I've wondered about you, Jack! What's it like in Cleveland now?

Frankenstorm it is.

Lots of folks without power and in cold temperatures. Hope things turn out OK for everyone here.

NOW you tell me...

In fact, unplug just about everything - even if it's in a surge protector; items that took a hit with Isaac:

* iMac main video cable
* EP500 "hidden" fuses
* EMO Pre-pro internal fuses
* EMO amp internal fuses
* Garage Freezer
* XBox power cable

The last two items were not plugged into a surge protector.


Hope y'all make it through OK.

Freezer would be brutal! I unplugged the coffee maker - definitely can't live without that.

Our power went out at 3 this morning. Ontario Hydro's circuits were so overloaded at that hour that even the automated power outage system couldn't handle the calls. Doesn't sound like we'll be back on the grid any time soon.

No way am I unplugging the freezer. I want as much cold into that thing as I can get before/if the power goes out.

This is why you buy a whole-house surge protector. It will protect everything plugged in your home. Unlike plug in surge protectors that are plugged into a single outlet, these are installed on the electrical panel. Unlike plug in protectors, whole-house protectors stop the surge before it enters the home. Unlike plug in protectors, whole-house protectors are actually rated to handle transient surges and follow proper electrical code and theory to provide "protection". It acts as the path of least resistance and diverts what could be a destructive surge outside to earth ground.

I have a whole-house surge protector as well, but I've always wondered if it works as well with surges as much as lightning strikes.

In other words, is it only designed to act above some certain level well above "normal" or anything and everything above nominal "normal"?

What is your model? A rating of 50,000A is typical/minimal for a whole-house protector. This can even handle a direct lighting strike and not become overburdened. However, also keep in mind this is only half the protection, the other half is your homes ground system. If that is compromised so is the protection.

I took a tape measure to see how many ft my ground system is from the panel. So the whole-house protector is connected as close as possible to panel keeping all the connections as short as possible. Ground connection is buried 5 ft away from the panel. 2 10ft ground rods.

[NERDALERT]I believe you meant to say "I want as much heat out of that thing as I can get before/if the power goes out.[/NERDALERT]