Why do people unplug the refrigerator when there is a power outage?
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Answers:
Often when the power is restored there is a power surge. They don't want to have their costly electric appliance potentially fried.
Most smart people would probably unplug their TV and computer also, unless they have them on surge protectors.
I never have.
I have never heard of this, I have always heard to keep it closed, but not unplug it.
it is always a good idea to unplug or shut off any appliance that draws a large amount of power so you do not risk a power surge and do not burn -up anything.
It does not make sense to unplug the fridge if the plug is grounded.
It is a misconception that unplugging the fridge will do any good. Perhaps they fear that they wil get a shock when power is restored.
The best thing to do is keep the door tightly sealed and closed until power is restored. If it is more than several hours, check to see if any of the food has spoiled or melted. It is better to throw food out rather than get sick from rotten food.
You unplug when there is a bad storm, not a power outage. Actually, I don't bother even then. I should. House got zapped and blew up our big screen tv. Of course right after we made the last payment!
Unless you have all your expensive electronics plugged into a surge protector, they should be unplugged to protect them. Many times when electrical power comes back on, it surges in at a voltage high enough to burn out motors and other expensive electronics (TV's, Computers, Etc.)
Be safe - unplug
Only reason I can think of is if they are worried that a power surge when service is restored will damage it. This is a more valid worry for electronics than a fridge though.
If the Power "flickers" a few times and for a long enough period the compressor can start and stop...if this happens to quickly between resting ...the compressor can seize and has been known to... same applies to Air conditioners.
Because power often can go off, then on, then off, then on... I know someone whose refrigerator motor burned out when this happened. Of course, I never unplug mine. (It won't happen to me, right?)
It's an excellient idea. I just flip off breakers to items I worry about.
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