Surge Protecctors and CPAPS

Gustav Graves · Post by **Gustav Graves** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:01 pm

Any thoughts on using a surge protector between the machine and the electrical outlet - Reasons to use or not to use.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:34 pm

I used a surge protector for 3 years with my Resmed spirit. I use 1 with my PB420E. Could save your cpap in a T-storm. $15 well spent IMHO.

Chris

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:37 pm

My DME requires it for all my medical equipment...I don't think I've ever plugged mine strait into an outlet. The best thing I did was getting UPS so I have 'battery backup' if the power goes out in addition to being a surger protector.

derek · Post by **derek** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:45 pm

A slightly different answer. I found that my Respironics machines completely screwed up my X10 remote control home-automation devices all over the house. I had to install a line-filter into the socket that the xPAPs was plugged into to bring the house back to life.

Using a surge protector won't hurt, but is probably not necessary. I have run computer labs all my life (currently have more than 150 that I'm responsible for ) I've never used a surge protector, and I've never lost a single computer from spikes or surges (as far as I know). I think the risk is one of the big hyped up techno myths, just like monster cable for your stereo speakers. But, we're way, way off topic here
derek

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:56 pm

I would think that a surge suppressor would be a good idea. We live in a an area, that spikes and dips happen 24/7 (so beeps my s. s. anyhow when they hit). Can't hurt..........or can it?

Gustav Graves wrote:Any thoughts on using a surge protector between the machine and the electrical outlet - Reasons to use or not to use.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:35 pm

Derek, I need your power company.

I have replaced a central a/c unit , the whole thing, telephones, televisions, answering machines, all lthe light bulbs in the house. Twice ! Welded the phone right to the wall.

My PC had a surge protector

Everything is bigger in Texas ya know. Especially Thunderstorms.

I think I'll keep my surge protector

Now when I hear thunder I plug my cpap into my battery and go to sleep.

Cheers,

Chris

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 8:52 pm

I have to agree with chrisp. I have lost TV's, and several electronics to TEXAS surges. I now have all expensive electronics on surge protectors.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:30 pm

Derek - Betcha those labs are on a protected circuit. I am responsible for 50 pcs. All are on UPS. Office next to ours is on nothing. At least once yearly, they lose a pc from spikes, sags, outages...

Zees Pleez · Post by **Zees Pleez** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:46 pm

I have been in several small companies over the years and with the shoestring budgets, equipment was often plugged right into unprotected outlets. It is definitely rolling the dice; I have seen several machines smoked from surges. But none all that recently with one oddball exception - UPSes. I am not sure whether they have cleaner power here, where I have been for the last few years, or if the components just handle it better.

Hugh Jass · Post by **Hugh Jass** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:01 am

Another question.

Does a surcge protector work without a ground.

The Remstar is only a two prong plug, and my surge protector shows a yellow light which indicates that the unit is not properly protected.

The outlet (or "holes" as the guy on Seinfeld calls them) is grounded by a traditional 3 prong connection.

Am I protected against surges without a proper ground ?

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:07 pm

derek wrote:
Using a surge protector won't hurt, but is probably not necessary.

I might be a little more laidback for just a regular CPAP or even a autoPAP but with the cost of my BiPAP ST it isn't worth the risk. Actually with all my medical equipment I use at night I have $7000 (on-line prices) to $12,000 (DME prices) it just isn't worth the risk. And its not just the risk of damage to equipment but also having to have equipment replaced & insurance BS about who is going to pay (home insurance or health insurance).

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:15 pm

HJ, do you have a cheap unit or a good unit like a belkin ?

Are you sure you are talking about a Surge protector and not a Ground Fault outlet.
The surge protector shouldn't have anything to do with whats plugged into it. Or, Maybe its done its job and is toast.

Cheers,

Chris

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:02 pm

Hugh Jass wrote:Another question.

Does a surcge protector work without a ground.

The Remstar is only a two prong plug, and my surge protector shows a yellow light which indicates that the unit is not properly protected.

The outlet (or "holes" as the guy on Seinfeld calls them) is grounded by a traditional 3 prong connection.

Am I protected against surges without a proper ground ?

Usually that means the protector popped as Chris said... Get a new one and be thankful it was the surge protector and not whatever was plugged in.

Hugh Jass · Post by **Hugh Jass** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:46 am

My surge protector is brand new and I would say almost top of the line.

I have a similar surge protector for my audio equipment, and it too shows a yellow light (which means not fully protected according to the manual).

However, if I take the same surge protector and use it on my PC, the LED light is green, meaning fully protected.

So, the only differance is that the PC equipment has a three pronged plug (with ground) and the audio equipment (and CPAP) is only two pronged.

I presume that my equipment is protected against surges, even if it's only the surge protector that is grounded.

It's the yellow light that makes me a bit uneasy.

Regards

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 8:01 am

My question:

If you bought a surge protector from a DME would the following be the case?:

- You would need a prescription.

- They would first give you one that does not work and then provide you with a replacement after you fried your first machine.

- It would cost $250.

- They would not have it in stock and would need to order it for you, which would take 6 weeks.

- When it finally came in it would be the wrong size, but they would tell you it was the right size.

Surge Protecctors and CPAPS

Surge Protecctors and CPAPS

Re: Surge Protecctors and CPAPS