220 V surge suppressor [20 amp]

[Mark Jundanian]

so I can shut down all tool power outlets

You might want one of the outlets to stay on for battery chargers.

 

[Webb Willmott]

You might want one of the outlets to stay on for battery chargers.

The incoming distribution box will have live plugs for things like a fridge, lights, bench plugs, chargers, etc. The switched box will be for power tools like saws and a lathe in case a munchkin was curious.

Pop switched off circuit breakers, I’m following his example but will have an external throw switch.

Good point on the chargers as I need to think about where I want my charging station.

 

[John Whitley]

Since the last time this thread came up, I ended up going with this 220v plug in surge protector. It’s been working just fine with my Harvey T-60S; certainly no problems with the lathe’s operation while plugged into this unit. Definitely a lot more convenient than unplugging things all the time. I’ll note that this suppressor has a considerable delay (indicated by an LED on its face) between when it’s first plugged in and when it will deliver power to an attached device. Very much a “no, it’s not broken, just keep waiting” kind of thing.

That said, I’m in the PNW now and we get very little in the way of lightning ground strikes here (esp. compared to where I grew up, which often got dubbed “lightning capital of the world”). If I still lived in an area where ground strikes were as common as rain, I might take a different approach, probably belt and suspenders: use a surge suppressor AND disconnect equipment.

 

[John K Jordan]

...is the controller on a lathe sensitive enough to warrant local use surge protection due to internal surges or is it overkill?

VFDs can fail from power surges, internal component failure, or a misalignment of the planets. I do use a surge protector on my 220v lathe but unplug when leaving the property or if there is a storm in the area.

I currently use this one (don't know if there's a better one.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R3GK6DM

The whole house protectors are good but they won't help with surges that don't come through the breaker box.

I don't use surge protection on 220v equipment without VFDs (bandsaw, etc).

For sensitive 110V things like computers, NAS, cable modem, router, etc, I use uninterruptible power supplies which help suppress surges as well as help if the power goes out, of course. But with lighting storms approaching the area I turn everything off, unplug the power, unscrew the cable from the TVs and modem, and even unplug the ethernet line that runs 250' underground to my shop. Call me paranoid, but I don't want to replace another motherboard. We live on top a ridge and I haven't installed lightening rods (yet) like some I know, but we are surrounded by tall sacrificial trees. Never had lightening hit the house.

As for surge protectors, I don't use the cheap ones protected by nothing more than a varistor. My tech son who has more sensitive equipment than any five of us together, uses only these - I have a 1/2 dozen or so in the house and shop. Come with insurance. (But again;, I still unplug for storms.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000513US

JKJ

 

[Brian Gustin]

As Bill Blasic said, unplugging works for him which makes me think about how I’m going to wire my new shop. I’m planning to put 2 distribution boxes in with a 3 pole disconnect switch in between the boxes so I can shut down all tool power outlets for safety reasons and after reading this thread, also for equipment protection. Like others, my home suffered from a local lightning strike and it took out multiple items so a disconnect in the new shop is a bonus I hadn’t even thought about until I read this thread.

Even with a disconnect you'll still have ground path to deal with, so nothing short of unplugging offers full protection (and still won't offer 100% protection against a close-by lightning strike as it can travel right through the ground and jump from lathe frame to other objects) But surges from lightning can travel through your grounding rod and back through your electrical so if you're plugged in and still disconnected you can still get hit via grounding. I have no trouble with simply unplugging lathe when not in use, no need for disconnects. (at least not for that specific purpose)

 

[Darryl Fective]

I have a 220V Powermatic 3530C. Of course it has variable speed. My understanding is that you cannot use a surge protector with this type of lathe. Since I am not an electrician or engineer, I'm not sure why but it has something to do with the variable speed control not operating when connected to a surge protector. This information came directly from Powermatic support (a JPW company). I don't know if using a whole house protector would ba OK for this type of lathe. Now, if you have an older style lathe that doesn't have a variable speed control, then there may be 220V surge protectors that would work.

Powermatic support didn't seem to know anything at all about electricity. (the phrase "useless as tits on a bull" comes to mind) They blamed everything other than their crap motor in my 4224.

 

[Darryl Fective]

For what it's worth, our TV, stereo, and modem were all plugged into a surge protector power strip. It was one I bought back when I used a desktop computer. It wasn't cheap, but it wasn't all that expensive either, but it sure didn't do its job at all.

 

[Webb Willmott]

Even with a disconnect you'll still have ground path to deal with, so nothing short of unplugging offers full protection (and still won't offer 100% protection against a close-by lightning strike as it can travel right through the ground and jump from lathe frame to other objects) But surges from lightning can travel through your grounding rod and back through your electrical so if you're plugged in and still disconnected you can still get hit via grounding. I have no trouble with simply unplugging lathe when not in use, no need for disconnects. (at least not for that specific purpose)

How is there a path to ground if the throw disconnect switch is 220 and 3 pole with 2 hots and a ground?

For now till I get my new shop, unplugging is the best route.

 

[Wally Crawford]

I’m a believer in these and have installed them on our last two homes, very easy. But if you get a direct hit all bets are off, lighting is powerful stuff!

True enough, but if you get a direct hit to a structure, you have a lot ore than a control board to contend with.