Surge Protectors

When I picked up my first CPAP 2 weeks ago I ask my DME Tech if I should plug my machine into a surge suppressor. Being that I have been informed as to the need to protect my computer and various other "modern day electronics" from line drops and spikes, I thought it would be necessary. My tech said that he did not think so, and that in two years of working there, no one had ask that question. Has anyone had any problems due to power issues and do you think a Surge Protector is necessary ?

I use a surge protector. If you use on your computer and TV why wouldn't you use it on cpap machine for the same reason?

Snuff-L-Reddy wrote:When I picked up my first CPAP 2 weeks ago I ask my DME Tech if I should plug my machine into a surge suppressor. Being that I have been informed as to the need to protect my computer and various other "modern day electronics" from line drops and spikes, I thought it would be necessary. My tech said that he did not think so, and that in two years of working there, no one had ask that question. Has anyone had any problems due to power issues and do you think a Surge Protector is necessary ?

I've never had to use my seat belt, but I always wear one. The same is true for your CPAP and the surge protector.

Don't assume the DME is looking out for your best interest. What would happen if a surge killed your machine? You'd get crappy nights of sleep until you purchased another machine from your DME.

apneawho wrote:I use a surge protector. If you use on your computer and TV why wouldn't you use it on cpap machine for the same reason?

Hi, Snuff,
A couple months before we 'got CPAP' we had a near-by lightning strike.. not a direct hit, but close enough to fizzle two surge protectors, one in the bedroom and one in the dining room. My computers, etc were on surge protectors; now everything I can is on surge protectors: CPAP, washing machine (Cost $250 for the board in new washer!! ), electronics.... It's inexpensive protection; look for 2000+ joules protection, plus phone and cable lines. SAM's is a good place, as are online electronics vendors.

n0hardmask wrote:

apneawho wrote:I use a surge protector. If you use on your computer and TV why wouldn't you use it on cpap machine for the same reason?

Hi, Snuff,
A couple months before we 'got CPAP' we had a near-by lightning strike.. not a direct hit, but close enough to fizzle two surge protectors, one in the bedroom and one in the dining room. My computers, etc were on surge protectors; now everything I can is on surge protectors: CPAP, washing machine (Cost $250 for the board in new washer!! ), electronics.... It's inexpensive protection; look for 2000+ joules protection, plus phone and cable lines. SAM's is a good place, as are online electronics vendors.

It's probably not a bad idea to have a whole house surge protector installed.

The surge protectors we buy at Lowe's or Target use MOV's (metal oxide varistors) and one small surge will fry 'em.

If you want real surge protection, I've only found one that I trust. Check out the real stuff at zerosurge.com and be protected. Their products protect my Unix office server, all terminals, all printers, and all the delicate electronics that I have at home. I probably own about (8) Zero Surge units..........and I won't touch anything else when I want true protection. The product will take thousands of jolts without damage.....and uses no MOV's. Highly, highly recommended. I've used them for over 20-years.

G

I see that whole house surge protections are available for around $100 - $200.
I'm going to get one and have an electrician instal it at the circuit panel.
That way my CPAP, TVs, computers, washer, dryer and 2 four ton HVAC units will be better protected.

If anyone can recommend a particular whole house protector i would appreciate it

-UB

davelikesbeer wrote:It's probably not a bad idea to have a whole house surge protector installed.

I am considering this option as it seems that nearly everything I have plugged in has silicon chips controlling them.

Might remember. If it goes up in a surge, DME gets to sell a whole new machine to someone.

RE: Whole House Surge Protector
I considered this and ran across a statement that when they go, an electrician has to come out and replace it before you have power. Check first to see if this is true: I decided I could buy several 'disposable' units rather than possibly wait for an electrician to come out. The post above on the Zeo-surge is interesting; haven't resesarched that yet. Great input from the forum.

I have whole house surge protection and I got it from my power company. It installs in the panel outside and then the electric meter plugs into it. They also put protection on the incoming cable line plus phone line. I've had it for about 15 years.

Surge protectors are a general good idea, however many out there are close to useless. They don't protect you from low voltage or brownouts.

Good protection costs money $$$, I use a UPS on my computers.

The best way to protect household equiptment is a whole house Surge Protector, installed and serviced by a qualified electriction, separate UPS's for computers, and good surge suppressors on other electric devices at point of connection. Also the house must be wired to code at all plugs, many aren't.

Doing thing right can be costly, I have yet to live in a house that the wiring was up to code, the difference is that I am aware of it. Jim

Because of the external power supply brick on most modern CPAP machines, they're probably a little less susceptible to power surges. If they do get damaged, it's most likely that the power brick will be the only thing damaged.

However, the CPAP machine is the still the thing I'm most careful about putting a surge protector on. I don't want to lose it.

1) Whatever surge protector you get, read the instructions. Many of them will burn out over time even without a big surge and stop protecting. They have a little light that stays lit when it's protecting, and goes out when they have burned out.

Some may work the other way, with a light that comes on when it needs replacement. Read the instructions.

2) There's a lot of snake oil and outright fraud in surge protector marketing.

3) None of them are 100% surge proof.

4) A whole house surge protector may be the best choice. Even if you have a whole house surge protector, a surge protector right at the device is still a good idea.

5) Some people think a "UPS" is the ultimate in surge protection. However, most UPSs produce a "MSW" output waveform, which may damage some equipment. In particular ResMed says the humidifiers on S8 machines will be damaged by MSW waveforms.

6) Don't forget that you can unplug things if a lightning storm is approaching. Even if you do have a surge protector. Simply turning off the switch on a power strip will be a little safer than leaving it on.

The best way is simple unplug from the wall outlet and then you safe.

n0hardmask wrote:RE: Whole House Surge Protector
I considered this and ran across a statement that when they go, an electrician has to come out and replace it before you have power. Check first to see if this is true: I decided I could buy several 'disposable' units rather than possibly wait for an electrician to come out. The post above on the Zeo-surge is interesting; haven't resesarched that yet. Great input from the forum.

I don't think this is true in general, but find out for sure with any whole house unit you consider buying.

Even a whole house surge protector may quit working after a while. Be sure to find out if it has an indicator light you need to check periodically, and how you know if it's still good. Personally, I'd insist on a unit with a light that indicates it's still working, and that it be installed where you can see the light.