Re: [tlug] Uninterrupted power supply unit recommendations

[Joe Larabell <fred62@example.com>]

On Wed, 1 Sep 2010, Kalin KOZHUHAROV wrote:

> ... Get a long 3 prong
> extension cord that comes with a 2 prong male + green wire, add the
> surge protector and plug all your machines there.

For typical voltage surges and dropouts, it might not make any difference 
but a "crazy longish" ground, especially of the guage typically found in 
an extension cord, may not provide much protection from more catastrophic 
events such as lightning strikes. Why not put the surge protector *at* the 
grounded outlet and run a reasonably heavy 2-wire extension cord from 
there to your machines. A 2-wire extension cord will cost less and the 
surge protector will be that much closer to a "real" ground.

Now... that said... who knows how long the ground wire is from that outlet 
to the actual ground or what guage it uses. Where exactly are your 
machines? If they're on the 1st floor, can't you just buy a copper ground 
rod, pound it into the ground, and run a heavy guage bare wire to one of 
those 3-prong adapters that provides you with a ground terminal? You only 
need to find a good ground. There's nothing that says it *has* to be the 
same ground that your washer or air conditioner uses.

---
Joseph L (Joe) Larabell            Never fight with a dragon
http://larabell.org/                    for thou art crunchy
http://thelemicleague.org/        and goest well with cheese.