Surge suppressor may not save your computer
Q. My home was built in 1958, in the days when electric outlets were ungrounded. When I purchased the property last year, my home inspector mentioned this could pose a problem for my computer, but I've always used a surge protector to make up for the lack of a ground. I didn't worry about grounding because I thought my system was protected. That turned out to be a costly mistake. Last week a spike in the power supply "cooked" my computer, in spite of the surge protector. Could you please explain why the surge protector did not save my system?
A. Computer users often assume surge suppressors provide unconditional protection from electrical mishaps. What every cyber user should know is that suppressors are not magical devices. They cannot make an electrical power surge disappear. The best they can do is to send the power to a safe place.
When a sudden flow of high voltage electricity enters the wiring in your home, it must be diverted to a place where it cannot cause fire or damage. The purpose of the surge suppressor is to channel the power away from your computer. This is accomplished by sending the excess current into the earth by way of a ground wire. If no ground wire is present, the surge suppressor is useless.
Homes built prior to 1963 were typically wired without grounded outlets. Anyone using a computer in a home of this age would be well advised to consult an electrical contractor.
However, grounding deficiencies can be found in homes of any age. All it takes is a small wiring error at the time of construction. Therefore, verification of grounding for all outlets serving computers is a wise precaution.
Q. Now that I'm selling my house, the buyer's home inspector noticed an unused gas valve in the laundry room. My clothes dryer is all electric, so I've never needed to use the gas connection. The inspector says the gas valve is unsafe and should be capped. This seems to me like a lot of needless bother. The valve has been just as it is for the past ten years without any problems. Do you see any reason to install a cap?
A. Unused gas valves are common in laundry rooms where electric clothes dryers are installed. In such cases, most people don't even realize they have a latent hazard. This doesn't mean that such an accident will definitely occur, but it could.
Imagine what would happen if an object were to bump against the valve handle. Just a slight turn could start a gas leak in your home with potentially disastrous consequences.
People with electric clothes dryers should check behind their machines for unprotected gas valves. Capping an open valve is a simple and inexpensive way to eliminate an avoidable household hazard. To be sure the job is done properly, delegate the work to a licensed plumber.
• To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com, or write AMG, 1776 Jami Lee Court, Suite 218, San Luis Obispo, CA 94301.
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