Burnt Surge Suppressor

[squillace]

We recently had a surge suppressor burn/flame on an older outlet strip (before new UL 1449. Was used in a cubicle; 4 wire (2 phase; 1 neutral; 1 ground). We suspected an open neutral caused the problem which produced 208 volts across the receptacle. However, the varistors in the surge suppression were rated at 220 volts and when we took another similar outlet strip with same surge suppression; and placed 208 (in a lab) across the terminals, we could not simulate the overheating. Can an open neutral cause higher than phase to phase voltages?...or do we have somthing-else going on with this? Thanks!

 

[charlie tuna]

Re: Burnt Surge Suppressor

yes an open neutral will cause many plug strips to burn up - - - and i mean "burn"! an electrical contractor came in to do some work in another tenant space and accidentially disconnected the wrong neutral in the panel. it caused four plug strips to burn up in another tenant space --- scourched the carpet under the strips! melted the front side of the strips!