This is a most informative article, and it echoes what w_tom says:
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So when I call an arbitrary electrician to ask for a grounding survey, how do I know he's telling me the truth?
Do I have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to purchase a ground tester?
This is for a single family home that I have lived in for about 7 years, and will probably continue to live in for about 7 more years.
Since I'm having electrical work done, I would also like something like this:
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installed at my breaker box; it would be nice if it could break down it's info by each breaker; and it would also be nice if it could tell me how much current is flowing through my ground connection.
Here are random URLs of info:
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Here is a summary of models I have found, and some anecdotes from Usenet:
MODEL: Panamax Primax RESELLER: SmartHome.com
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2700 AMPS: 60,000 CIRCUIT TYPE: 120/240 1 Phase, 50/60 Hz RESPONSE TIME: 8x20 microseconds PRICE: $119.99 WARRANTY: the manufacturer provides a 3-year Connected Major Appliance Protection Policy up to $10,000 for the repair or replacement of major household appliances (refrigerator, freezer, oven, range, washer, dryer, ceiling fan or dishwasher) and a 5-year product warranty. URLS:
- Press Release:
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- Negative Experiences:
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- More Negative Experiences:
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MODEL: Leviton 51120-1 RESELLER: SmartHome.com
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950 AMPS: 50,000 CIRCUIT TYPE: RESPONSE TIME: "Instantaneous" PRICE: $189.99 WARRANTY: URLS:
- Positive Comment:
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- Negative Comment:
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- Positive Comment:
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MODEL: Panamax gpp8005 RESELLER: PowerSystemsDIRECT
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JOULES: 2,700 AMPS: 60,000 CIRCUIT TYPE: 120/240 1 Phase 50/60Hz RESPONSE TIME: PRICE: $99.99 WARRANTY: Connected Equipment Policy Length 3 Years; Connected Equipment Policy Amount $10,000; Lightning Protection Yes URLS: Model description:
MODEL: Intermatic IG1240RC RESELLER: SmartHomeUSA.com
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JOULES: 1,200 AMPS: 48,000 CIRCUIT TYPE: 120/240V 60Hz RESPONSE TIME: Less than 5 nanoseconds PRICE: $69.95 WARRANTY: $10,000 warrantee URLS:
- Positive:
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- Positive:
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- Positive:
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- Informational:
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MODEL: Intermatic PanelGuard IG1300-4T-2C, protects (?) phone-lines and cable lines too RESELLER: JOULES: AMPS: 48,000 CIRCUIT TYPE: 120/240 single (split) phase, 4 telephone lines, and 2 coax cable lines; ALL MODE PROTECTION (L1-N, L2-N, L1-G, L2-G, N-G, L1-L2); 150 Volt MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors) [AC Protection]; 350 Volt Gas Tube [Telephone Protection]; 90 Volt Gas Tube [Coax Cable / Satellite Protection] RESPONSE TIME: PRICE: IG1300-2T is $152.83 at
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$10,000, 5 year warranty URLS:
- Non-negative:
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- Positive:
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MODEL: Ditek DTK-WH8 Whole House Kit RESELLER: StayOnline
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1050 AMPS: 125,000 CIRCUIT TYPE: 120 / 240 Split Phase ; Suppressed Voltage Rating: 700V (L-L), 400V (L-G, L-N, N-G) RESPONSE TIME: Less than 5 nanosecond PRICE: $149 WARRANTY: URLS:
MODEL: PolyPhaser IS-PM120-SP RESELLER: PolyPhaser.com JOULES: AMPS: 40,000 CIRCUIT TYPE: 120Vac, 1 Phase, 2 Wires & GND RESPONSE TIME: ?? Turn-On Time: 25ns ?? PRICE: WARRANTY: URLS:
- Positive:
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