blackba
Well-known member
I only unplug things when there are thunderstorms, otherwise, I just turn off the furman power strips.
What most surge protecting power strips use are movs, which conduct over a certain voltage. To give the current a path to ground that is not through the device. The problem is that when the mov opens, you don’t know. The normal operation with no surge is open. You also have to look at the joule rating. For the company I work for we check out products to 6000V, but lightning strikes can be more than that, it’s just the limit of the ecat equipment.
What most surge protecting power strips use are movs, which conduct over a certain voltage. To give the current a path to ground that is not through the device. The problem is that when the mov opens, you don’t know. The normal operation with no surge is open. You also have to look at the joule rating. For the company I work for we check out products to 6000V, but lightning strikes can be more than that, it’s just the limit of the ecat equipment.
P
petee
Active member
I unplug, wrap the plug in electrical tape, dip it plasti-cote and hide it under my pillow.
thegame
Well-known member
I always unplug when finished, then fire up the iPad, go to RT OT section for some entertainment to completely unplug from reality
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Kordoba
Well-known member
I like to use power cables as fashion accessories (belts, headbands, necklaces, etc.) so I not only unplug but remove the power cable from the amp entirely.
JF Scarfi
Well-known member
I unplug…
Mailman1971
Moderator
I power it down. Then off.
glpg80
Well-known member
Crunchtime
Active member
I always unplug in case of power surges.
J
JLR
Active member
I unplug all amps with the exception of any Line 6 products.
J
John 14:6
Well-known member
I unplug.
TheGreatGreen
Well-known member
I unplug stuff when the weather could cause lightning or brownouts.
Luca79
Active member
I think i have a device called surge protector; got installed when redone all the electrical system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector
If don't work, my insurance already covered lighting damage in the past.
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Krull
Well-known member
Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the power switch on an amp effectively isolate the wall outlet from the actual amp circuit 
Why unplug?
Why unplug?
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ewill52
Well-known member
an arc of electricity shooting miles through the sky at 300 MILLION volts\30,000 amps being stopped by a fuse or a cap is the ultimate in snake oil. Don't get me wrong - those tools are super useful in managing the day-to-day small surges and protecting gear, but they'll do nothing for a near\direct strike.
RedB4Black
Well-known member
Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the power switch on an amp effectively isolate the wall outlet from the actual amp circuit
I would think a strong enough surge could arc over any separation provided by the power swtich.
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Krull
Well-known member
That is possible. Curious if this has ever happened. I think they say a surge is anything over 169 volts, but I'm sure the switch is rated substantially more than that. If you are getting 1000's of volt surges it could be a problem.
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Krull
Well-known member
So your house panel's fuses won't stop that either? The wires would melt and your house would be on fire.
I think lightning strike power surges are very rare.
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ewill52
Well-known member
that's exactly what will happen. a direct strike from lightning can and has started many a house fire and will obliterate lots o' crap past the fuse panel.
I think you're probably right about the rarity. Closest we've come is a transformer (not optimus prime) near the house and a few big oaks within a few hundred yards of the house. So far no ill effect. I think that's where the surge protection stuff really shines.
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Krull
Well-known member
Yeah at that point unplugging your amp won't matter. Anything is possible and that's why the insurance industry thrives I guess. I'll continue living on the edge and keep my amp plugged in
