Need help with APC Performance SurgeArrest PMF83VT-GR

[Anonymous user]

Hi, I have this protection more than 4 years, everything works ok. On this APC I have connected my PC speakers, my PC and monitor. I have two question for you experts:

1. From the start I bought it Ground OK light doesn't light up when computer is turned on, light is only turned on when computer is turned off, I think it is because old house installation. I tried also on other electrical outlet in my house, same situation. Is that a big deal?

2. Yesterday I connected Hair dryer (1600W) to this APC and when hair dryer is turned on on max level 2, overload light activated on APC. Why is that? When I returned to level 1 light immediately disappeared. Is something wrong with my APC or this is normal behaviour?

[BillP]

Hi,

On 7/3/2020 12:36 PM, Josip said:

From the start I bought it Ground OK light doesn't light up when computer is turned on, light is only turned on when computer is turned off, I think it is because old house installation. I tried also on other electrical outlet in my house, same situation. Is that a big deal?

Ground OK Indicator - When the surge protector is plugged in and power is turned on, the Ground OK Indicator illuminates (green) to show that the power source outlet is properly grounded. If the Ground OK Indicator does not illuminate, there is a problem with the building wiring

On 7/3/2020 12:36 PM, Josip said:

Yesterday I connected Hair dryer (1600W) to this APC and when hair dryer is turned on on max level 2, overload light activated on APC. Why is that? When I returned to level 1 light immediately disappeared. Is something wrong with my APC or this is normal behaviour?

The hair dryer is overloading the unit. 

Overload indicator - If this indicator illuminates, disconnect devices until the indicator extinguishes.

If the overload become to great the circuit breaker will trip and the unit will power off.  

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for answer Bill. I still have some questions:

On 7/7/2020 1:02 PM, Bill said:

Ground OK Indicator - When the surge protector is plugged in and power is turned on, the Ground OK Indicator illuminates (green) to show that the power source outlet is properly grounded. If the Ground OK Indicator does not illuminate, there is a problem with the building wiring

So it is probably bad wiring in my house - old installations. With that in mind how much does my APC surgearrest provides protection in this case? Do I lose some protection with not having ground?

On 7/7/2020 1:02 PM, Bill said:

The hair dryer is overloading the unit. 

Overload indicator - If this indicator illuminates, disconnect devices until the indicator extinguishes.

If the overload become to great the circuit breaker will trip and the unit will power off.  

On my APC I have connected:

- Logitech PC speakers Z333 (40W)

- 27 inch 60hz monitor - probably around 50W

- My PC have PSU of 850W but components are much lower power, probably around 250W in full load but my PC was in idle when overload light activated with hair dryer.

In manual it is stated that APC surgearrest maximum is 2300W. So I am wondering why the light was activated when hair dryer was on because theoretically it is lower wattage (1600W hair dryer + speaker 40W + monitor 50W + PC in idle doing nothing - let say 120W = 1810W) than total max of 2300W?

When overload light is ON it won't damage APC it will just turn off, no permanent damage?

Thank in advance for answers Sorry for so many questions but I am curious.

[BillP]

HI,

On 7/8/2020 6:57 AM, Josip said:

So it is probably bad wiring in my house - old installations. With that in mind how much does my APC surgearrest provides protection in this case? Do I lose some protection with not having ground?

Yes. When a surge is detected the unit attempts to push it to ground. If the surge cannot be pushed to ground the MOV may fail.

The Metal Oxide Varistor or MOV is a voltage dependent, nonlinear device that provides excellent transient voltage suppression. The Metal Oxide Varistor is designed to protect various types of electronic devices and semiconductor elements from switching and induced lightning surges.

On 7/8/2020 6:57 AM, Josip said:

When overload light is ON it won't damage APC it will just turn off, no permanent damage?

It should not damage the unit however, If the overload is to great the circuit breaker will trip. If the circuit beaker trips too many time it may fail open and then the unit would need to be replaced. 

[Anonymous user]

On 7/9/2020 10:12 AM, Bill said:

Yes. When a surge is detected the unit attempts to push it to ground. If the surge cannot be pushed to ground the MOV may fail.

The Metal Oxide Varistor or MOV is a voltage dependent, nonlinear device that provides excellent transient voltage suppression. The Metal Oxide Varistor is designed to protect various types of electronic devices and semiconductor elements from switching and induced lightning surges.

One last question. If we asumme that protection with this APC model with Ground OK led ON is 100%, what would protection approximately in percentage be with Ground LED OFF like in my case?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

On 7/9/2020 6:18 PM, Josip said:

One last question. If we asumme that protection with this APC model with Ground OK led ON is 100%, what would protection approximately in percentage be with Ground LED OFF like in my case?

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