Surge suppressors for large appliances?

[paynter2]

Is there a surge suppressor that will protect a refrigerator from power surges.

I live in a very remote area. Our power often surges. I have my computers protected with battery back-up surge protection. I don't care about the satellite TV boxes, I pay for protection there.

But, these surges are really hard on the refrigerators. My friends an I are replacing refrigerators every 3-4 years. Do they make heavy duty surge protectors for these larger units?

[Fixxer]

It depends on exactly what you are calling "surges".

A refrigerator motor should be able to handle reasonable, intermittent overvoltages, like those which would be handled by a MOV surge supressor.

What type of electrical service do you have? The reason I ask is your problem is more likely to be from too *low* mains voltage, specifically, underwired.

I am thinking that, assuming your main line in can deliver enough current, the resistance of your wiring is causing it to be unable to start correctly.

If you have one, connect a (preferably recording) DMM to the unused socket behind your fridge (the other one besides your refrigerator plug). Set your meter to record, and leave it sit for awhile. The meter will record the lowest and highest voltages seen at that outlet.

I would be willing to bet (not for any particular reason), that the voltage at the outlet falls to around 90-100 volts while it (fridge) is trying to start.

You can get a cheapo meter at Radio Shack which records for maybe $30-$50.

Good luck.

[paynter2]

It depends on exactly what you are calling "surges".

A refrigerator motor should be able to handle reasonable, intermittent overvoltages, like those which would be handled by a MOV surge supressor.

What type of electrical service do you have? The reason I ask is your problem is more likely to be from too *low* mains voltage, specifically, underwired.

I am thinking that, assuming your main line in can deliver enough current, the resistance of your wiring is causing it to be unable to start correctly.

If you have one, connect a (preferably recording) DMM to the unused socket behind your fridge (the other one besides your refrigerator plug). Set your meter to record, and leave it sit for awhile. The meter will record the lowest and highest voltages seen at that outlet.

I would be willing to bet (not for any particular reason), that the voltage at the outlet falls to around 90-100 volts while it (fridge) is trying to start.

You can get a cheapo meter at Radio Shack which records for maybe $30-$50.

Good luck.

Thanks Fixxer. I don't know if 'surge' is the proper term. I come home from the city and once a month my clocks are blinking. The power actually 'cuts out' rather than surges.

The battery backup/surge protector on my computer works great. If the power cuts out when I'm on-line, the computer doesn't blink. But, this must be hard on the refrigerators - as they need replacement so often.

I don't think it's my wiring - the house is 7 years old. My friend's is 6 years old. He just had to replace his refrigerator. I replace mine 3 years ago.

I'm thinking there must be some way to protect them. The power blinking off is really hard on them. But, since I'm gone three days a week, I worry about some type of protection that will protect the fridge also 're-set' so it comes back on again after an 'event'.

[garyo]

I have seen some pretty HD surge protectors used in offices for the big multi-purpose printers that scan, print, and fax. Check out an office supply for them, they may help.

[Blitzer]

Tripplite (http://www.tripplite.com/EN/index.cfm?CFID=454906&CFTOKEN=67477243) and APC (http://www.apc.com/index.cfm?ISOCountryCode=CA) are some who make the heavy duty devices you are asking about.