NIST RECOMMENDED PRACTICE GUIDE "SURGES HAPPEN!" EXPLAINS PROTECTION OF CONSUMER APPLIANCES.As part of the new series of "NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology, Washington, DC, www.nist.gov) The standards-defining agency of the U.S. government, formerly the National Bureau of Standards. It is one of three agencies that fall under the Technology Administration (www.technology. Recommended Practices Guides," a 20-page booklet has been developed for the general public on how to protect residential appliances and consumer electronics against power surges An oversupply of voltage from the power company that can last up to 50 microseconds. Although surges are very short in duration, they often reach 6,000 volts and 3,000 amps when they arrive at the equipment. Power surges are a common cause of damage to computers and electronic equipment. . The booklet, NIST Special Publication 960-6, is entitled "Surges Happen!" Surges are momentary events in which the electrical power exceeds the normal levels, often with devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. results. They occur in electric power distribution networks during normal operation and during electrical storms electrical storm Cardiology A cardiac event defined as multiple recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation, or hemodynamically destabilizing ventricular tachycardia, with a very poor prognosis; ES is most common in older men with CAD, often in a background of . These menacing surges can end up in residential wiring systems where they can damage expensive electronics like computers, television sets, and VCRs, but even worse, they may cause house fires. Written in easy-to-understand language, "Surges Happen!" explains what surges are, how they affect appliances, and how to obtain the most effective protection with readily available surge protectors A device that provides protection against power surges. See surge suppression. See also traffic surge protection. . This layman's booklet also discusses sensitive equipment, provides answers to common questions, and gives some installation hints for both the home owners and electricians. Surges Happen!" does not rate products in terms of their susceptibility to power surges but instead explains the whys and hows of surges. There has been considerable interest in this guide, which is co-sponsored by an insurance company and the electric power industry. After incorporating comments from many industry experts, "Surges Happen!" is now being distributed to relevant professional groups, such as the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, www.ieee.org) A membership organization that includes engineers, scientists and students in electronics and allied fields. Surge Protective Devices Committee, and to the general public. It is available at www.nist.gov/publicaffairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf. |
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