Cheater plug on a surge suppresser

[trochetier]

Due to recently developed grounding hum I had to put the surge supresser on a cheater plug, until I get the guys back in to fix their error. Am I losing the surge suppression effect by doing so?

 

[TLS Guy]

Due to recently developed grounding hum I had to put the surge supresser on a cheater plug, until I get the guys back in to fix their error. Am I losing the surge suppression effect by doing so?

it might well, depending on how the surge suppressor is configured. It likely sends the surge to ground which it now can't. what you are doing is very dangerous. You need to find your ground loop and eliminate it.

 

[Chesapeake HT]

Due to recently developed grounding hum I had to put the surge supresser on a cheater plug, until I get the guys back in to fix their error. Am I losing the surge suppression effect by doing so?

Remove cheater plug, throw it out, and wait for the guys to come back in silence.

 

[trochetier]

Thanks. I forgot there is a surge supressor on the house main panel. I guess it is reasonably safe to continue until the electrician comes back. Perhaps I can plug in the cheater into a second surge suppressor that plugs into the wall - belts and suspender!

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks. I forgot there is a surge supressor on the house main panel. I guess it is reasonably safe to continue until the electrician comes back. Perhaps I can plug in the cheater into a second surge suppressor that plugs into the wall - belts and suspender!

Cheater plugs are not safe period. If you have a surge suppressor at the panel, then you should not be doubling up.

I doubt the electrician will solve your problem. Almost certainly you have a grounding error in your system connections. These sorts of problems are caused by potentials (voltages) between grounds, in your system. Cable systems, Ethernet cables for instance are common offenders. So we need to help you isolate and eliminate your ground loop. A cheater plug is NOT a safe or acceptable solution.

 

[Kingnoob]

Cheater plugs are not safe period. If you have a surge suppressor at the panel, then you should not be doubling up.

I doubt the electrician will solve your problem. Almost certainly you have a grounding error in your system connections. These sorts of problems are caused by potentials (voltages) between grounds, in your system. Cable systems, Ethernet cables for instance are common offenders. So we need to help you isolate and eliminate your ground loop. A cheater plug is NOT a safe or acceptable solution.

Yeah I don’t use cheater plugs period not because I didn’t know they were dangerous but just because it defeats the purpose of a surge protection.

 

[trochetier]

Cheater plugs are not safe period. If you have a surge suppressor at the panel, then you should not be doubling up.

I doubt the electrician will solve your problem. Almost certainly you have a grounding error in your system connections. These sorts of problems are caused by potentials (voltages) between grounds, in your system. Cable systems, Ethernet cables for instance are common offenders. So we need to help you isolate and eliminate your ground loop. A cheater plug is NOT a safe or acceptable solution.

I had isolated the grounding problem already before posting - it's the coax coming from the rooftop antenna. The antenna was rewired just before the problem started. Squirrel/s had gnawed through the coax insulation exposing the shielding. I have also isolated the most likely mistake. The guys have to finish a large commercial wiring job before they can come back. They did the antenna as a favor and it is their first time at it. Thus the cheater plug is a temporary solution.