Publication date: 10/13/2009

Carefully manage your home circuit breaker with professional help

Dear Glenn: My home is 25 years old and seems to have a somewhat modern circuit board with 35 individual circuit breakers. I don't know the amp quality in them, except that major users of power seem to be on a separate circuit. I have a few individual plug-in surge protectors connected to things like refrigerators, but don't know anything about the quality or efficiency of these plugs. Do you think I should be a candidate for the central surge protector you referred to in last week's Homestyle article, and do you think the quality of the individual surge protector for things like my HD TV and computer should have something better?

John, Troy

Dear John: Thanks for reading my article. I would give Mike Bratcher a call at Bratcher Electric, (734) 722-0037, www.bratcherelectric.com. He can give you advice on what kind of amp service you need to safely run all the electrical equipment in your home. He also can see if your existing circuits are adequate. The surge protectors I mentioned have special needs.

One is for the whole house, one is designed for cable lines, and one is designed for phone lines. In addition, the use of a line conditioner is strongly advised.

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Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

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