How to Protect Electronic Appliances

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Below is an interview between Laura from Networx and an Electolux representative. In the interview, you'll find useful information on how to treat large appliances during a power outage.

LAURA: How might a power outage affect digital appliances?

ELECTROLUX: A complete power failure will obviously cause a loss of power to the unit, but no damage. Once the electricity supply is functioning again, our units will communicate to you in some way (depending on feature set) that power was lost at the unit level. For example, with our connected appliances, you’ll get an alert on your phone when your power has been restored after an electrical outage.

You will also be notified if a HI TEMP was recorded in a Food Preservation Product, letting you know that your food was exposed to higher than acceptable refrigeration or freezer temperatures.

LAURA: What happens during a period of lowered voltage, as in a power brownout?

ELECTROLUX TEAM: Our Electronic Mainboards (power supplies) are designed to keep performing through NA Standards. As long as the brownout stays within the range of the power supply, the unit will function as normal. 

If the brownout drops below the standard range of the power supply for NA alternating current (AC) power, the unit will behave as if a power outage has taken place.

LAURA: Do you advise our readers to unplug their large appliances for safety reasons?

ELECTROLUX TEAM: There should be no reason to unplug units during a storm or power outage event.

LAURA: Can you use a surge protector or a generator for electronic kitchen appliances?

ELECTROLUX: We do have consumers who attach our units to generators or whole home generators. Operation is dependent on the output voltage, current, and wattage of the generator.

However, our instructions for the installation of the Appliance are documented in the product manual: Direct connection to a dedicated 20-amp circuit.

LAURA: Do you have any other protection tips?

ELECTROLUX TEAM: Ensure that the wiring for your house and dedicated 20A circuit meets NA wiring standards for power.

Source: Networx