Recall of old APC surge strips ... risk of fire

[Tsavo]

My ancient APC unit died after a power outage. Mine was in constant use for 18 years. I guess it had enough. No fire though.

I found this recall by accident.

Info:
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Schneider-Electric-Recalls-APC-Surge-Protectors/

Recall page:
http://recall.apc.com/en

This recall involves APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors manufactured before 2003. The model and serial numbers are located on a label on the bottom of the surge protector. The two numbers that follow the first letter or letters in the serial number sequence indicate the year of manufacture. The unit is included in the recall if the numbers are 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01 or 02. APC and the words Personal, Professional, Performance or Network are printed on the surge protectors. The following model numbers are included in this recall.

Look at the links for model and serial numbers.

 

[MustISO]

I sent my request when this was first announced. Got the replacements pretty quick. Never had an issue with the old ones. I'll still use them but not keep them plugged in all the time just in case.

 

[westom]

Never had an issue with the old ones.

How often do you have potentially destructive surges? Tyipcally once every seven years. Maybe even less often in your venue.

For example, is the dishwasher on a protector? If not, then how often are you replacing the surge damaged dishwasher?

Plug-in protectors do not claim to protect from typically destructive surges. And are often so undersized as to fail on surges even too tiny to overwhelm protection inside appliances. Read its specification numbers. How few joules does it absorb to fail?

Some protectors are so poor that a surge too tiny to damage nothing may even cause these grossly undersized protectors to cause a house fire.

What were you viewing to guess if a threat exists?

 

[Tsavo]

I sent my request when this was first announced. Got the replacements pretty quick. Never had an issue with the old ones. I'll still use them but not keep them plugged in all the time just in case.

Surge Protector Fire Investigation

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/apc-surge-protector-recall-(all-models-before-2003)/

I'd not use them unless you have marshmallows.

 

[bononos]

How often do you have potentially destructive surges? Tyipcally once every seven years. Maybe even less often in your venue.

For example, is the dishwasher on a protector? If not, then how often are you replacing the surge damaged dishwasher?

Plug-in protectors do not claim to protect from typically destructive surges. And are often so undersized as to fail on surges even too tiny to overwhelm protection inside appliances. Read its specification numbers. How few joules does it absorb to fail?
......

Are you sure that surge strips are often too undersized compared to the built in protection inside appliances like computer power supplies?

 

[westom]

Are you sure that surge strips are often too undersized compared to the built in protection inside appliances like computer power supplies?

You have assumed a same protector circuit is inside appliances. What is inside? Internal circuits are not just doing surge protection. For example, to create 5 or 12 volts from 120 VAC, electtronics create well over 300 volts. Then converts that into well over 300 volt radio frequency spikes. Then superior filters and regulators convert that 'dirtiest' power into rock solid, stable, low voltage DC.

Somehow ten cent protector parts in a $3 power strip will do same because it costs $25 or $85? Read its specification numbers. It only claims to absorb how many joules?

A completely different device, also called a surge protector and properly earthed, is necessary to protect those robust 'filters and regulators' inside every appliance. This well proven 'whole house' solution should be at least 50,000 amps. Because direct lightning strikes can be 20,000 amps.

Numerous solutions exist. But not in devices recommended only because someone was educated by advertising - rather than first learn how stuff works. Most do not even know that or why electronics has robust internal protection. Most only know what was told by advertising.