Lightning strike - where to start?

[jojo]

It appears that both our pool controls and/or pump and irrigation system took a direct hit tonight. We'll check more in the morning but the breaker for the irrigation system was not tripped. Not sure whether to just start with an electrician for the irrigation system? Will call T&D for the pool. Suggestions? We're happy that our AC is working.

[Wiotte]

It appears that both our pool controls and/or pump and irrigation system took a direct hit tonight. We'll check more in the morning but the breaker for the irrigation system was not tripped. Not sure whether to just start with an electrician for the irrigation system? Will call T&D for the pool. Suggestions? We're happy that our AC is working.



First call, an electrician so as to determine the integrity of your line voltage system. Based upon his report you can then line up the low voltage contractors ( irrigation & pool controller ).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Uberschaf]

Always check GFIC's first. Most outlets are on gfic's.

[TommyT]

"GFCI" stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

[fred53]

It would not "appear" that you took a direct hit. If you took a direct hit most of your house would be without electricity(if not all)and there would be signs of it. A lightning strike can do harm even from a distance.

[HiHoSteveO]

Not sure of your familiarity with circuit breakers, but just in case...
A tripped circuit breaker may appear to still be on. It will be in the center position.

To reset it, you MUST FIRST switch it fully off, then fully to the on position. You'll hear a click.

Sorry if you knew this.

[Sandtrap328]

Don't forget to call your homeowners insurance company!

[villagetinker]

I agree with many of the comments above, we had a close in lightning strike, and all of the GFCI breakers and receptacles tripped. So as stated above, first check all of the breakers, once these are determined to be in the ON position, then check the GFCI receptacles, our house has 3 in the garage alone.
hope this helps.

[jojo]

The breakers were all on, not in the mid position. However, we switched them off and back on. Someone said that we will likely need to replace our irrigation control system since it is 10 years old.

[spk7951]

It appears that both our pool controls and/or pump and irrigation system took a direct hit tonight. We'll check more in the morning but the breaker for the irrigation system was not tripped. Not sure whether to just start with an electrician for the irrigation system? Will call T&D for the pool. Suggestions? We're happy that our AC is working.


We have twice had close lightning strikes that have shut down our pool controls. Both times the T&D tech was great and quickly determined that the master board shorted out. We were equally fortunate to have the boards replaced at no cost by the manufacturer otherwise we would have been out about $700 for each board.

Seeing you are in Amelia we did notice a number of Fire Dept responses to Amelia between 8:30pm and about 9:15pm last night. Could have been quite a few lightning related incidents in that storm.

[CWGUY]

You didn't say and nobody has asked..... do/did you have any type of surge protection. Whole house or point of use or both.:shrug:

[jojo]

We have twice had close lightning strikes that have shut down our pool controls. Both times the T&D tech was great and quickly determined that the master board shorted out. We were equally fortunate to have the boards replaced at no cost by the manufacturer otherwise we would have been out about $700 for each board.

Seeing you are in Amelia we did notice a number of Fire Dept responses to Amelia between 8:30pm and about 9:15pm last night. Could have been quite a few lightning related incidents in that storm.

Yes several houses had some damage including three in our neighborhood that had a gas line hit. TECO has been there all day with several trucks and major digging. It was a scary night.

[jojo]

You didn't say and nobody has asked..... do/did you have any type of surge protection. Whole house or point of use or both.:shrug:

Yes we have whole house surge protection. I plan to call SECO.

[CWGUY]

Yes we have whole house surge protection. I plan to call SECO.

Thank you. Good luck and please let us know what they say and how it all turns out.

[Chi33]

Dog and I were in bed in fear until our meds kicked in.

[jojo]

Dog and I were in bed in fear until our meds kicked in.

:doggie::)

For an inexplicable reason, now our pool and irrigation system are working. We fidgeted with breakers, wires etc. and both systems started working. The irrigation control box in the midst of the fray was showing odd settings. That has now reverted to normal. Thanks for your helpful suggestions.

[linnea1107]

I'm new to TV. Bought my house June 30 and haven't moved in yet, but I'm headed in that direction. As I was reading this thread, I was so impressed by all the good common sense suggestions. Then the little miracle, the systems started working. So glad for your good luck. I see there are so many good neighbors. I know I've made the right choice and can't wait to start participating.

[villagetinker]

I'm new to TV. Bought my house June 30 and haven't moved in yet, but I'm headed in that direction. As I was reading this thread, I was so impressed by all the good common sense suggestions. Then the little miracle, the systems started working. So glad for your good luck. I see there are so many good neighbors. I know I've made the right choice and can't wait to start participating.

Welcome to TV, glad we have made a good impression.

[Lightning]

You didn't say and nobody has asked..... do/did you have any type of surge protection. Whole house or point of use or both.:shrug:
Good advice on the need to consider surge protection living here in the Lightning Capital of the US (not the world as you often hear). But a caution about "whole house surge protection". Surge protection is for an Indirect Lightning Strike.



To protect against damage to your sensitive electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, microwave ovens, telephone answering machines, games, refrigerators, garage door operators, irrigation controllers, pool controllers, motorized recliners & sofas, etc. you may wish to consider both primary and secondary surge protection. Remember lightning loves technology!



Primary Surge Protection

This is surge protection installed on your electric meter by your electric utility. For example, SECO will lease a surge protector on your meter for $5.95 per month or purchase for $349. It can also be achieved by engaging a licensed electrician to install a surge protector on a dedicated two-pole breaker on your electrical panel. This level of protection is to prevent surge damage to hard-wired equipment that you do not plug into a 120-volt wall outlet. This is not “whole house” surge protection.



Secondary Surge Protection

This level of surge protection is called point-of-use and the devices are sometimes referred to as “plug ins.” These surge protectors plug into a 120-volt wall outlet to protect microwave ovens, garage door openers, refrigerators. Power strips are another form of secondary surge protection for televisions and computers. These devices can be purchased from electronics, hardware, and big box stores.



Surges can also enter your home from other sources such as telephone and satellite/cable TV lines. Therefore, it is vitally important that telephone lines to an answering machine or computer be routed through a secondary surge protector. This is also true for the coaxial cable line for a television.



If your concern is a Direct Lightning Strike to your home consider a lightning protection system installed by a UL listed firm that employs installers who qualify for Master Installer by the Lightning Protection Institute.

[BK001]

Good advice on the need to consider surge protection living here in the Lightning Capital of the US (not the world as you often hear). But a caution about "whole house surge protection". Surge protection is for an Indirect Lightning Strike.

...

Primary Surge Protection
This is surge protection installed on your electric meter by your electric utility.

...

If your concern is a Direct Lightning Strike to your home consider a lightning protection system installed by a UL listed firm that employs installers who qualify for Master Installer by the Lightning Protection Institute.


Can anyone recommend a firm/person who would install a lightening protection system? Any idea of approximate cost? We did opt yes for the surge protection offered by SECO. Thanks

[Dan9871]

Can anyone recommend a firm/person who would install a lightening protection system? Any idea of approximate cost? We did opt yes for the surge protection offered by SECO. Thanks

We used A1 Lightning Protection. A1Lightning - Home (https://www.a1lightning.com/) to do our designer... cost about 2200.00. A neighbor used Triangle Lightning Triangle Lightning Protection - Home (http://www.tlpfl.com/) . Don't know their cost.

A1 meets the qualifications Lighting mentioned and I think Triangle does too.

[Lightning]

We used A1 Lightning Protection. A1Lightning - Home (https://www.a1lightning.com/) to do our designer... cost about 2200.00. A neighbor used Triangle Lightning Triangle Lightning Protection - Home (http://www.tlpfl.com/) . Don't know their cost.

A1 meets the qualifications Lighting mentioned and I think Triangle does too.

Both A-1 Lightning and Triangle Lightning are UL listed and employ installers that have passed the four closed book exams to qualify for Master Installer offered by the Lightning Protection Institute. Both have advertisements in the POA Bulletin and can be found on the POA web site poa4us.org. A-1 will come to your home and give you a presentation and a quote. Triangle offers a special price of $1,295 (aluminum conductors for copper add $200 to $300) for any home of less than 2,100 square feet. These firms do not engage in door-to-door sales. This is a buyer beware market place as there is no local, state, or federal oversight for residential properties. Door-to-door installers who flaunt The Villages solicitation rules may tell you that they use UL components but that does mean that the system they will install will meet NFPA 780, National Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, which is a model code adopted by Florida for health care and educational facilities.