Protect electronic devices with whole-house surge suppressor
Q. I have a lot of electronic items at home, and I have thought about installing a whole-house electric surge suppressor. What are the various types of suppressors, how can I compare the various models, and do they save energy?
A. Today’s homes have more sensitive electronic devices than most people realize. Everyone knows that televisions, computers, DVD players and so forth are high-tech electronic devices, but most modern clothes washers and dryers, toaster ovens and other small appliances also have sophisticated electronic components.
It is wise to install a whole-house voltage surge suppressor to protect entire branch circuits throughout your home. This does not eliminate the need for using a plug-in point-of-use surge suppressor for your most sensitive electronic devices. Using both of these levels of protection is best.
Voltage surges in your home wiring are actually called transient voltage surges by professionals. There can be hundreds of these voltage spikes every day. They are very short in duration but can exceed many hundreds of volts in magnitude. Instead of burning out the electronics with one surge, they typically slowly degrade components and wiring insulation. This can cause electronic devices to fail prematurely.
There are many more sources of these voltage spikes than just lightning. If you live near commercial operations that use large motors, such as large refrigeration units or pumps, voltage surges occur when these motors switch on and off. Even the smaller motors in the clothes washer or vacuum cleaner inside your home can generate destructive surges throughout your home’s wiring.
Most whole-house surge suppressors use MOV (metal oxide varistors) components, which absorb the electrical energy from the surge when it gets above a certain level (clamping voltage). Below this voltage, the surge suppressor has no effect. Some companies claim that a surge suppressor can lower electric bills, but the primary purpose of these devices is to protect electronics.
If a very powerful surge comes through, it may burn out the surge suppressor, and it will have to be replaced, but your electronic devices will be saved.
When selecting a surge suppressor, consider the manufacturer’s protection warranty. Some will replace any of your electronic devices, up to thousands of dollars, that are damaged by a surge that gets through the suppressor.
The most common design for wholehouse surge suppressors is one that is mounted in the breaker panel. Another design is used as a base under the electric meter. If you are adding new circuit breakers, some include surge suppression.
Larger maximum surge current and total energy dissipation are better when comparing surge-suppressor specifications. This means they can block a more powerful surge without being burned out. Generally, a lower clamping voltage is better.
The following companies offer efficient surge suppressors: Asco Power Technologies (800-288-6169, www.ascopower.com), Belkin (800-223-5546, www. belkin.com), Eaton (800-386-1911, www. eaton.com), Intermatic (800-391-4555, www.intermatic.com) and Meter-Treater (800-638-3788, www.metertreater.com).
Q. I see ripples on the water in my toilet bowl, so I think that means water is leaking. I installed a new flapper valve in the bottom, but I still see the ripples. What could be causing this problem?
A. If there is a slow leak through the flapper valve, you should be hearing the water flow start and shut off every hour or so. Check to see if there is some appliance, such as a clothes washer, running which might be causing the ripple from vibrations through the floor.
If you hear the toilet water running at times and you know the new flapper valve seals well, check the height of the water in the tank. Water may be running down into the overflow tube.