OT - iron and computerized sewing machine

I searched using several phrases on both the urban legends site,

and Hoaxbusters, with no result. Also didn't find anything using Google. If it concerns you, it might be safer hook up your computerized machine through a really good quality UPS/surge protector. My computers are powered through a UPS, and I also have one on my VCR (but that's just because I hate to re-program it every time the lights flicker.)

A very dear friend of mine is married to an electrician. I will ask her to ask him. Then I will get back to you with the answer. But I can tell you that my sewing room is all on one circuit, and I have my embroidery machine plugged in all the time. (it's too big a PITA to climb behind the dresser it sits on to plug/unplug!) My iron is **frequently** plugged in and turned on in that same room. No problems here either. But I **will** ask.

Might not get back to you till Wed. Carpet is being installed tomorrow so I will be off line since I will have to move the computer and the desk. ;)

Sharon

I have no idea, but I know that a power sure or *something* on my older house's electrical system fried my Rowenta iron that had electronic shut-off. Never had that happen before, and never bought an iron that had electronic shut-off again.

Called my Son at work and asked this question. His answer is yes it can cause problems. When the Iron is calling for power to heat the element it MAY cause a brown out effect on the machines computer or any computer for that matter. He said the effects would probably not be noticed immediately but over time "could" cause permanent damage to the machines computer. May take years but what happens in a 'brown out' is the machine calls for more power and while doing this heats up. Better to have each on a separate circuit if possible or turn one off to use the other. Ian, is Asst. Head Electrician at Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, (just a wee brag here) and also does a lot of live theatre and concerts in the summer when the shows are up and running. He also said anything with an element that heats or cools should be on a separate circuit itself. He wired my kitchen so that each double socket is actually 2 circuits. The kitchen has 4 dedicated circuits, with most appliances hard wired in to their own. My sewing room also has 4 now. They are not hard to retrofit and can be done at the mains box. I do know that having too many things on a circuit has damaged my monitor. Because there were other hardware pieces on the same circuit as the monitor it caused lines and wavering in the screen to the point that over about 4 months it became annoying to the eye. After bringing in another circuit and putting the monitor and only one other piece (printer) on it the monitor cleared up and worked much better. Seems it needed ALL the power for itself and as I only use the printer occasionally it works great for both.