Surge protector for washing machine?

john 1775

Freedom is given, liberty is what you take.
Brass Subscriber
#1
Anyone recommend a protector ?

Something that just plugs in to the 120 outlet. Can't find anything local and the only other is one on Amazon that looks cheap.

A fellow told me his washer repairman told him to get one due to the fancy electronics in the washer.
 

HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#2
First, tell me you wanna do somethjng cheap, or go First Class, and protect the whole House, and everything in it?

Remember, EVERYTHING that has a Clock Display, or "Instant-On" circuitry, like Microwave, TVs, Cable Boxes, Video Amplifiers, etc...will DIE if Spiked by EMP, CME, or just the Dairy or Processing plant down the road trips a big motor off-line, or whatever.
 
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HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#3
Check with Your power supplier, and ask about a Whole House protector (goes underneath Your Power meter). Utility usually allows You to buy it in installments and pay same time and account as Your usual bill.

The "Whole House" units protect to a MUCH HIGHER incoming energy level than the plug in junk from China, Inc. My Whole house unit has a tell-tale, that shows power is on or off, and has a " Blown" Indication as well.
 
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HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#4
Cheap: go to Home Depot, Lowe's, or Ace Hardware, and buy TWO surge protectors. Then, go to Your Power panel, and figure out Two circuits that each use one of the incoming phases of power. Then, go to each circuit, somewhere in the House and plug in the Surge protector. DONE! You don't even have to plug anything into the surge protectors, as if they are each on different phases, each will protect every device in the house on that Phase.

NB: check the packaging for the "Joule" rating - more Joules=More protection. Look for units that have a Blown Indicator (only works if power stays on). If a surge Protector saves Your Bacon, but has no Blown Indicator, then you very likely are no longer protected!

For Others reading this: if You have old Surge Protectors, Buy New Ones! They are cheap, and the old ones may not protect at newer, higher limits.
 
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HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#6
Edison Power distribution scheme provides Two Phases of Power to each consumer home. To protect everything, you need a Surge Protector Riding the "Hot" of each of the Phases. Connection is from Phase in, to ground. They use MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors), each possessed of a "Clamping Voltage" usually 2.x of Rated Input Voltage. Things normal, the MOV looks like an Open/near infinite Resistance. But when input voltage goes over "Clamping Voltage" , the MOV shorts to Ground.

If input pulse is within the capability for energy absorbtion, the MOV returns to nearly same High Value resistance. If incoming Jolt is Beyond the Energy Absorption of the MOV, it is exploded like a popcorn for small overages, or is Consumed in a Big Blue Flash if the Energy is Way beyond its capability. Breakers are tripped, and Magic Smoke is released! Magic Smoke tastes funny.
 

Sentinel one

Man is a bad animal...
#9
Or you can go old school and just unplug it.. the only time I have problems up here is lightning
hit power lines and phone lines.. I have smoked many a fancy schmancy phone/ answering machine
combo from electrical surges down the phone line.. most of my stuff is plugged into power bars, so I
just pull the plug. Not a lot of digital stuff except maybe the laptops and my alarm clock. I just unplug them.
Reprogramming is a small chore compared to replacing something.
 

john 1775

Freedom is given, liberty is what you take.
Brass Subscriber
#10
Well, if Ya wanna go ultimately squeeky Cheeep, yep, you could go to the dollar store and get the $6.99, Surge protector. Plug in Washing machine. Done.

Not that cheap. Lol. Just simple. I’ll talk to our electric co. They’re a PIA and only care about getting your money.

A few places i talked to, like lowes, said the protectors wouldn’t handle a washer
 

john 1775

Freedom is given, liberty is what you take.
Brass Subscriber
#12
If You search AZAMON for APC-11 Surge protector ($29.99), it is the best of the First Three pages of search results after searching Surge Protector. 2880 joules protection.


I emailed APC cause I have one of their protectors and they didn’t have any options. ABB03C49-8D82-4AB5-8651-C18A259AF848.jpeg
 

john 1775

Freedom is given, liberty is what you take.
Brass Subscriber
#13
You understand on the two legs thing John?
One side of the panel and the circuits on it are one leg.
The other side of the panel and those circuits are on a second leg.
One surge protector on one leg. One surge protector on the other leg.
Don’t ask how HL knows this. 🤣
Maybe a little. That’s something that needs wired in?
 

HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#14
Nope, just plug in the two suppressors, or Your Power Company will install the Whole House Suppressor underneath the meter.
 

HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#15
Your Washer Industrial Size? Most Consumer washers need/use 15 AMPS 120VAC or less. Common Surge Protectors are designed around those specs, IIRC.
 

HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#19
Leviton 7380-W replacement for Your Duplex Outlet will do the job, if Ya need 20 amps. Has indicator light, too! You will have to wire it in place of the outlet You have now.
 

Donfini2

Slayer of hops and barley, lifelong hill William
#20
You understand on the two legs thing John?
One side of the panel and the circuits on it are one leg.
The other side of the panel and those circuits are on a second leg.
One surge protector on one leg. One surge protector on the other leg.
Don’t ask how HL knows this. 🤣
It’s actually every other breaker is the same phase on both sides of the panel.
If you look at your double pole breakers they are two breakers that one sits on top of the other one.(dryer,range, ect. )