Surge Suppressor Onboard Ship is a NO-NO

[westom]

14 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

 

One of our sewing machine stores was teaching that joules matter when trying to protect expensive embroidery machines!  It was the first time I’d seen anyone pointing out that it really mattered!

How many joules did they say matters?  Plug-in protectors (hundreds or thousand joules) are near zero joules - ineffective.  Joules only matter when that associated number is considered.  Effective protection is where hundreds of thousands of joules are harmlessly 'absorbed'.

 

What is the protector parameter that answers that question?  Ineffective protectors are rated in joule.  Effective 'whole house' protectors are rated in thousands of amps - not joules. Then hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly dissipate outside and safely in earth.  Both devices called protectors.  The effective one quantified by a different specification number.

 

How many joules does a UPS claim to absorb?  Hundreds.  Many times less than a tiny joule power strip.  Then they can claim that UPS does 100% protection.  Scams are that easily promoted when one does not always demand the numbers.

 

A tiny joule number on any plug-in protector indicates a possible (but rare) fire threat. Cruise ships take that threat (created by near zero joules) more seriously.