w_tom wrote:

Yes, only one of two AC electric wires disconnects to turn off an
igniter. Other wire would make connections to transistors. Therefore
the type of destructive surge (completely ignored by plug-in
protectors) that can harm transistors ,when igniter is off, is seeking
earth ground - destructively.

"expensive and exotic whole house circuitry" costs tens of times
less money per protected appliance. It is neither complex, exotic, nor
expensive. And it is necessary in all homes since transistors arrived
in the 1970s. A typically destructive type of transient - be it
lightning or during utility switching - seeks earth either via one
'whole house' protector (no damage) OR via appliances throughout the
building (some or many damaged appliances).

Your building must be earthed per post 1990 NEC for numerous reasons.
One is a major safety problem should neutral wire fail. Another is to
eliminate human electrical shocks. Another is for potential fire
created by adjacent household problems. And but another reason is so
that typically destructive transients are earthed. Again, nothing
exotic. This earthing is 100% your responsibility.

Earthing connects directly to one of three AC power wires - for human
safety. For transistor safety, earthing to other two wires is also
required via a 'whole house' protector. Such solutions are sold in
Lowes, Home Depot, and electrical supply houses. They have responsible
names such as Square D, Siemens, Cutler-Hammer, GE, Intermatic, and
Leviton. Never saw such solutions sold in Sears, Kmart, Radio Shack,
Staples, Circuit City, or the grocery store.

Secondary protection made necessary because transistors now exist.
Transistor damage from these transients is your responsibility. A
solution is so inexpensive and simple. Type of transient that could
have passed through that 'powered off' igniter occurs only because AC
electric was not earthed where AC wires entered the building.

One final point. If AC electric transients are entering the building
- damaging that stove igniter - then those transients may be finding
earth ground via gas lines. No problem as long as gas lines are
electrically conductive and are not leaking. But do you really want
destructive transients finding earth ground via gas pipes? Of course
not.

Fix your secondary protection 'system' including an upgrade to
necessary earthing that was required only after 1990. Inspect your
primary protection 'system' as demonstrated by pictures in:
http://www.tvtower.com/fpl.html

You asked for a solution. This is where a solution begins. Electric
company is not responsible for these solutions - homeowner is. If you
don't have a 'whole house' protector on AC mains, well then, protection
already inside all appliances (including the igniter) could be
overwhelmed. Solution begins with your post 1990 earthing requirements
AND with inspection of the utility's earthing. Verify they have
maintained what is your primary protection 'system'. Inspect or
upgrade your secondary protection 'system'. Install a 'whole house'
protector. Best is to have your responsibilities covered before
blaming an electric company for future failures.

sherwindu wrote:

I am not an electronics expert, but my limited knowledge tells me that certain
legs of transistors, such as ground, can be connected all the time to the power
source. I know that in certain TV's, there is constant power to the set, even
when it is not turned on. You can hear their transformers buzzing with the
sets powered off. Devices do not have to be powered on to receive
fluxuations in current and/or voltage. Switches only complete part of the
connection to power. There are other paths.

Do I think it was an act of nature that caused the power failure, no. Do I feel
that this device was somehow fried by the electric company, yes. Should I
have to install expensive and exotic whole house circuitry to fully protect my
house, I don't think so. If these electrical connections to a power grid are
potentially dangerous, let the power companies install their own equipment
to provide reasonable and safe service.

Sherwin D.


Hi,
That is BS. Electric company is to provide clean/stable power to
consumers. Also whole house surge protector is not 100% insurance.
I live in Calgary Alberta. In the past 40 years I never suffered
anything power related damage. During that time total power outage was
maybe maybe half an hour?