OT Technical question - Is it okay to plug a fridge into a surge protector?

AuraEdge · September 3rd, 2002, 08:55 PM

Just learned alot about surge protectors past few days when doing research on a UPS I bought, like how your not supposed to use them in series, and that you shouldnt plug too much stuff into the same outlet because they only supply a certain amount of watts to each outlet. I have a minifridge that I would like more outlets next to, but I'm outta plugs on the outlet that the fridge is plugged into. I was wondering if it was cool to plug the fridge into a surge protector, and if anyone knows, what kind of wattage an average minifridge sucks up, so I know what I have left to use on that surge. The surge strip I want to use is a 1875w model w/ about 900J of protection. The fridge is about 2.5x1.5x1.5 ft, and has a small freezer compartment. I know the energy saver sticker would probably tell me, but I spent about two days early this summer melting that thing off with mass amounts of Goof-off, so that isnt available to me. Its a pretty old one (~10 years?), since I got it second hand.

Thanks in advance.

Redwolf · September 3rd, 2002, 09:03 PM

Ummm...you can do it but I don't reccomend it. The compressor takes some watts to power (ever notice your lights flicker when it turns on?)

AuraEdge · September 3rd, 2002, 09:17 PM

For the big fridge in the kitchen, yes, but not for this one. Maybe its just small enough.

I did some research - apparently this fridge isnt in the "minifridge" catagory, but in "fridge - dorm sized" catagory. I also went to this generic site, http://www.pmpa.com/javacalc2.php , which states a dorm sized fridge takes up 350w's while its on.

I wouldnt be plugging anything else big on this surge protector..maybe nothing at all really. Its really more for expandibility because I'm completely out of plugs on this side of the room, or for things when I need temporary power, like hwen I need to scan something, I need somewhere to plug in the scanner. Would hooking up a surge protector between the outlet and the fridge impeed the watts that the compressor needs to power or something?

Redwolf · September 3rd, 2002, 09:44 PM

You can do it, but it would be a risk. if your surge protector blows, or if the strip gets real hot, consider plugging the fridge elsewhere.

zen · September 4th, 2002, 10:04 AM

Bah...Plug er right in. If anything youll blow a breaker long before anything will get too hot. Anyway that fridge will only draw about 3-4 amps which will give you another15-16 before overload. You'll be fine!

AuraEdge · September 4th, 2002, 06:33 PM

It probably takes 3-4 Amps to run the moter, but I wonder how much it take to start it. It should be much higher if I'm not mistaken. I think that the number I should be searching for, but I doubt I'll find any information on it.

Assuming there is a risk involved in plugging in the fridge into the surge. Would that be the risk of the life of the fridge, or the surge protector, or even the circuit?

If its just the surge, I'd probably do it anyways. If its the fridge or the circuit, I probably wont, since I dont think I'd be able to get another fridge for around what I got this one for..

Redwolf · September 4th, 2002, 07:44 PM

That's why they call it a 'surge' protector.

It may shorten the surge protector's life, but as long as it doesn't get really warm, you should be fine.

BTW, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT plug that sucker into a UPS.

AuraEdge · September 5th, 2002, 01:28 PM

I figured that much by myself.

I think I'm just going to try it anyways as long as I'm not risking the life of the circuit or the fridge. The surge is replacible at 10 bucks a pair.

Thanks for all the info and help.

dunbar · September 5th, 2002, 02:19 PM

Surge suppressors are certainly replaceable, but exactly how will you know when it needs replacing? Most of these things fail as open circuits, and there is no easy way of knowing if they have died (unless you deliberately test them). I've traced out the schematics of a few of them, even the LED versions, those I traced out cannot tell you the MOVs are open circuited, despite the LEDs being represented as telling you they are 'showing the suppressor is ready'.... ready is an ambiguous term, and the LEDs simply show voltage is present in the circuit, nothing more. I can give more details, but the point is: Surge suppressors give false security when they function while there is no surge protection.

AuraEdge · September 5th, 2002, 02:28 PM

I'm not using the surge protector for it's surge protecting though.
I'm using it for more temporary outlets. Even if the surge protector is failed and the surge protecting is all used up, so long as it still functions, wouldnt it be the same as actually plugging it into the wall? (albiet with another wire in between). I would ditch it if the wire got hot though, since thats a safety hazard.