On Nov 9, 9:29 am, Atari26004Fun wrote:
On Nov 9, 9:20 am, Atari26004Fun wrote:





On Nov 8, 10:10 pm, w_tom wrote:

On Nov 8, 5:00 pm, Atari26004Fun wrote:

I have a Friederich 10k and 24k A/C but wall unit air conditioners.
These are only a few years old, but are not the newer models where the
plugs now come with the built in surge protector. I live in the North
East and like many other places is susceptible to many surges and
brownouts so I would also like the added protection of the surge
protectors of the newer units.

What are you trying to protect from? A surge protector does zero
for brownouts - despite others who recommend surge protectors for
brownouts.

Did you notice how that protector is wire? Connects the air
conditioner to the adjacent receptacle - and the protection circuit
does not change. Air conditioner connects directly to AC mains either
way - even through that protector. So what is that protector doing?

Any protection that might work on its power cord is already inside
the air conditioner. The plug-in device adds nothing. But it uses
the words 'surge' and 'protector'; therefore it must do something?
You are being sold on science based in 'word association'.

Do you believe that protector stops what three miles of sky could
not? It must to stop or absorb surges. Effective protectors don't
stop or absorb surges. Effective protectors shunt (divert, connect,
clamp) surges to earth. An earthed surge will not enter a building to
find your air conditioner. That earthing connection must be short
(ie. 'less than 10 feet').

If your air conditioner needs a protector, then critical items need
a protection more desperately. GFCIs in the kitchen. Each smoke
detector. Your furnace. GFCIs in each bathroom. Alarm system.
Other items equally as critical to an air conditioner include
dishwasher, microwave, clock radios, washer, expensive electric tools,
dimmer switches, dryer, each ceiling fan, electronically controlled
iron, ... You need maybe $2000 in plug-in protectors. Since that
protector does not have the dedicated earth ground connection, it also
does not even claim to provide protection from each type of surge.
Did they forget to mention each type of surge? Why?

If an air conditioner needs surge protection, then you need a surge
protector that actually provides protection from all types of surges
AND has a dedicated connection to earth. A surge that does not enter
the building will not overwhelm existing protection inside all those
appliances. An effective protector is sold by responsible companies
such as Square D, Siemens, Cutler-Hammer, Intermatic, Leviton, GE, and
others. Radio Shack is not on that list. Radio Shack solution has not
dedicated earthing wire; does not even discuss earth ground. Show me
where Radio Shack lists each type of surge and numbers for the
protection? It does not. So what is it protecting?

Take that $2 plug assembly. Add some $0.10 parts. Sell it for
$18? With a price markup that high, then why mention it only protects
from a type of surge that does not typically cause damage. Profits
are too high to be honest.

If that air conditioner needs protection, then so does everything
else. Effective protector with the dedicated earthing wire means
protection even for much more important smoke detectors at about $1
per appliance - 18 times less money. When do you most need those
smoke detectors? During the rare and destructive surge.

Responsible engineering sources cite earthing as essential for surge
protection. So protection 'system' don't even have a surge protector
(ie cable TV) but all must have the earth ground connection. Same
thing makes Ben Franklin's lightning rods effective. Earth ground.
Protector only connects surges to earth. Earth is where all that
energy is dissipated without harm. No earth ground? No effective
protection. Your household earthing must be upgraded to meet and
exceed post 1990 NEC requirements if surges are to not enter a
building.

Get your earthing upgrades because earthing provides the
protection. Then install one 'whole house' protector to make that
'less than 10 foot' earthing connection. Spend less money. Have
protection from the type of surge that actually harms appliances. A
surge that does not enter the building will not overwhelm protection
that is already inside all appliances.

Thank you all for your help. This was certainly an education for me.
Yes, I looked and you are all right that it is a built-in GFI
protector, not a surge protector. The only reason I asked is because
the retailer I bought these from said to get one when I went back and
said I had the old style plugs. Apparently this was not good advice
and I'm glad I checked here first. Again, many thanks to you all.
Regards.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

By the way, since we're on the topic, what does the built-in GFI
protector do? Should I have the outlets changed to one with GFI
protection, but they are single dedicted line outlets. Is it really
that important. Thanks.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

A GFCI cuts off the current when it detects a small difference in
current between the hot and neutral on the loads it is protecting.
The currents should be equal. If they are not, it indicates there is
some other path the current is taking, ie to ground through a fault.
It does this so fast and with such a small current, that it protects
YOU from being that ground fault path. For example, if you took a
wet hair dryier in one hand and grabbed a faucet with another, a
regular circuit breaker would not do anyting until the total current
exceeded the limit of that breaker, eg 15, 20 amps etc. You'd be
dead by then. The GFCI opens very fast with only a few milliamps of
current flowing to ground, thereby preventing you from getting
electrocuted. That' why they are required in baths, kitchens,
outside, etc.

I wouldn't worry about one for an air conditioner. Just make sure it
has a proper ground. You can buy a simple plug in outlet tester that
will tell you if the outlet is wired properly, has a ground, etc.