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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
Macbooks and powersurge damage: Prevention?
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<blockquote data-quote="bud--" data-source="post: 1332246" data-attributes="member: 225548"><p>The best information on surges and surge protection I have seen is at:</p><p><http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_lhm/IEEE_Guide.pdf></p><p>- "How to protect your house and its contents from lightning: IEEE guide for surge protection of equipment connected to AC power and communication circuits" published by the IEEE in 2005 (the IEEE is the major organization of electrical and electronic engineers in the US).</p><p>And also:</p><p><http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf></p><p>- "NIST recommended practice guide: Surges Happen!: how to protect the appliances in your home" published by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2001</p><p></p><p>The IEEE guide is aimed at those with some technical background. The NIST guide is aimed at the unwashed masses.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>"No protector required"?</p><p></p><p>The IEEE guide says “there is no requirement to limit the voltage developed between the core and the sheath. .... The only voltage limit is the breakdown of the F connectors, typically ~2–4 kV.” And "there is obviously the possibility of damage to TV tuners and cable modems from the very high voltages that can be developed, especially from nearby lightning." </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>A service panel protector is a real good idea. But from the NIST surge guide:</p><p>"Q - Will a surge protector installed at the service entrance be sufficient for the whole house?</p><p>A - There are two answers to than question: Yes for one-link appliances [electronic equipment], No for two-link appliances [equipment connected to power AND phone or cable or....]. Since most homes today have some kind of two-link appliances, the prudent answer to the question would be NO - but that does not mean that a surge protector installed at the service entrance is useless."</p><p></p><p>The NIST surge guide suggests that most equipment damage is from high voltage between power and phone/cable/... wires. (An example is in the IEEE surge guide starting page 30.) A service panel protector does not limit the voltage between power and phone/cable wires. A service panel protector should protect anything connected to only power wires.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>The maximum surge current that has any reasonable probability of occurring is 10,000A per power service wire (mentioned in the IEEE surge guide). That is based on a 100,000A strike to an adjacent utility pole in typical urban over head distribution. The IEEE surge guide has recommendations for the ratings on a service panel protector.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>This is nonsense.</p><p></p><p>Doesn't claim protection? Some plug-in protectors have protected equipment warranties.</p><p></p><p>The author of the NIST surge guide looked at the amount of energy that can reach a plug-in protector. With branch circuits of 10 m and longer, and surges up to 10,000A (as above) the maximum was a surprisingly small 35 joules. In 13 of 15 cases it was 1 joule or less. A plug-in protector with high ratings and connected correctly is likely to protect from even a very near very strong lightning strike.</p><p> </p><p>If using a plug-in protector all interconnected equipment needs to be connected to the same protector. External connections, like phone, also need to go through the protector. Connecting all wiring through the suppressor prevents damaging voltages between power and signal wires.</p><p></p><p>Any surge protector (service panel or plug-in) in the US (including UPSs with surge protection) should be listed under UL1449.</p><p></p><p>Every one of westom's "responsible companies" that make service panel protectors, except SquareD, also make plug-in protectors and say they are effective. SquareD says for their *best* service panel protector "electronic equipment may need additional protection by installing plug-in [protectors] at the point of use."</p><p></p><p>Both the IEEE and NIST surge guides say plug-in protectors are effective.</p><p></p><p>===========================</p><p>As cwa107 asked, are the places you use the computer in prone to surges?</p><p></p><p>Is the computer connected only to power? A service panel protector or plug-in protector are effective.</p><p></p><p>Does the computer have power plus phone or other signal wiring? A plug-in protector is effective. All external wires need to go through the protector.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="bud--, post: 1332246, member: 225548"] The best information on surges and surge protection I have seen is at: <http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_lhm/IEEE_Guide.pdf> - "How to protect your house and its contents from lightning: IEEE guide for surge protection of equipment connected to AC power and communication circuits" published by the IEEE in 2005 (the IEEE is the major organization of electrical and electronic engineers in the US). And also: <http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf> - "NIST recommended practice guide: Surges Happen!: how to protect the appliances in your home" published by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2001 The IEEE guide is aimed at those with some technical background. The NIST guide is aimed at the unwashed masses. "No protector required"? The IEEE guide says “there is no requirement to limit the voltage developed between the core and the sheath. .... The only voltage limit is the breakdown of the F connectors, typically ~2–4 kV.” And "there is obviously the possibility of damage to TV tuners and cable modems from the very high voltages that can be developed, especially from nearby lightning." A service panel protector is a real good idea. But from the NIST surge guide: "Q - Will a surge protector installed at the service entrance be sufficient for the whole house? A - There are two answers to than question: Yes for one-link appliances [electronic equipment], No for two-link appliances [equipment connected to power AND phone or cable or....]. Since most homes today have some kind of two-link appliances, the prudent answer to the question would be NO - but that does not mean that a surge protector installed at the service entrance is useless." The NIST surge guide suggests that most equipment damage is from high voltage between power and phone/cable/... wires. (An example is in the IEEE surge guide starting page 30.) A service panel protector does not limit the voltage between power and phone/cable wires. A service panel protector should protect anything connected to only power wires. The maximum surge current that has any reasonable probability of occurring is 10,000A per power service wire (mentioned in the IEEE surge guide). That is based on a 100,000A strike to an adjacent utility pole in typical urban over head distribution. The IEEE surge guide has recommendations for the ratings on a service panel protector. This is nonsense. Doesn't claim protection? Some plug-in protectors have protected equipment warranties. The author of the NIST surge guide looked at the amount of energy that can reach a plug-in protector. With branch circuits of 10 m and longer, and surges up to 10,000A (as above) the maximum was a surprisingly small 35 joules. In 13 of 15 cases it was 1 joule or less. A plug-in protector with high ratings and connected correctly is likely to protect from even a very near very strong lightning strike. If using a plug-in protector all interconnected equipment needs to be connected to the same protector. External connections, like phone, also need to go through the protector. Connecting all wiring through the suppressor prevents damaging voltages between power and signal wires. Any surge protector (service panel or plug-in) in the US (including UPSs with surge protection) should be listed under UL1449. Every one of westom's "responsible companies" that make service panel protectors, except SquareD, also make plug-in protectors and say they are effective. SquareD says for their *best* service panel protector "electronic equipment may need additional protection by installing plug-in [protectors] at the point of use." Both the IEEE and NIST surge guides say plug-in protectors are effective. =========================== As cwa107 asked, are the places you use the computer in prone to surges? Is the computer connected only to power? A service panel protector or plug-in protector are effective. Does the computer have power plus phone or other signal wiring? A plug-in protector is effective. All external wires need to go through the protector. [/QUOTE]
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