
> building.
>
> Get your earthing upgrades because earthing provides the
> protection. Then install one 'whole house' protector to make that
> 'less than 10 foot' earthing connection. Spend less money. Have
> protection from the type of surge that actually harms appliances. A
> surge that does not enter the building will not overwhelm protection
> that is already inside all appliances.
Thank you all for your help. This was certainly an education for me.
Yes, I looked and you are all right that it is a built-in GFI
protector, not a surge protector. The only reason I asked is because
the retailer I bought these from said to get one when I went back and
said I had the old style plugs. Apparently this was not good advice
and I'm glad I checked here first. Again, many thanks to you all.
Regards.
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