Another dumb surge protector question

[plr66]

I have just gotten a small surge protector I can use for travel with my PB 420E apap. In case AC recepticle is away from bedside, I need to pack an extension cord I guess. So does the s.p. go directly into the wall? And will the s.p still work okay with an extension cord plugged into it, with my apap at the other end (as opposed to having the s.p. in the middle, so to speak). Seems like I've read that factory recommendation is for the power cube of the xpap to be plugged directly into the wall, so this setup might be all wrong?

[Bearded_One]

If the surge protector is grounded (has three prongs), the surge protector should be plugged into the wall.

[plr66]

If the surge protector is grounded (has three prongs), the surge protector should be plugged into the wall.

Thanks, oh bearded one. And is it then okay that the machine is plugged into an extension cord rather than directly into the s.p. in the wall recepticle? (Not to be tedious or anything.... ).

[StevenJ]

Every hotel I've been in has at least one night stand next to the bed with a clock an lamp plugged into a nearby receptacle. Unfortunately, that means you can't plug in the CPAP unless you un-plug the lamp or clock. To remedy that, I travel with a grounded 3-way splitter. I plug that into one of the duplex receptacle outles then plug the clock and lamp into it. That leave the other outlet for the CPAP.

With the splitter, I've never needed an extension cord while traveling. The equipment manufacturers generally recommend against using extension cords. I believe that's for safety reasons (tripping hazard) and concern the end user will use an ungrounded cord or one with insufficient current carrying capacity. My machine (with humidifier) has a maximum power consumption less than than that of a 100w light bulb. That's a very smal load and doesn't reqire large conductor cable, but to be extra extra cautions I would not use an extension cable smaller than 14 AWG (larger AWG numbers indicate smaller conductor size, i.e. 16 gage is smaller than 14 gage). If you do use an extension cable, make sure it is the 3-conductor type (with the grounding wire).

As long as the CPAP is downstream of the surge protector, it doesn't matter whether the surge protector plugs into the extension cable or vise-versa.

[boston]

One thing my DME told me was to never, ever use an extension cord, but power strips are ok.

[Gerald]

Plr66.....

Something you need to know......Your little surge protector is probably good for only one spike....and after that, there's no indication as to whether or not you still have protection. The spike is diverted to ground by a MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) that sacrifices itself to protect your CPAP. Usually, one shot ....and the're dead.

The only way I know to be sure of protection....is to purchase a "ZeroSurge"....but they're expensive (approx $200) and heavy (approx 5-lbs).....not a good traveler.

Gerald

[plr66]

I travel with a grounded 3-way splitter. I plug that into one of the duplex receptacle outles then plug the clock and lamp into it. That leave the other outlet for the CPAP.

Steven, if I am traveling to a country using 220v, do I need a special 220 splitter to plug into the 110-220 s.p. that I will use?

As long as the CPAP is downstream of the surge protector, it doesn't matter whether the surge protector plugs into the extension cable or vise-versa.

Thanks. Would a small power strip work for the specs you gave above?

[Bearded_One]

plr66, it is perfectly safe to use an extension cord, even the lightweight cheap ones. There are the usual warnings concerning extension cords, such as not letting the rug rats play with it, don't plug an electric heater into it, and don't use it as a jump rope while it is plugged in.

The lightweight cheap extension cords are probably even the best, because they have 3-way outlets and you can also plug the clock and the camera or cell phone battery charger into it.

[Bearded_One]

When you are traveling you can plug your extension cord into the outlet adapter and then plug your cpap into the extension cord; just make sure that anything you plug into the cord can also work off of 220 volts.

[Arthurs]

Keep in mind the voltage rating of your surge protector when traveling overseas. If it's rated only for 120 Volts, then plugging it into 220/240 Volt receptacle may let the magic smoke out if you know what I mean! You may need to buy a surge protector for higher voltages.

[plr66]

Keep in mind the voltage rating of your surge protector when traveling overseas. If it's rated only for 120 Volts, then plugging it into 220/240 Volt receptacle may let the magic smoke out if you know what I mean! You may need to buy a surge protector for higher voltages.

Yes, thanks. My travel S.P. is made for 220/240, and so was wondering about whether all the other components, such as a splitter and/or extension cord needed to also be made for the higher voltage. Bearded One says "not."

[Bearded_One]

plr66, if you don't believe what I told you in my response to your mail, please do the proper thing and go to your DME and buy the proper cord set that is specified by your CPAP manufacturer for the country that you are going to. I have nothing further to say to you in this matter.

Cheap US dime store extension cords use 16 GA SPT-2 wire which is rated for 13 Amps and 300 volts. The extension cord sets themselves are UL rated for 13 Amps and 125 volts. The cord set that comes with your CPAP is probably also rated at 125 volts or so, if so, it is also not UL rated for use on 220 volts.

[plr66]

plr66, if you don't believe what I told you in my response to your mail, please do the proper thing and go to your DME and buy the proper cord set that is specified by your CPAP manufacturer for the country that you are going to. I have nothing further to say to you in this matter.

Yike. Where did that reaction come from? I was reiterating what you said for others. Not questioning it.

[OldLincoln]

People tend to over think things like this. You don't give a thought about circuit loading on the house or hotel room wiring but get all a dither over an extension cord. My advice is get over it. These things use a small current flow and after the miles of wiring from the power station to your room outlet, another few feet of wire is not going to hurt the precious machine.

Without looking it up, I'm sure my unit with humidifier draws less than 5 watts total and a my extension is rated for 15 amps (1800 watts) - most likely the same as the house circuit. A DME saying don't do it probably has "no" as a default answer for anything he doesn't know about.

Bottom line - extension cords (in good condition) are safe. I bought mine new, store it in my system bag and use it only for that & charging my cell.

[Paul56]

Resmed S8 AutoSet II consumes 20 watts @ 20 cm H20.
Resmed Humidaire 3i consumes 85 watts @ full power.

105 watts total when the machine is working at capacity... and who operates their machines at full capacity 100% of the time? In any case even at maximum power that is not very much power consumption.