Elecraft

KPA500 external mains switch

Classic

List

Threaded

6 messages Options

Macy monkeys

KPA500 external mains switch

Is anyone in the US using a separate 220v external mains switch on their KPA500? I'm wondering where these are available. Or is anyone using a 220 v surge protector? Are these available for the NEMA 6-15 plug?

John K7FD
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: KPA500 external mains switch

I have a whole house surge protector installed at the Mains breaker
panel. Thus I find no need to have individual surge protection for any
of the equipment locations in the QTH. This takes care of microwave,
range, furnace, washer, radios, TV's, entertainment systems, phone
system and such.

Not sure I like or agree with the idea of a separate mains switch. If
for remote purposes, remember when turning off the amp via the front
power switch, one must allow the voltage to bleed down before shutting
off the main power switch on the rear. {Per the manual} This would
seem to be true with an external switch.

I've assisted many hams with issue resolution only to find out they have
and use a "big switch" or otherwise to shut down the station. This IS
NOT a good idea as many/most microprocessor circuits have provision to
save data before shutting down equipment. Thus if one uses a "big
switch" it kills the DC source thus the processor does not have the
opportunity to save the data status. As to what's left.......,
sometimes scrambled data, and that's where the issues arise.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 1/18/2019 10:11 AM, Macy monkeys wrote:

> Is anyone in the US using a separate 220v external mains switch on their KPA500? I'm wondering where these are available. Or is anyone using a 220 v surge protector? Are these available for the NEMA 6-15 plug?
>
> John K7FD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: KPA500 external mains switch

On 1/18/2019 8:30 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
> Thus I find no need to have individual surge protection for any of the
> equipment locations in the QTH. This takes care of microwave, range,
> furnace, washer, radios, TV's, entertainment systems, phone system and
> such.

IEEE studies have shown that lightning can induce up to 3kV on the
branch circuits that make up house wiring. That's a powerful reason for
suppressorson branch circuitsto protect equipment!

73, Jim K9YC

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bill K9YEQ

Re: KPA500 external mains switch

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Bob, totally agree and this is exactly what I have. Main breaker box, whole house protection. Lightning is, of course, a whole different conversation when it comes to direct hits. Line spikes can wear out motors, take out weak power supplies, etc., which the suppressor will protect.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

https://wrj-tech.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Bob McGraw K4TAX
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2019 10:30 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 external mains switch

I have a whole house surge protector installed at the Mains breaker panel. Thus I find no need to have individual surge protection for any of the equipment locations in the QTH. This takes care of microwave, range, furnace, washer, radios, TV's, entertainment systems, phone system and such.

Not sure I like or agree with the idea of a separate mains switch. If for remote purposes, remember when turning off the amp via the front power switch, one must allow the voltage to bleed down before shutting off the main power switch on the rear. {Per the manual} This would seem to be true with an external switch.

I've assisted many hams with issue resolution only to find out they have and use a "big switch" or otherwise to shut down the station. This IS NOT a good idea as many/most microprocessor circuits have provision to save data before shutting down equipment. Thus if one uses a "big switch" it kills the DC source thus the processor does not have the opportunity to save the data status. As to what's left......., sometimes scrambled data, and that's where the issues arise.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 1/18/2019 10:11 AM, Macy monkeys wrote:

> Is anyone in the US using a separate 220v external mains switch on their KPA500? I'm wondering where these are available. Or is anyone using a 220 v surge protector? Are these available for the NEMA 6-15 plug?
>
> John K7FD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email]
>

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: KPA500 external mains switch

Bill:

That is my general objective. Having surge protector strips all over
the house has not proven worthwhile. On the other hand, the
installation of whole house surge protection has proven to be much more
successful. This also takes care of switching transits cause by load
balancing by the power company.

As to protection for lightning, that's a totally different approach and
methodology. Lightning rods installed on the house, all ground rods
bonded together, copper plumbing to ground system, all services {phone,
cable, TV antenna, satellite dish and etc} connected to the bonded
ground system.

Still if there is a direct strike, as we have received, get ready to
repair and replace some stuff. Hopefully, the house is still standing.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 1/18/2019 3:43 PM, Bill Johnson wrote:

> Bob, totally agree and this is exactly what I have. Main breaker box, whole house protection. Lightning is, of course, a whole different conversation when it comes to direct hits. Line spikes can wear out motors, take out weak power supplies, etc., which the suppressor will protect.
>
> 73,
> Bill
> K9YEQ
>
> https://wrj-tech.com/
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Bob McGraw K4TAX
> Sent: Friday, January 18, 2019 10:30 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 external mains switch
>
> I have a whole house surge protector installed at the Mains breaker panel. Thus I find no need to have individual surge protection for any of the equipment locations in the QTH. This takes care of microwave, range, furnace, washer, radios, TV's, entertainment systems, phone system and such.
>
> Not sure I like or agree with the idea of a separate mains switch. If for remote purposes, remember when turning off the amp via the front power switch, one must allow the voltage to bleed down before shutting off the main power switch on the rear. {Per the manual} This would seem to be true with an external switch.
>
> I've assisted many hams with issue resolution only to find out they have and use a "big switch" or otherwise to shut down the station. This IS NOT a good idea as many/most microprocessor circuits have provision to save data before shutting down equipment. Thus if one uses a "big switch" it kills the DC source thus the processor does not have the opportunity to save the data status. As to what's left......., sometimes scrambled data, and that's where the issues arise.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 1/18/2019 10:11 AM, Macy monkeys wrote:
>> Is anyone in the US using a separate 220v external mains switch on their KPA500? I'm wondering where these are available. Or is anyone using a 220 v surge protector? Are these available for the NEMA 6-15 plug?
>>
>> John K7FD
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
>> [hidden email]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bill K9YEQ

Re: KPA500 external mains switch

Exactly!

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

https://wrj-tech.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2019 4:21 PM
To: Bill Johnson <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 external mains switch

Bill:

That is my general objective. Having surge protector strips all over the house has not proven worthwhile. On the other hand, the installation of whole house surge protection has proven to be much more successful. This also takes care of switching transits cause by load balancing by the power company.

As to protection for lightning, that's a totally different approach and methodology. Lightning rods installed on the house, all ground rods bonded together, copper plumbing to ground system, all services {phone, cable, TV antenna, satellite dish and etc} connected to the bonded ground system.

Still if there is a direct strike, as we have received, get ready to repair and replace some stuff. Hopefully, the house is still standing.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 1/18/2019 3:43 PM, Bill Johnson wrote:

> Bob, totally agree and this is exactly what I have. Main breaker box, whole house protection. Lightning is, of course, a whole different conversation when it comes to direct hits. Line spikes can wear out motors, take out weak power supplies, etc., which the suppressor will protect.
>
> 73,
> Bill
> K9YEQ
>
> https://wrj-tech.com/
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Bob McGraw K4TAX
> Sent: Friday, January 18, 2019 10:30 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 external mains switch
>
> I have a whole house surge protector installed at the Mains breaker panel. Thus I find no need to have individual surge protection for any of the equipment locations in the QTH. This takes care of microwave, range, furnace, washer, radios, TV's, entertainment systems, phone system and such.
>
> Not sure I like or agree with the idea of a separate mains switch. If for remote purposes, remember when turning off the amp via the front power switch, one must allow the voltage to bleed down before shutting off the main power switch on the rear. {Per the manual} This would seem to be true with an external switch.
>
> I've assisted many hams with issue resolution only to find out they have and use a "big switch" or otherwise to shut down the station. This IS NOT a good idea as many/most microprocessor circuits have provision to save data before shutting down equipment. Thus if one uses a "big switch" it kills the DC source thus the processor does not have the opportunity to save the data status. As to what's left......., sometimes scrambled data, and that's where the issues arise.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 1/18/2019 10:11 AM, Macy monkeys wrote:
>> Is anyone in the US using a separate 220v external mains switch on their KPA500? I'm wondering where these are available. Or is anyone using a 220 v surge protector? Are these available for the NEMA 6-15 plug?
>>
>> John K7FD
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this
>> email
>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
>> [hidden email]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email]