Surge protector light


  #1  
Old 10-19-19, 05:08 PM
J
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Surge protector light

I had a surge protector plugged it. On same circuit a lamp bulb blew. Suddenly the surge protector light didn't work any more in that outlet. But you can still plug things into the surge protector and they work, just no light.

Now what's weird. First it's an older home, just 2 wire no ground. The same surge protector plugged into another outlet, different circuit, light works. I changed the outlet just in case. I checked voltage with meter, held it there for almost a minute, showed 121.4 to 121.7 volts.

Tried 2 other surge protectors, both fine. Only this particular one the light no longer works in that circuit but as said if plugged into another plug and circuit light works. Please any ideas, very weird problem.
 
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Old 10-19-19, 07:52 PM
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Welcome to the forums.

A surge suppressor relies on ground to operate properly. When the light is not on it's letting you know there is a problem. Your light was on because it may have been picking up a ground thru an alternate source like a cable line.

Surge suppressors should NOT be used on two wire circuits.
 
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  #3  
Old 10-19-19, 08:00 PM
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What is that light for but it sounds like the surge protector is at EOL (End Of Life) and not able to provide surge protection anymore.
 
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Old 10-20-19, 06:08 AM
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Most surge devices use mov devices. These are wired in parallel to the threat voltage. If the surge event is within the capability of the collection of mov’s, then that event is dissipated as heat, the line voltage is clamped to a reasonable level, and all is well.
Things get more interesting when that level is greater than the system capability to handle. If the mov’s are not thermally or fuse protected, they will be damaged by heat and could catch fire. There are some simple ways to detect this damage, and result in a red light, or at least the dimming of a green light.
Further, there are two different modes of surge: differential and common mode. DM protection does not require a ground connection. CM is a high voltage relative ground, and requires a ground connection to shunt this current.
 
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Old 10-20-19, 09:28 AM
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> What is that light for

The label by light says surge.
 
 

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