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From: Cant-sew-a-lick
Date: 12-04-2005, 06:20 AM (1 of 16)
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I live in an area with very erratic weather patterns. We get alot of thunderstorms and lightning. I also live in a rural area that is subject to frequent power outages. These can last for an hour or just a sudden flicker (usually when I'm in the middle of posting, so I have to rewrite everything!) due to suicidal squirrells. Do any of you have your machines, especially the computerized ones, plugged into a surge protector? I was just sitting here looking at my setup and my machine is run straight from the wall outlet via an extension cord straight into the machine. Mine isn't computerized, but, I don't think a direct hit by a power surge would help it in anyway  , I better make a trip to Lowes for a protector.
My dogs need clothes!
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User: Cant-sew-a-lick
Member since: 11-07-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: Catalina
Date: 12-04-2005, 07:48 AM (2 of 16)
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Yes, I have both my sewing machine and serger plugged into a surge protector, as our electric goes out sometimes. I don't know if it will help, but makes me feel better. |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-04-2005, 08:08 AM (3 of 16)
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It isn't just the surges. The dips in power can take a bigger tole than the surges. I had an electrician tell me that everytime you get a dip or surge, you equipment weakens and it shortens the life-span of your appliances and equipment. A good well-rated power surge arrestor can help, but it is recommended to put your equipment on a UPS system which supplies steady power through the surge and the dip and limits the damage to your system. Some will just shut down your equipment, some will allow operation beyond a power outtage and allow you to shut it down or operate by steady battery.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 12-04-2005, 08:18 AM (4 of 16)
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Yep I have both my computer and my sewing machine plugged into a surge protector. And from what you said about the power outages in your area, I would suggest that you get one for anything that you would not want to have to replace, e.g. TV, computer, sewing machine. And I would suggest that you buy a good protector (e.g. a high number of joules) because it will protect you longer. All surge protectors have a finite life and will stop functioning after they have absorbed the specified number of joules. It sounds like you have a lot of surges in your area!
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: allie-oops
Date: 12-04-2005, 09:28 AM (5 of 16)
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My sewing machines and computer are plugged into surge protectors - but I would really like to get the good ones, battery-operated. When a machine costs $5,000 you want to protect it! Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 12-04-2005, 09:38 PM (6 of 16)
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Yes. It makes no sense to have a multi-thousand dollar piece of equipment left unprotected agaisnt power surges but like Pararoper said the other big threat is just power fluctuations. In the part of the country I am in we expect electronic failure in 6-7 years if the machine is not kept on a Current conditioner. With one we can expect 20 - 30 years. I cannot tell you how many circuit boards I replace that the customer had the machine on a Surge Protector without a current conditioning feature. "Dirty Electricity" also shortens the life of our computers but ussually we are replacing the computer often enough that we don't realize it. Most of us hope to keep our sewing machines longer. In most cases home owners insurance will cover damage due to power surges and lightning strikes but I know of none that will cover damage do to "dirty electricity" or power fluctuations. All of the top Sewing machine manufactures recommend the Panamax 4-tel.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 12-05-2005, 02:08 AM (7 of 16)
| Thanks Tom for that info. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 12-05-2005, 05:47 PM (8 of 16)
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Tom, I'm in Canada and have never seen that brand. What would I look for when buying to know whether it has the current conditioning feature? I don't remember ever seeing anything about this.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-05-2005, 09:31 PM (9 of 16)
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I never heard of that brand either. We keep all our computers, phones and sewing machines on APC, UPS. Never had a problem in 10 yr of living in lightening central (FL).
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: paroper
Date: 12-05-2005, 09:35 PM (10 of 16)
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We use APC too. The college where my husband works uses them, so we just made the natural transition.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 12-05-2005, 11:50 PM (11 of 16)
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Your Bernina, Pfaff, or Viking dealer will probably carry the Panamax. If not, they can order it (in the US. I don't know if the Canadian divisions are carrying them). In the U.S. Arkanasas and Tennessee are the states that need current conditioning the most. I have mailed several of these to central Canada so I suspect they have similair problems. Panamax is not sold in chain stores as the company is very particular to make sure you get the best model for the type of protection you need so they don't want you pulling one off the shelf without talking to someone about it. Of their dozens of models the Max Tel 4 is the one best suited for Computerized sewing machines. There are other suitable models but they are over-kill. Almost any Surge protector will protect against lightning strikes and other large power surges. The benifit of a current conditioner is protection against erratic current. Bear in mind that no surge protector can protect 100% against lightning strikes. A lightning bolt that has just jumped 6 miles across the sky will have no trouble jumping the 1/8" across the surge protector's switch. However, they greatly improve your odds. This is where the protectors warranty comes in. Read it carefully. A few years ago I lost a computer to a strike. When I tried to use the Warranty (it was an APC) I found that the warranty conditions where such that it made it impossible to collect on. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 12-06-2005, 11:08 PM (12 of 16)
We have a number of Apc battery backUp plus surge protectors We have more power outages than anywhere I know of. Had another one this morning & not a cloud in the sky. We all laugh about them, just our wonderful Fl. power & light co. Thank heavens I do have time to shut stuff down before any damage is done. If it's thundering & lightning I don't sew or go on the computer. Ac is protected as well. It shuts down at the slightest problem. I'm not saying something can never happen but we try. Here in Collier County we're known as the lightning captial of the world. Sure not proud of that fact. FP&L wants everyone to pay them for surge protection. 
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User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: paroper
Date: 12-06-2005, 11:18 PM (13 of 16)
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I thought that we had a lot of outages too. I needed a little bit of electrical work done, so I hired an electrician. That's when I found out that our 12 room house was on ONE CIRCUIT! The house was built in 1937 so it really needed electrical updating (ouch).
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 12-07-2005, 12:00 AM (14 of 16)
| Ours isn't electrial . All new wiring & plenty of circuits. Everyone here has the surges & outages.No old appliances either. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 12-07-2005, 12:03 AM (15 of 16)
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At my house, my side of the street will go out, but no across the street. We could be out for a couple of days while everyone around us has power. I live in your typical subdivision, and our electric company has no good reason why this happens. Same with cell phones, it will work on one side but not the other.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-07-2005, 05:31 AM (16 of 16)
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I live in the country. As time has passed, a lot of houses have been added to the area. We aren't too far from the electric company. We all use the same electric company but when the company put the lines in, they used several sets of feeder lines so that many of the houses around can go dark, beside each other, across the street from each other, and many houses before and (after) that house can be dark but houses right next to it can have electricity. For the most part, it is houses on one side of the street vs houses on the other, but sometimes the feeder lines cross over.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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