rap #38 03/07/11

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CHANGE CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS

CLOCKS WILL MAKE the switch to daylight saving time this Sunday, March 13, but some timepieces could unexpectedly jump another hour ahead in a few weeks.

"Some electronic clocks that are more than a few years old are preprogrammed to switch to daylight-savings time on the first Sunday in April," Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said.

The problem lies with the federal government's decision to begin daylight saving time three weeks earlier, beginning in 2007.

While standard clocks and other devices are easily reset manually, some older electronics are programmed with calendars that automatically adjust for the old time change in April.

"I have clocks in my own home that in the past I've have to change manually only to see them jump another hour ahead three weeks later," Vicari said. "I realized there is no way to program in the earlier date change to daylight saving time, so in a few weeks they are going to spring ahead again by themselves."

The unexpected time change can wreck havoc with VCRs, oven clocks and even the trusty bedroom alarm clock.

"Don't be surprised if your alarm clock sounds off an hour earlier come April," Vicari said.

Personal computers, DVRs and most newer electronics should not be impacted.

---