What needs to be protected with a surge protector?
I live in a very rural area that often loses it power during big storms. As a result we typically unplug our electronics and phones when a big storm is coming. But I have not to date put the dehumidifier and window air conditioners on a surge protector? Comments?
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Z on Jul 17, 2015Pretty much everything of value should be plugged into a surge protector. (See comments below link.) Though this doesn't answer your question, there is some very good info here. http://www.cnet.com/news/9-things-you-should-know-about-surge-protectors/ My folks home was hit by lighting and practically every thing plugged into the wall was ruined, so yes, get a surge protector for everything. Use the info in the link above you help you buy a good one.Helpful Reply
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Teresa on Jul 17, 2015Also, put all your expensive or important digital devices, tv,sound system (especially sub woofers),computer on surge orotectors. Good ones. It will be worth it when power cuts off and on frequently, line during approaching bad storms. I know. My router was not on one and "blooey", lost it during a surge episode. Also, those back up batteries gor large digital devices are SOOO important to help protect them.Helpful Reply
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Carolyn Turnbull on Jul 17, 2015We had one put on our main circuit braker for our entire house.Helpful Reply
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MikkiGirl on Jul 17, 2015Computers, tv, stereo, window air conditioner units. We also have one of our hand-held phone bases plugged into one.Helpful Reply
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DiannaLynne on Jul 17, 2015I live in a similar area - frequent outages and even what I call "blips" where the power just flickers enough to cause things to re-set or stop a machine embroidery and mess it up. I bought the battery backup surge protectors. One for TV setup, one for computer, router and printer, and one for embroidery machines. These have a row of outlets that provide battery backup and enough time to determine if it's going to be a long outage, or just a blip. There's also a row of surge-protected outlets for other things you want to protect but don't need the uninterrupted power. They also protect against fluctuations in power - brown-outs that can damage electronics. Any surge protection is good but in a lightning strike you can't substitute for unplugging things you want to avoid frying. I just unplug the battery back-up until it's safe to plug back in.Helpful Reply
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DORLIS on Jul 17, 2015Since I have things plugged in all over the house, I think I shall get the one hooked into the main circuit breaker. We are on an electric coop and they have been offering to do this.Helpful Reply
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Anne Alexander on Jul 17, 2015Anything electrical that is expensive...Helpful Reply
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Gaybelle on Jul 18, 2015The inexpensive "surge protectors" do not really protect much. What you need is an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). You then need to match the wattage of the electronic item you want to protect to the wattage of the UPS. We have them for all our computers, electronic sewing/embroidery machine, and TV. Before you have the whole house thing installed, verify exactly what it will do.Helpful Reply
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