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Good topic, Susan.
There are specialty products available out there called TVSS (transient
voltage surge suppressor) This is the typical surge suppressor you see in
stores (Walmart, etc) They come in varieties with the big difference being
the response time, anount of energy in Joules they can absorb and the clamp
voltage they limit the transient to while absorbing the energy from a
specified test pulse. They can be bought from electrical supply houses. I
normally use ones from Inovative Technology in FL but there are many on the
market (usual disclaimers apply). These devices can be bought to attach
directly to the power panel and protect all AC devices aboard and they do
work. One with a light to tell you its still functioning is good. Not
checking the light occasionally is bad.
Re use of a computer UPS, remember that unless it has a good TVSS built in
it does you no good for the transients. They normally allow the computer to
run off the incoming power line unless the power exceeds limits on voltage
(and I suppose frequency) then they revert to the inverter and batteries.
Their primary purpose is to allow a computer user time to shut down after
saving files when the power fails or a surge or sag occurs in the voltage.
They don't normally respond fast enough to help with a transient...that is
where the nanoseconds response time of the TVSS comes into play and
hopefully saves your gear.
We run our computer off of a House 12 VDC source which is pretty safe. The
phone line runs through a TVSS. We have dedicated cranking batteries to
avoid transients on the house bank. Since I am paraniod about lightning
transients I switch to inverter power during Tstorms and avoid power line
transients unless we get a direct or nearby strike and then all bets are off
anyway. Only way to save your gear then is to have it in the all metal oven
or other all metal box to form a Faraday cage. Whew, my head hurts.
Frank
Frank and Karen Stone
S/V Miss Scarlett
Gulfstar 50
Slidell, LA
----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 1999 5:43 AM
Subject: lv-ab: T-Storms and Surge Protectors
>Hello all,
>
>After a particular vicious thunderstorm, here on Florida's west coast, we
>discovered that our surge protector on our phone line was fried.
>
>Now of course we're looking at all the electronics onboard and wondering if
>there is surge protector that can be attached either to the main line
onboard
>or on the pole on the dock.
>
>I know there are surge protectors put out by local electric companies that
>can be mounted on the main line into your home so we're trying to find the
>same principal for the boat.
>
>Any ideas?
>
>Susan
>Caribbean Knight
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