Re: Whole house surge suppressors

From: Charles Perry (pipesandtobacco_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 07/08/04 

Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2004 07:01:14 -0400

"w_tom" <w_tom1@usa.net> wrote in message
news:dfee1359.0407072142.4560ad12@posting.google.com...
> Yes communication ports are easily damaged where they are used beyond
> what they were designed for. Two examples are RS-232 ports and
> outside speakers to a stereo amp. However first one must ask where
> was the incoming and outgoing path for that damage.

You missed part of the discussion of the paper I referenced. Even with
proper grounding, you can get a large induced voltage at the appliance.
Believe me. We have done the testing for NIST. A whole house surge
protector only protects for overvoltages on the power. It does NOT protect
for potential difference between power and communications. These potential
differences are the cause of many failures. Perhaps you should google a
NIST document called "Surges Happen".

Charles Perry P.E.