Surge protectors or fire hazard

From: Dwight K. Elvey <dwightk.elvey_at_amd.com>
Date: Thu Dec 19 18:38:00 2002

Hi
 I've just seen the third surge protector blow
up and this time, it almost started a real fire.
I've had two of these go up in smoke that were
in metal strips. These generally make a lot of
smoke but I think the metal spreads the heat enough
that the fire danger is small. Now, most of the
newer ones are made from plastic. The last one
that just burned, started a small fire on the back
side of a chest of drawers. Luckily, the chest
didn't stay lit. It did charcoalize one of the feet.
 While these things come with a 15 amp breaker,
the MOV's fail and draw something less then what
is required to blow the breaker.
 I wonder if any of the fire prevention groups are
looking into these time bombs?
Dwight
Received on Thu Dec 19 2002 - 18:38:00 GMT