FMQ Circuit protection

[in_cognito]

Hi All,

What are the thoughts on using some sort of inline surge protection equipment to protect the FMQ2-36 or other VRA from having its circuit board fried by a power surge?

Maybe something like this one?

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...=documentation

That may save me from the costly repairs on a fmq circuit board.

[CNGfamily]

Re: FMQ Circuit protection

Hi All,

What are the thoughts on using some sort of inline surge protection equipment to protect the FMQ2-36 or other VRA from having its circuit board fried by a power surge?
...

Might be a good idea... I'll defer to others such as CNGAZ, but I can tell you that a nearby lightning strike happened at my previous place in Chandler... the strike took out a fair amount of electronics in the house (including network cards in a couple PCs and a TV).
The damage to the FMQ2-36 was limited to my remote panel (I'm not sure one way or the other, but I suspect that circuit protection may have helped). I didn't choose to replace the remote panel or electronics in the panel; instead I had the pleasure of going into the backyard to the VRA itself to start fill cycles for the last couple years at that home.

[siai47]

Re: FMQ Circuit protection

Depending on what kind of circuit breakers you have you might be able to replace the one that feeds your fuelmaker with a surge protected breaker. I have seen them from time to time. Seeing how the unit is 240 volts, a standard surge protector won't cut it. I generally turn off the power to the fuelmaker when I am not using it or when storms are cruising around.

[TheBundo]

Re: FMQ Circuit protection

I've seen ground fault breakers (GFI) but never a surge protector one.

[Andy-Paul]

Re: FMQ Circuit protection

If your local building code allows it, why don't you just put an appropriately sized fusebox in front of the VRA, then keep a couple of spare fuses handy? That's how I protect the electronics on the kiln in my garage. It also has a switch on the outside of the box for the fire department and for such times as I need to do any maintenance.

Andy-Paul