Electronics Protection

[mike31154]

The front end of most any product with a processor these days is a power supply that converts the line AC into various levels of DC voltage. Pretty much the same idea with most television and radio appliances. The DC is then again internally converted back to various AC voltages for clock circuits etc. It's this front end that will take the brunt of any power irregularities. Most of these are additionally fused so that the very sensitive electronics downstream of all this are fairly well shielded. I'd hazard to guess that it would take a substantial spike, such as lightning to really damage any of this stuff and if that happens, no surge protector in the world is going to help.

Once you open the case of one of these items, it doesn't take much to damage the goodies on the printed circuit board. Walk across the carpet in a dry room, touch an IC on the board and that could be the end of it. Thats why repair technicians wear little wrist bands that are grounded when they're working on this stuff and it's also why sensitive replacement components come in static proof packaging.

[banditpowdercoat]

I have had wiring problems in my house. Acctually the Neutral came loose in the meter base. WHen that happens. some things get low voltage, where others, like the electronics, can get close to 240v. My computer, which was protected by a good APC power bar with surge protection, it survived. The powerbar did not, but the computer and related items did. In that incident, I lost a 52"TV, Yamaha Receiver, Paradigm subwoofer, Denon DVD, VCR, microwave, 3 clocks, and a crapload of screw in flourescent lights....

[mike31154]

That's a fault mode I haven't seen very often. Sorry to hear about the equipment losses. With a loose neutral at the meter there would be a higher resistance in virtually all circuits in the house. This should mean excessive heat in some cases? Lucky the place didn't burn down around you.

[banditpowdercoat]

Originally Posted by mike31154

That's a fault mode I haven't seen very often. Sorry to hear about the equipment losses. With a loose neutral at the meter there would be a higher resistance in virtually all circuits in the house. This should mean excessive heat in some cases? Lucky the place didn't burn down around you.

ya, Im an electrician, so knew what it was right away. But just got home form work, and the house was dark, and wife just ran outside with the daughter as I pulled up screaming the lights are flickering, the washing machine is screetchng, the place is haunted!!!!!!!. Was in the middle of giving her a bath. I instantly turned main breaker off and started checking. Thank god for house insurance. Got everything replaced.

[brizzo]

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