When Systems Save Lives. Really.

If You Own Electronic Stuff--(You Do)--Read On

Early this morning the electricity went out at 2 a.m. and, according to my wife, came back on almost immediately.

I didn't notice it. I can (and do) sleep through anything.

It sent a power surge through the electronics in my  home office. The surge protector into which things were connected is located on the floor. On the carpet.

When I awoke at 6:30 a.m., I sensed a familiar odor: electronic insulation burning.

My wife does not have a sense of smell. Really. She can sniff through anything.

The photos show the results of the surge on the surge protector as well as the carpet. I called my Firefighter friend, Mark McGuigan, who came right over and helped track down the source using his expertise. Thank you, Mark.

Note: A call directly to the fire department from a residence automatically prompts a three-alarm response. I am just a bit too introverted for that kind of attention until it's time to toast marshmallows.

Learning:

1. Surge protector components wear out and become less effective over time. (Thank you again, Mark).

Update and upgrade your surge protectors with some regularity. Money well spent.

Here is the actual set of reasons from specialists Fowler Associates courtesy of Robyn McIntyre.

2. Make sure your smoke detectors are actually working. Ours are, and there wasn't enough smoke to set them off quite yet.

3. Put your surge protector on a non-flammable surface or create an insulated surface for it. As you can see from the photos, it began to burn through the carpet.

We're re-configuring and re-wiring things in the office (I have lots of electronics).

Back with more on Talent and Systems after all the batteries re-charge and things are just right.

Comments

[Robyn]

Wow. Glad everything is alright! Thanks for the eye-opener.

[Steve Roesler]

Robyn,

Is there an easier way to learn stuff?

[Jo]

Sorry!

[Steve Roesler]

Thanks, Jo.

[Robyn]

Steve, online I discovered that most fire safety home inspection tips include no information on surge protectors, which I think is really a mistake. I did find this one spot that provides some excellent information on surge protectors and why it pays to upgrade them: http://www.sfowler.com/investigations/Surge%20Protectors.htm

[Andrew]

I just wanted to second the parts about protectors wearing out over time, and add a buying tip, i know there is at least one brand that actually monitors when that happens and is supposed to set off an audible alarm so you know it is time to go get a new one. also there is a rating on them in joules, the higher the number the better off but nothing is fool proof. Some protectors will actually tell you how many hours or years of service you can expect, that info is usually in the owners manual and may not be on the packaging.

[Steve Roesler]

Andrew, thanks for weighing in with the useful info.

Now I've got more to explore as we carefully re-do the systems in the office (and elsewhere).

I also received an email from a friend who tells me that he heard about some sort of surge protector that connects to the circuit breaker box. Supposedly, that single surge device will replace all the individual ones you would need in different rooms. Am checking into it.

[Amanda]

Wow, I didn't know the surge protector components actually wear out! Thanks for that info. Great post.

[Steve Roesler]

Amanda, it's kind of a "Why didn't we know that?" sort of thing.

We all use them but it's literally a "black box" issue. No moving parts so we don't hear anything.

This has turned out to be a heck of a learning.

[Steve Roesler]

Amanda, it's kind of a "Why didn't we know that?" sort of thing.

We all use them but it's literally a "black box" issue. No moving parts so we don't hear anything.

This has turned out to be a heck of a learning.

[Jim Stroup]

Steve,

It just never ceases to amaze me that no matter what sort of topic you introduce, it generates such wide and thoughtful interaction with such useful information that is so eminently worth reading!

And, by the way, glad to know that this device, as frail as it had become, nevertheless stood its ground, if you will, and kept you and your equipment safe.

[Steve Roesler]

Hi Jim,

It is terrific, isn't it? Folks are alert and willing to jump in with information and solutions that are immediately helpful as well as useful over the long run. It's much appreciated and I was talking with Barb about the hope that this will prompt people to update and upgrade their surge protectors.

Thanks for the good wishes; I just got back with a few new devices that are rated at 3500 joules vs. the 1500 or so of the last one.