Fizbin wrote: 
> Strange how turning a breaking off and on would do that. I wonder if the
> outcome would have been the same if the power (lines) went off and on?


Probably.  Depending on the utility provider, and the configuration of
the circuits and their respective loads on energizing, every time you
re-energize at the service panel or elsewhere, you run the risk of a
transient on the line.  Some larger loads push all sorts of
irregularities on the local circuit as they cycle off and on.

Depending on the voltage sensitivity of the connected equipment, that
can either weaken internal components over time or take them out
outright.  And few power supplies are going to stop those kinds of
transients from reaching the supply rails for a few milliseconds.  So
the equipment slowly takes hits, eroding the weakest parts (usually
microprocessors) to eventual failure.  And today, even major appliances
like refrigerators are stuffed full of chips.

So your best bet with today’s electronics is always a three tiered
transient protection strategy, starting at the meter, continuing at the
service panel, with final local protection at the outlets supplying the
devices.  This will catch the bigger grid spikes from getting too far
into your location, while catching the smaller remainder waveform and
protecting the devices from each other at the outlets themselves.  On
the most critical equipment, full sine-wave protection UPS is
practically a necessity today.

You would be amazed at how much longer all electrical devices last when
given comprehensive transient protection.


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