Description
There are two fundamental ways to protect inverters and portable generators.
1. Enclose the inverter or generator in something conductive. Our EMP bags and EMP cloth do a great job of providing protection (see our EMP Bags and our EMP Cloth).
2. Use transient protection devices. Our Transient Reducing Auxiliary Plugs (T.R.A.P.s) can be inserted into the the 12-volt DC auxiliary and 120-volt AC plugs to provide transient protection.
What is a T.R.A.P.™ and T.R.A.P.-AC?
The Transient Reducing Auxiliary Plug (T.R.A.P.) and The Transient Reducing Auxiliary Plug – AC (T.R.A.P.-AC) are a multi-purpose transient reducing devices that plug directly into either the 12V auxiliary receptacle or the 120 VAC outlet of inverters and portable generators.
What will a T.R.A.P.™ devices protect against?
The T.R.A.P.™ is designed to guard against very fast transients from any source. This includes radiated energy from a nearby lightning strike or an overhead electromagnetic pulse (EMP).
How can the T.R.A.P.™ devices be effective against an EMP when they’re so small?
The danger to inverters and portable generators from an EMP is the high voltage that is introduced on the cables from E1 and E2. Those transient voltages are extremely brief in time (from nanoseconds to microseconds) and can therefore be suppressed using small devices. This is distinctly different than the case with homes, which would also experience a powerful E1 current surge from the power grid.
Can you use more than one T.R.A.P.™ in a generator or inverter?
Absolutely. Putting energy “traps” at multiple points in your generator or inverter helps to better shunt away the unwanted energy.
Does the T.R.A.P.™-AC have an outlet on the back side?
No. The back of the T.R.A.P.™-AC is enclosed. It does not pass power through it.
Can you attach a T.R.A.P.™ across the battery?
If connecting across the battery, you need to use the T.R.A.P.™-B. It contains the same protective device as the T.R.A.P.™ but in a weatherproof package with ring terminals for easy attachment.
Installation Video of T.R.A.P.™-B across a vehicle battery:
Does a T.R.A.P.™ protect when the generator or inverter is powered off?
The T.R.A.P.™ can provide transient protection even when the generator or inverter is powered off because circuits and cable assemblies can still receive damaging energy. The T.R.A.P.™ continues to act as a high-frequency energy sink even when the generator or inverter is unpowered.
Will T.R.A.P.™ devices drain my battery?
T.R.A.P.™ products draw essentially zero current except when there is a significant overvoltage, so they won’t drain your battery.
How long will these products last?
The T.R.A.P.™ devices are designed to withstand any normal transient as well as a nuclear-generated EMP without damage.
Are they good quality?
The T.R.A.P.™ devices are hand assembled in the US and constructed from the highest quality materials (see below). Honestly, no corners were cut. These are made of the best materials you can buy.
T.R.A.P.™- The plug is made with bronze nickel plated negative contacts, gold plated center contact, and Bakelite body. It is rated for 25 Amps continuous, much more than is needed for voltage transients. The transient voltage suppression component is ultra high reliability (AEC Q101 qualified), has a turn-on time of < 1 picosecond, and can suppress up to 5,000 Watts!
T.R.A.P.™-B– The weatherproof module is IP68 rated with integrated rubber o-rings, automotive-grade wire, copper terminals, and marine-grade heatshrink. It contains the same AEC Q101 qualified transient suppression device as the T.R.A.P.™ but in a more convenient form factor for use across the battery.
T.R.A.P.™-AC– The industrial grade plug is made of extra tough Nylon/PVC construction that won’t crack even in high abuse applications.
