PT200DX Technical Question

Here's one for the guys in the know.

Okay, I'm in the southeast (North Carolina) and soon thunderstorm season will again be on us.
I've had some issues with lightning taking out equipment. Last season in just one storm I had
a computer, a modem, a monitor, 3 phones, three phone lines + jacks (went up in flames), a
shop exhaust fan and a lathe speed controller all go POOF! BTW it blew the phone interface
right off the house. We're in "the sand" and grounding is an issue. (code says only one ground rod)

My question for the techies is, should I leave the unit unplugged when not in use?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rake

My question for the techies is, should I leave the unit unplugged when not in use?

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Yes.

Since just "yes" is too short to be an allowed post, semiconductors and lightning do not get along, even on machines designed to make small lightning themselves.

Yes,

I've seen TV sets and other valuable appliances get fried by electrical discharge caused by lightening.

Disconnect if you want to keep it!

That's a lot of crazy damage from lightning. Absolutely unplug anything not in use if lightning in your area can do that.

BTW - I highly doubt "surge suppressors" would help any of your 120v devices under those kinds of conditions.

Yeah, but unlike most of those it's got a real power switch right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paul Moir

Yeah, but unlike most of those it's got a real power switch right?

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True, but that is probably a 1/4" air gap. Not a real impediment to a million volts or so looking for a path to ground.

Very true, it can jump a lot farther than 1/4". Unplug it for sure and all else electronic you can. Also it can come in through cable system, sat dishes, telco lines, roots of tree can broadcast a strike if it hits a tree. So it is not just the AC lines. On the welder, just the power and you are fine.

I am in Raleigh, and have underground utilities in my development, so we are less suceptable to the Big hits, as they usually hit the overhead lines, and are dissipated as they travel through the ground. If you are out in the wild, with overhead feeds, DEFINITELY get into the habit of unplugging critical electronics during heavy lightning storms, or as often as practical.

Also, get Duke to install the surpressors on your service panel, it is a small fee, and they accept more liability in the case of a hit (for non industrial equipment).

Most of the yahoos installing dishes for sat tv, or homeowners DIYer, installing antennae, do not adequately ground the system(s) and feed lines. Study, and make th investment in the proper grounded cables and arresters.

Another issue is brownouts, I have lost more equipment because the supply voltage has dropped out of spec, and caused the unit to overdraw current to compensate. Strange things happen when the voltage drops, like computers tattooing hard drives, etc. Only way to guard against that is a UPS. As for the welding, and other shop equipment, I always unplug when not in use during thunderstorm seasons.

Just thinking, I would store the flammable gasses (Acetyline, Porpane) AWAY from the electrical service entrance panel, just in case. And per the code, all gas lines (piping) need to be bonded (Grounded) to the earth ground. Not a bad practice for all shop plumbing as well.

Lastly, there is always the option of including property damage riders on your insurance policy for specific devices (homeowners, or business).

Honestly, I live in town so I get to survive off my neighbor's surge supressors and weak online electronics. :) And we don't even get much by the way of lightning here.

I just wanted to point out that the breaker gives you some pretty good protection to start. Keep it up Everlast!

EDIT: I've been here since 2010, and I'm a new member but Rambozo is a Senior Member? Cripes, what's up with that? Rating on contribution and ability rather than seniority??? Mad! :D

It is based on quantity not quality. I think 100 is the next clip level, so you are only 5 posts away.

Well, I unplugged and today it rocked and rolled this afternoon!

Rained like a fat cow peeing on a flat rock! :O