Electrical Storms

onemorething · Post by **onemorething** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:40 pm

To the point. If there is a severe electrical storm should the CPAP macine be turned off? What if there is a surge protector?

Last night I had a severe storm. I woke up and for the first time I wasn't sure what to do. So I shut it down and waited for about an hour. Usually I don't get to uptight about storms, but last night I was uneasy. Even my dog wasn't happy. So any suggestions would help a lot.

We had one earlier this evening and I hope none in the early am.
Thanks.
onemorething

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Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:57 pm

At the minimum, I would suggest plugging it into a (GOOD) surge protector (not just an outlet strip). A lightning strike should not be able to get past that.
Next step up would be to get a UPS (Uninteruptable Power Supply).

Best wishes,

Den

onemorething · Post by **onemorething** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:02 pm

Wulfman,

Thank you for a quick reply. I will head to Radio Shack tomorrow. I really appreciate the help. I was really nervous.

Linda(onemorething)

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:54 pm

A surge protector is always a good idea for sensitive electronic equipment. It may help some in a storm but consider this, the lightning strike is going to be huge. It has travelled across the air to the earth. Remember it takes about 16000 volts to arc across a spark plug in your vehicles engine. The spark plug gap is set in thousandths of an inch. Calculate the voltage based on that and do you really think a little Metal Oxide Varistor is going to save your equipment. Those surge protectors are meant to handle voltage spikes coming down a power line that are generated by the power station itself or by industry close by and they usually do a great job of it by protecting the electronic circuitry beyond the wall outlet. But don't get feeling too comfortable that it will protect your machine if a hydro line close by is exposed to a direct hit because it won't. Here is a link to some more info on lightning strikes:

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/wxsafety/lightning/

A family across the road from us had their chimney of all things hit about 10 years ago. The people next door to them lost a TV set on a surge protector, phones, computer and fax on surge protectors and a clock radio. We had 2 touch lamps that failed to work after this. We found out later even some people 4 doors down had damaged electrical equipment.

onemorething · Post by **onemorething** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:20 am

Darth,

Well. I have more to think about. Thank you for the other site. I have looked at it and made a copy. So I guess you are saying," UPLUG IT". I also have a hearing loss and I use flashers to get my attention. Lightning has hit those in the past. My computer has also been destroyed via a storm in the past. So what is a gal to do?

My mask used to be like your. Now I use a nasal pillow and the mask isn't really there. So at least that helps.

Thanks, again.
onemorething

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:38 am

Onemorething, if the storm isn't too serious I wouldn't worry about disconnecting the unit from the wall plug. But if you are concerned you could run your unit off a battery (no heated humidifier though because it would likely drain the battery faster) during stormy times. That would be a solution I would consider instead of not using the machine.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:32 am

One other thought on this subject.

If the storms are THAT bad.....you're (potentially) going to get a lot of other electrical appliances zapped (refrigerator, freezer, TV, and anything that's plugged in, AND your home).....I would be checking my homeowner's insurance policy to see what your coverage is for these situations. I wouldn't be worrying only about my CPAP machine.

Den

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:54 am

Wulfman wrote:If the storms are THAT bad.....you're (potentially) going to get a lot of other electrical appliances zapped (refrigerator, freezer, TV, and anything that's plugged in, AND your home).....

I've got a surge protector installed at the main electrical breaker box for the house. I've also got surge protectors on my APAP and all computers. Only problem I've had is surges on the phone line burning up modem cards and telephones. One time they even burned up a phone line surge protector built into a power strip. The surge protector did protect the modem that time though . . . I no longer have a need for using a modem so I no longer have any connected, and phones are so cheap I don't worry about phones at all.

Wulfman wrote:I would be checking my homeowner's insurance policy to see what your coverage is for these situations. I wouldn't be worrying only about my CPAP machine.

I still vote for surge protectors first, particularly on sensitive expensive electronic equipment. With good surge protectors even if you have to fix the wiring in your house because of a direct strike, your equipment should still be protected. (The operative word here is "Good".)

Regards,
Bill