Plug in wall vs. surge protection

[pats]

Almost all my home electronic devices and chargers get their electricity through outlet strips with surge protection.

The installation instructions for my APAP called for direct plug into the wall, without an extension cord.

I live in San Diego, and we are getting into summer, the high electricity demand period, as well as the high wild fire season. San Onofre, a major local power plant, is currently shut down and is unlikely to be at full power. That means an increased risk of power cuts that can cause surges.

Does anyone know the reason for the advice against an extension cord? I don't like the idea of a piece of equipment costing several hundred dollars and including a computer sitting there are the mercy of the electrical utility, without a surge protector between it and the wall.

[Slartybartfast]

They're addressing that to the ragged low end of the IQ bell curve. The extension cord caution is standard boilerplate from the Fire Marshall who would likely prefer extension cords to be outlawed because a few people misuse them. The blanket statement to not plug into an outlet strip is probably because a few ignorami will also plug electric space heaters, lamps, electric blankets, etc. into the same strip and draw so much current during the night, the voltage available to run the CPAP machine drops below its minimum specification.

But we enlightened folks know better, don't we?

[JoeP]

My DME said no to extension cords but power strips are ok. I think by extension cord they are aimed more at the small thin cords that usually have the outlets at the end.

[pats]

The responses make sense to me. I have a nice solid surge-protector strip that only has a couple of chargers on it. I think the APAP would be safer there.

[chunkyfrog]

The power capacity of all UL rated power strips and devices is marked on the back in amps.
If you add up the peak ampere draw on each item plugged in, and subtract the total from the rating of the power strip,
your result should be a positive number--the bigger the better. Do the math twice, to be safe.

[jlklinko]

My DME also told me to get a surge protector strip.

[IndyDave]

Yeah, it's lawyer stuff so you can't sue them if you have 5 extension cords strung together and then trip over them. You know you can have a surge protector put on your power meter outside your house, to protect everything inside? You can have an electrician do it, or often your power company will do it. They cost around $100 or so. I went through my power company (Duke Energy), and they put it on my bill over a year, and they also supply insurance for your electronics for something like $1.50 per month on the bill.

[Maxie]

I wouldn't dream of not using a power strip with my TV or computer so why would I use my CPAP machine without one? Not the same one for all three.

[Tino2You]

My DME no more than three hours ago told me "Don't use an extension cord, but power strips with a surge protector is ok"

[hobbs]

I did the whole house. If you think about it almost everything you plugin has a chip in it.

http://www.surgeassure.com/product.aspx?prod=TE%2f1C40

[physicsbob]

I use both a whole house surge suppressor and high quality surge suppressor power strips, for my apap battery charger, computers and other electronics. I have lost electronics in the past even on plug-in surge suppressors. High quality ones, like Iso-Bar brand and others are fused and have line noise suppression. These are cheap protection when it comes to today's electronics. Back in the eighties and nineties a lot of the computer power supplies and televisions had these built-in but I hardly see this any more in home electronics. It is a true shame that companies aren't building quality products any more, the cost to add these to a product would only add about a dollar to the cost and would add years of use.

[-tim]

Whole house is the way to go. They come in surge and lighting protection types so you can get both. If your power lines are above ground and run near the top of a hill, get a lighting arrestor as well as a surge protector. While you're getting work done, get a ground fault interrupter or "safty swtich" installed. New code in Canada now requires arc detectors in bedrooms which are even better since the new devices detect the early faults that can lead to fires or electrocutions.

My remmed says no extension cords as well yet most major cities around here are wired up like the house is on a mile long extension cord. There isn't a sane engineering reason for it other than to decrease the risk of a plug or socket being too loose. Since the machine uses water, there is a risk there if the cord gets plugged in where the water can be spilled on it.

Put the machine where it will be safe and secure and give you enough room for the hose to move freely. If you have to use an extension cord to get it there, that should be safer than stretching the hose and having the machine end up broken on the floor... maybe even spilling water on the power cord.

[Gerryk]

I use and recommend a good power strip. Not one of those $5.00 ones from Walmart. Get a good one in case of power surgers.

The extension cord thing goes back to a few things. 1. If you need an extension cord, you need more outlets. Hire an electrician and have the proper outlets. 2. Extension cords are dangerous in more than one way. People trim on them, hide them under throw rugs and they end up causing fires. Pets bite them and end up crispy critters. 3. Actually part of number 2. Most people use the wrong size or rated extension cord. When using an extension cord, use one that is rated for the amp draw the device you are using requires. Better yet have an electrician install new outlets where you need to plug the devices in.

Extension cords are meant for temporary use such as operating a portable power saw or drill, not something you regularly use.


Don't use extension cords, they do cause fires.