No Earth Ground + APC SURGEARREST 5 ESSENTIAL

[BillP]

Hi,

I have a big problem I have bought a "APC SURGEARREST 5 ESSENTIAL" :
http://www.dustinhome.se/DacsaPortal/?ProdID=5010080523

But I have no earth ground in my house, what happends if I plug it in and add the computer and the monitor to it?
I just want it as an cable extender to reach the computer and the monitor cable. But is this dangerous for my coomputer/monitor ? can they be destroyed ?

Please I need help now!

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

Our surge protectors operate primarily on shunting the excess surge to the ground wire. If you are plugging the surge protector into a non-grounded outlet, it will not operate as a surge protecting device. It will pass power through the outlets and work as a power strip, but it will NOT surge protect to its full capabilities. This will leave the equipment connected exposed to spikes, surges and overvoltages.

Thanks.

[Anonymous user]

Here is a link that speaks about the effects of not having a properly grounded unit:

http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=326&p_created=1010390400&p_...

[BillP]

Ok so it will work as an oridnary power strip instead?
I will satisfy with it if it is not dangerous to the computer/monitor.

The link that I recived from the "other guy" said it would appear to work correctly but not protect. So I guess it's not dangerous for the computer/Monitor.

//Ivey69

[Anonymous user]

I believe that both Sgt. Slaughter and the link I provided state that the equipment may not be protected without the proper ground and can potentially cause damage to the computer in the event of a significant surge/spike or in the event of a UPS or load failure. In terms of money, looking into getting the proper ground installed into your home might not be the cost effective solution but ultimately it will provide your equipment with the proper protection. You would have to weigh the cost of replacing equipment and data vs. the cost of getting the ground installed.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Grenade wrote:
I believe that both Sgt. Slaughter and the link I provided state that the equipment may not be protected without the proper ground and can potentially cause damage to the computer in the event of a significant surge/spike or in the event of a UPS or load failure. In terms of money, looking into getting the proper ground installed into your home might not be the cost effective solution but ultimately it will provide your equipment with the proper protection. You would have to weigh the cost of replacing equipment and data vs. the cost of getting the ground installed.

If he's concerned, he can use a series mode surge supressor.
These are some examples:
http://www.zerosurge.com/HTML/workres.html
http://www.surgex.com

These do not rely on ground. They use series reactors that exploits the inherent character of inductance, which limits the rise in current. The surge is blocked rather than passed down the bypass valve to the ground.