We live in a very remote area where have numerous power outages/surges so have an automatic LP gas generator. We're building a new home & just about to purchase new kitchen appliances (refridg., dishwasher & dual fuel range) & see from your site a lot of appliance breakdowns are apparently caused by power surges. Is there a way we can protect these new appliances from the power surges, I would think preferably in our utility room at the generator circuit panel or at each appliance, as we do our TV & computer?
Also read your appliance brand comment "The Brands i recommend are the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Kenmore made by Whirlpool, Jenn-Air, Also i have noticed the LG appliance line they sell at Best Buy have been very reliable as well." We've had good experience w/Kenmore Elite ranges, dishwashers & refridg's so were planning on sticking with same (your comments appreciated) but also read a consumer reports reco. for the LG French Door LRFD25850 refridg. as being quieter (one of our appliance goals..again your comments appreciated) & our closest distributor for this LG refridg. is a Home Depot. I've heard warnings that appliance products thru the Home Depots or Lowes chains can be inferior quality within the same brand name - is this true or as long as you are getting that specific model #, is it safe to buy from a Hm Depot/Lowes? Appreciate your help!

Yes, a surge protector is fine to use on anything electronic including appliances.

The LG, Kenmore 106, Whirlpool, KitchenAid models are quieter than most others.

As for Appliances being inferior at Home Depot or Lowe's is a bad rumor, I have no idea who started it, but its not true.

I purchased my Admiral Dyer from Home Depot in Oct. 2004, and its been running perfect ever since.

Jake

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I'd add a word of caution due to your particular circumstances.

The mains electricity in your home is sinusoidal in nature. Basically, what this means is that it is delivered in a nice, smooth waveform at 60 Hertz (or cycles/second for the benefit of the old guys like me!). Many generators produce DC (direct current, like batteries) and then "invert" this into a "pseudo" AC (alternating current, like from your outlets).

In most instances, this is not an issue. However, the electronic speed controls in the front-loading washers are generally dependent on a "genuine" AC - Frigidaire used to advise that their front-loaders should not be used on anything other than "regular" mains.

I'd advise checking with a licensed electrician as to what your generator actually produces, or consult the generator manufacturer for guidance.

I am glad you put that there....then I under stood as well!

Great posting MM!!

jeff.

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Thank you gentlemen for your postings!

Regarding surge protecting appliances, do you have any experience with &/or opinions for using better quality power strip surge protectors (as we all now use with computers) vs. surge protectors that are hardwired in to a main circuit breaker panel (ie: Ditek)?

Also, I've only seen 120 volt power strip surge protectors - how can I protect a 240 volt dual fuel Sears Kenmore Elite range (since that is where I read a posting on your site had damage caused by a power surge)?

Appreciate your advices.

Thank you gentlemen for your postings!

Do you have any experience or opinions for using better quality power strip power surge protectors (as we all use on our computers) vs. power surge products which are hardwired directly into the circuit breaker panel (ie Ditek) & if so, any prefered brand/products for either? Ditek's products run from $27.88 to $999..

Also, with wanting to protect a Sears Kenmore Elite Dual Fuel range (having read threads on this site pointing out repairs were necessary due to power surges), how would you best recommend protecting this 240 volt 4 prong plug appliance, since I've only seen power surge strips designed for 120 volt equipment?

I believe this subject came up on here a while back - if I remember correctly, we couldn't find a 240 volt surge suppressor. Best suggestion I can offer is to talk to an electrical wholesaler/distributor, or a licensed electrician. It's a fair point, as there are more electronically controlled appliances coming on the market with every passing day.

Not sure if i'm being a little blind here, but are there any decent power surge protectors that can be used for house wide protection rather than ones that are used for individual appliances, such as a product that can be affixed to the main power line that enters the home and provides power to the whole home?

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There probably is - that's one best left to the electricians. It's a fair point though, given the amount of expensive electronics we have in our homes these days.

An electrician can wire a full house surge protector in. Not cheap, but it works.