How do you protect your machine from electrical spikes?

I keep one of these on the end of my CPAP power cord at all times.

http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/mo ... odelID=120

Even if I plug it into another surge suppressor/power strip, I use it. Sometimes one device on an electrical circuit/power strip will throw out a spike that may affect other devices on the same circuit. I like having protection on each device for special devices like my CPAP machine. It's also good to have if I'm traveling.

Remember to check the little lights on any surge suppressor and replace it if the lights go out. Most surge suppressors lose their surge suppression capabilities over time and need to be replaced.

I bought 4 of these at Amazon last time for $7 each and got free shipping. Shipping is a killer on inexpensive items like this. Watch the price on these items. It seems to vary a lot between sellers and even from time to time with the same seller.

They will block an adjacent outlet on some power strips, so the pigtail splitter cords below are another good thing to have to carry when traveling. I think I found them cheaper elsewhere, so shop around.

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimited- ... 155&sr=1-2

BEST BUY
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/360+Electri ... &cp=1&lp=7

KatyDidAgain wrote:

BlackSpinner wrote: Or you could get surge protectors on your electrical box when you rewire your house.

I think rewiring the house (which isn't ours to begin with) is probably going slightly overboard.

Protectors that work require no house rewiring. That Isobar and other adjacent protectors can even make CPAP damage easier. And do not even claim effective surge protection. They are sold on spin. Surge protector sounds like surge protection. Therefore it must be same.

Take a $3 power strip. Add some ten cent protector parts. Sell it as a surge protector for $25 or $60. It is not protection. It is a profit center. Same circuit is in a $10 protector selling in a supermarket. Or do you automatically assume a higher price means better quality?

Monster's long history is to profit from price myths. Monster identifies scams. Then sells a similar product for even higher prices. Same protector circuit inside a Monster box may sell for $80 or $150. Because paint is fancier and the advertising is slick, then a majority believe it must be better. A $3 power strip with ten cent protector parts and fancier promotion has what kind of profit margin? Do you listen to hearsay or read its spec numbers? It does not even claim protection from destructive surges. But it looks ...

More responsible companies sell solutions that actually protect a CPAP. Names include ABB, General Electric, Square D, Intermatic, Leviton, Keison, and Siemens. A Cutler-Hammer solution sells in Lowes and Home Depot for less than $50. If your CPAP needs protection, then so does the furnace, air conditioner, dishwasher, and ... what most needs protection during a surge? Smoke detectors. All are protected by properly earthing one 'whole house' protector. Same solution is also used in your telco's CO. And where surges must never cause damage -- munitions dumps.

Reliable facilities do not waste money on protectors (ie Isobar) that claim ineffective protection. Where are those spec numbers for protection? Never posted because a manufacturer does not claim that protection. Plug-in protectors are promoted by hearsay and advertising. Superior solution is earthed at the breaker box. So that nobody even knows a direct lightning strike existed. Effective protectors even earth direct lightning strikes. And do not fail. For about $1 per protected appliance.