[Lightning]

For any Villager interested in the 259 years of lightning experience since Ben Franklin's discovery and the science from research may be interssted in enrolling in The Villages Lifelong Learning College course that can be found on page 54 of the Summer-Fall 2011 catalog. The purpose of this course is to help make you a savvy consumer by clearing up the many myths and misinformation about lightning.

The instructors are Villagers from the Study Group on Lightning who volunteer their time as there is no sales or marketing. The course is intended to educate the homeowner regarding his/her personal lightning risk, risk to your home, and risk to your appliances/electronics.

Our major resource is University of Florida Professor Martin Uman's book, "The Art and Science of Lightning Protection". Dr. Uman has been engaged in lightning research for four decades.

In our one hour program we address DIREC T LIGHTNING STRIKES and the possbile need for a lightning protection systems (LPS) commonly called lightning rods. How they work, do you need them, if so, how do you find a qualifed installer in a buyer beware market place?

We also address the more frequent but less severe INDIRECT LIGHTNING STRIKE that damages your appliances and electronics. We do not talk about the misnomer of "wholehouse" protection. We break it down to Primary Surge Protection on your electric meter or electric panel for hardwired equipment (A/C, etc) and Secondary Surge Protection for sensitive electronics like TVs, computers, garage door openers, mircowaves, refrigerators, telephone answering machines, games, irrigation system controllers, golf cart chargers, pool pumps, etc.

This course is also availble for free to Village clubs and organizations. It has been presented nearly 50 times in the last few years. Also see the POA web site for the back issues of the "Lightning Matters" columns that have published in the monthly POA Bulletins