Safe to use a surge protector/powerstrip for timer and ballasts and fan?

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ninjagaiden

Well-Known Member
Hey All,

I was told using a surge protector was a bad idea when running a timer with a ballast and fan connected. Any truth to this?

I plan to have the timer plugged into the wall, the power strip/surge protector plugged into that and then everything else plugged into the strip/protector. Is this a bad idea?

Thanks
 
nubiebud

nubiebud

Active Member
Not sure if its bad or not. But I do. I have a surge on on my light timer. And a surge on my ballast. Its been 9 weeks and everything is plugging along nicely.
 
angrygranola

angrygranola

Active Member
I was told that this was a bad idea too... today while at the hydro store... they sold me an extension cord for my light, they said that the ballast should go solo into a wall socket no powerstrips or extension cords from the ballast.. I have a hard time believing that my 400 watt setup will torch heavy duty construction grade cords rated at 1800 watts... but that's what they told me. now i'm not sure what's what.
 
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DinafemHazeAuto

Active Member
I have my light 600w quatum ballast hooked up to a extension cord and then plugged into my power strip where my TV, LAPTOP,FAN,Room Light for almost 10 weeks and no problems...I mean most of the ballast cords arent that long so alot of people r gonna have to use an extension cord so im not sure how they can be bad....
 
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Dirty Harry

Well-Known Member
Forget the watts, its the amps you want to worry about. The protector should state the max amps it can handle. Your ballasts should also state the amps it pulls. Also add any other item amps that connect to the protector. As long as the total is under the rated amps for the protector you should be good.
I would try to stay 10-20% below the max amps of the protector for safety.
Those cheap $5.00 power strips are only rated for about 15 amps max, usually don't have a built in fuse or breaker, and thus will get hot and melt if overloaded.
Also the outlet the surge protector connects to MUST be properly grounded (Test that is is, 3 holes don't mean squat) for the filtering protection. If not, your only getting the power strip use out of it and will have no surge protection what so ever.
 
angrygranola

angrygranola

Active Member
Dirty Harry said:
Forget the watts, its the amps you want to worry about. The protector should state the max amps it can handle. Your ballasts should also state the amps it pulls. Also add any other item amps that connect to the protector. As long as the total is under the rated amps for the protector you should be good.
I would try to stay 10-20% below the max amps of the protector for safety.
Those cheap $5.00 power strips are only rated for about 15 amps max, usually don't have a built in fuse or breaker, and thus will get hot and melt if overloaded.
Also the outlet the surge protector connects to MUST be properly grounded (Test that is is, 3 holes don't mean squat) for the filtering protection. If not, your only getting the power strip use out of it and will have no surge protection what so ever.
Click to expand...
cool! thanks for the info, however, how do i test to see if the outlet is, "grounded"? i've checked my balast pulls 3.5 amps, the powerstrip i have is rated at 15amps... so that's good to go.
 
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