Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneiric
Our lightning rod system was put in by A-1 with a good surge protector on the electrical box. We also have small individual surge protectors on all of our electronics and appliances. Had a strike several years ago and had no damage to anything. Although we have a grounded gas line running through the attic, we felt the cost was worth avoiding any hassle/and or fire.
Our outdoor pool control box though, was toasted once by a ground strike near a neighbor, so make sure your pool electronics has its own separate grounding.
|
We could have written this; I'm in complete agreement. Our system was put in by A-1 as well at a cost of $1,200 (which included an additional $100 for grounding our bird cage). For us, this is a nominal amount for the protection we are convinced that it brings.
However, the primary reason we put the system in was because we have natural gas with the distribution lines in the attic, as has been mentioned already. The gas lines are relatively insubstantial when compared with the black pipe that was a requirement for gas lines—at least where we were—up north. The gas distribution panel has its own heavy grounding wire.
We also rent a whole house surge suppressor on our electric meter which is owned by SECO, as well as additional small ones in appropriate places in the house. We have had lightning strikes so close that we can feel the Earth shake (as well as the house...) and have NEVER had any damage. That's good enough for us!