Re: Surge / Ground / Lightning

In article <ercv14losi2mbapd8k5bmirr77vffj6mkn@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
spamfree@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 writes

>I was going to ask whether this would help protect delicate components
>in any way,

Yes, as the surge protector is working to some extent, but it would work
far more effectively if it were plugged into a grounded outlet.

There's also the problem that using a surge protector in an ungrounded
outlet will cause the earth on the protector to rise in potential while
the protector is conducting a surge.  Depending on the equipment plugged
into that strip, this has the potential to cause damage, as well as an
electrical shock to anyone touching a metal-cased appliance with a 3-pin
lead plugged into the strip.

Thus surge protectors should only be plugged into grounded outlets.
There will usually be a warning on the protector itself or in the user
instructions stating this.

> but of course, the neutral is earthed nearby anyways, and
>the third earth wire is just a backstop?

No.  The earth pin, although bonded to neutral at the consumer unit
(=breaker box in US) should be regarded as a separate, third connection
from then on.  The neutral is there to carry return current; the earth
is there for safety.

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