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Surge protector-vs-GFCI,,????

montanajoe
  • Community moderator
Two separate functions,,,so,,

It's o.k. to plug a battery back up/surge protector into a GFCI protected outlet????
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • remingtonoaks
    Yes, surge protector only protects your equipment against a surge of electricity. A ground fault Outlet protects against being shocked... Putting them both together would not only protect you, but protect your equipment
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  • Mobuck
    Surge suppressor protects your stuff
    GFCI protects you
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  • HandLoad
    Surge protectors have limits. Different ones may have differing amounts of energy they can protect against.

    Most Homes Have "Edison Design" (ie: Two (of the Three) Phases at Your Breaker Panel. If You have Two Surge Protectors plugged in such that One is on Phase "A", and the other is plugged into Phase "B" in Your Home, protection is available to everything in The Home.

    BUT: A whole House Surge Protector, Usually Sandwiched between the Power Box and the Meter, or found inside or next to the Breaker Panel, is a Much More capable and protective device.

    Many Power Companies will spread the bill over several months for the Quick Installation of a Whole House unit, usually between $200-$400.

    If You install a Whole House unit, You need no other surge protectors.
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  • Okie743
    quote:Originally posted by HandLoad
    Surge protectors have limits. Different ones may have differing amounts of energy they can protect against.

    Most Homes Have "Edison Design" (ie: Two (of the Three) Phases at Your Breaker Panel. If You have Two Surge Protectors plugged in such that One is on Phase "A", and the other is plugged into Phase "B" in Your Home, protection is available to everything in The Home.

    BUT: A whole House Surge Protector, Usually Sandwiched between the Power Box and the Meter, or found inside or next to the Breaker Panel, is a Much More capable and protective device.

    Many Power Companies will spread the bill over several months for the Quick Installation of a Whole House unit, usually between $200-$400.

    If You install a Whole House unit, You need no other surge protectors.


    But if you have costly electronic items, such as computer, TV, etc, additional downstream surge protection from the whole house protection can be a plus. (I use both with good results)
    UPS on a computer can also be a good thing, additional surge protection plus battery backup for controlled shutdown instead of a crash and burn possibility.
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