I just saw an interesting article on how electronic equipment may be at risk on January 1, 2000. Here's the link and a brief quote:

http://www.abqjournal.com/news/2news03-11.htm

[snip]

Nevertheless, Witschger said there's a "high probability" of frequency or voltage variations for at least a few hours after midnight, Dec. 31.

These would come as PNM's heaviest consumers, such as manufacturing plants, deal with their own Y2K problems and shut down or reset their systems. Such large changes in power consumption on the grid could cause voltage drops or spikes elsewhere.

The only danger from these fluctuations are to sensitive equipment, including computers and other electronics. Witschger said surge protectors should prevent any damage -- as would simply unplugging the equipment.

[snip]

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), March 11, 1999

Answers

Kevin; Another good alert. Keep them rolling. Thanks,

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 11, 1999.

FYI. I plan to pull the main fuses in my house at 11:00 pm. on new years evil. I will then watch the tv and listen to radio to see if there are any power problems. I don't want everything I have burnt up by low power or blown up by a big spike. Suggest you do same. More Power! Scotty

-- Scotty (BLehman202@aol.com), March 11, 1999.

You may want to check out a thread from a number of days ago. There's a lot of good info on surges and brownouts. I copied the URL, but I don't know if it'll work

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000YUD

Also, I pulled the thread to the top of the New Answers database screen moments ago for your reference. Title"Should I Buy CP&L Whole House Surge Protection Plan"

-- Puddintame (dit@dot.com), March 11, 1999.

Last Friday we had a power surge during a snowstorm,*there was no warning* I lost my computer, which of course was plugged into a surge protector.

It was most traumatic.

My advice: Unplug anything electronic you hold dear. (like Scotty said) It certainly won't hurt to be cautious.

Kevin,

Thanks for posting this is it definately a public service.

*Off Topic* When this happened to me I expected my Hubby the Internet Widower to be less than gracious, call it poetic justice or somthing, instead he was like; we definately need a new computer anyway & dragged me out Sat. to buy one. Knock me over with a feather. I just love that guy. Especially now that I actually feel like I'm surfing the Net instead of wading against the current. Forget diamonds, just give me my computer!

-- Deborah (info@wars.com), March 12, 1999.

I figure the whole house protector (see the other thread mentioned above) is my best insurance against power surges internal and external sourced - and against damage to TV's, VCR, and other devices as well as the two PC's.

Oh - Deborah - you're forgetting the way into an "internet widower's" heart is with the feather - and as little else as you can get away with wearing after the kids go to bed.

Surf the net later -

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 12, 1999.

Hi, I think I read it in Ed's book that surge protectors burn out in about a year, but unless you know that, it still appears to work. So it would seem that it might be good to purchase some new ones and install them in late December or something like that.

Sincerely, Apple

-- Apple (villarta@itsnet.com), March 12, 1999.

Does GMT apply in the electrical area? Which would be 6 hours sooner for me. IF so,it could mean unplugging alot earlier then expected.

-- maji (majiWI@yahoo.com), March 12, 1999.

Best bet is to take all your sensitive electronics off-line during critical times, like during the upcoming grid tests, GPS rollover, etc. , and obviously a day or so before 2000. This means physically unplugging them, as some remain "live" whenever plugged in.

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 12, 1999.