Whole house surge protectors

[ohhtay]

Can anyone give a recommendation and price on a whole house surge protector?

[retiredguy123]

SECO charges $349, or you can rent it for $5.95 per month. There are a lot of other threads on this topic. Do a search. The surge protector is attached to the back side of your electric meter. Most people don't have them. In my opinion, they are not worth buying because they don't provide much protection to your house, and, if you have damage, the warranty will exclude almost everything. Read the warranty.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

mine was custom installed by Galaxy, and it costs about $500. . . what does it do? protects against locally created surges. Most electrical distribution grids contain surge protectors to protect the home. I remember in the early nineties walking down a hallway in an office building in Boca Raton and hearing the surge protectors clicking away with the surges during electrical storms.

Today, the grid is completely upgraded, and the surges are few and far between. However, locally created surges from local lightning surges is what the protector will help protect from. Note I said help protect from, because the closer the hit, the less the surge protector is able to handle. . . its an odds game. . . probability very low, but probability higher here than other places, whose local does not start with FL. I look at the expense as a small insurance product over the next 10 years, will be $50 per year. . . paid up front, so that if the house does get a direct hit, the insurance company will pay. . .

internet lawyers need not tell me to read my policy, thanks in advance

[retiredguy123]

I don't know about the Galaxy warranty, but the SECO warranty is very entertaining to read. I read the "exclusions" section about 3 times, and I could not identify anything in my house that would NOT be excluded from the warranty, if a surge occurred.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I don't know about the Galaxy warranty, but the SECO warranty is very entertaining to read. I read the "exclusions" section about 3 times, and I could not identify anything in my house that would NOT be excluded from the warranty, if a surge occurred.

Yeah, I am not expecting to claim anything on warranty from a failed surge protection. I am only expecting insurance coverage if the house gets a direct hit. . retail, cheap small items' warranties are mostly uncollectible legal mumbo, so that was not the reason for buying.

For the most part, its a first step in protecting from big but not ginormous surges which are relatively few and far between, but can be a pain in the ass with all kinds of electronics. . .

[GpaVader]

I don't know about the Galaxy warranty, but the SECO warranty is very entertaining to read. I read the "exclusions" section about 3 times, and I could not identify anything in my house that would NOT be excluded from the warranty, if a surge occurred.

The warranty is very good and covers everything. We went with the Galaxy solution and if Mike Holmes says it does a good job its good enough for me....

[davem4616]

the electric company will put a device in between the meter and your house...I've had it done in this home and a previous home that I've owned in FL...something like $5/mo

I'll still get some surges, but it rare....most everything electronic that I care about is also on a surge stick

[Altavia]

There no way to prevent lightening damage, all you can do is reduce the risk. Whole house plus local protectors for expensive items is the best you can do.

Having had a house hit, fixing/replacing more a dozen items and working with the insurance took time and was a lot of work.

So I do things, like surge protectors, that cost less than my insurance deductable to reduce the risk.

[Stu from NYC]

We purchased the whole house surge protector about a year ago.

Does it really prevent expensive electronic stuff from being ruined? Who knows but between that and individual surge protectors figured it was the best we can do.

[retiredguy123]

If a $350 device attached to your electric meter is needed to prevent harmful power surges in your house, why doesn't the power company incorporate the device into the meter in the first place? I think it is shameful for the power company to try to sell an add-on product to your house for extra profit, that is obviously not needed or it would already be part of their equipment.

[JoMar]

We had Pike install a panel whole house surge protector, plus we have surge protectors on the electronics and battery backup on the tv's and computers. I suspect it will handle a minor surge but if anything severe happens probably will lose stuff :)

[CoachKandSportsguy]

We had Pike install a panel whole house surge protector, plus we have surge protectors on the electronics and battery backup on the tv's and computers. I suspect it will handle a minor surge but if anything severe happens probably will lose stuff :)

put the battery backup on the cable modem and router/switches if you have them. . otherwise, battery backup on the computers won't help because the network is down

[rsmurano]

Surge protector on the meter or in the panel is the way to go for $6 a month. I lease them because if they fail, the electric company will replace it for free. You buy a unit for $500 and it fails/or works because it caught a surge, you have to buy another and have it put in.
You can’t put surge protectors on every outlet in your house say for your dryer/over/furnace/air conditioning unit, so the whole house surge protectors are needed.
Most people buy the cheapest surge protectors for their TV’s and stereo systems and they rob you of performance. I went fairly cheap for a surge/noise conditioner box for my home theater tv/stereo at $500, but for a really nice surge/line conditioner for a good/great audio system, they can cost up to $10k, which will regenerate the power for your system.

[Catalina36]

Makes sense to me. $6.00 per month $72.00 per year vs. to purchase at $500 or $600. My rental fee will be good for 7 years
and if the surge protector fails and needs to be replaced I am not responsible. Sounds like that's the way to go.

[midiwiz]

yet it will offer next to no protection for anything. I'll explain, surge protection for the most part is an imaginary thing for a lot of people. People delve into these things expecting that if lightning strikes they will be protected. This is false.

Quite seriously even the largest of surge devices provide no protection against lightning strikes. it happens far too fast for the electronics to detect. As for the little "bumps in the middle" some of these prices mentioned are far too high for those. Power provided today is provided in a better manner than 10 years ago.

If you are that concerned still, you are better off just buying an outlet box type for whatever it is you feel requires it. It costs far less for the "comfort" you wish to feel.

You will get the exact same results.

[Sandy and Ed]

If a $350 device attached to your electric meter is needed to prevent harmful power surges in your house, why doesn't the power company incorporate the device into the meter in the first place? I think it is shameful for the power company to try to sell an add-on product to your house for extra profit, that is obviously not needed or it would already be part of their equipment.
Amen to that. Or simply bury the cost of this “extra” (??) protection into their rate (it’s not like you can go to competition). All homes should have surge protection at the meter added as part of SECO standard installation. Also why not include as part of building code?

[Ptmckiou]

Our electric company came out and installed one for free. We upgraded the warranty to include all electronics and I believe it’s $11 a month. Covers everything with the upgrade, otherwise around $5 a month and doesn’t cover electronics.

[jrref]

Whole house surge protectors reduce the level of the incoming surge so your individual surge protectors at your electronics have a better chance of stopping the surge and protecting your equipment. Surge protection is a multi step process. Whole house surge protectors are best located at the source, i.e., your meter because as one responder correctly stated you want as little distance as possible between the power source and the surge protector to catch very fast spikes but the ones installed in your electrical panel will work fine as well.

The power company supplied surge protector will give you the most protection for your appliances such as your HVAC system where you can't install individual surge protectors. You appliances should be covered by the insurance.

Although nothing is 100% especially if you house takes a direct hit or a hit very close by, it's worth the money to get a whole house surge protector.

[FredJacobs]

Can anyone give a recommendation and price on a whole house surge protector?
Lenart Electric sells and installs one for about $150. It's usually advertised in the Daily Sun.

[Stu from NYC]

Lenart Electric sells and installs one for about $150. It's usually advertised in the Daily Sun.

I do like the idea of installing it outside our house to hopefully eliminate or reduce surge before it gets into our house.

[Oneiric]

When we bought our house, A1 Lightning Protecton Services installed a lightning rod system that came with a Ditek D50 whole house surge protector on the electric panel and small individual surge protectors on each appliance. In 8 years, we have had no damage, while several of my neighbors without lightning protection and whole house surge protector have had all of their electronics and/or appliances destroyed.
For us,the cost was well worth the protection and peace of mind.

[tallyhoer]

Lenart Electric. $175. Connected to main electric box

[Windguy]

I don’t know if anyone can realistically recommend a specific surge protector. The best you can hope for is a negative review to know who to eliminate. I have a Pike-installed system ($300 in 2015) with individual protectors on all the expensive stuff and also on the co-ax coming in for cable.

It’s like insurance. You don’t really know if it’s any good until you need it. I’ve not been hit, so I can’t say it’s good. If I had been hit and my stuff was still damaged, then I could give you a negative review.

One thing to keep in mind (besides price) is the joule capacity, which is how much energy it can absorb. The bigger the better.

Another thing to remember is that protectors are good for one hit, as the sacrifice themselves. Pike said a replacement would cost the same as a new installation.

[Dana1963]

I'll wait for the VillageTinkerer to chime in we have one installed on side of the home from SECO.
Unless poster are Electrical Engineers it's blah, blah, blah.

[Lightning]

SECO charges $349, or you can rent it for $5.95 per month. There are a lot of other threads on this topic. Do a search. The surge protector is attached to the back side of your electric meter. Most people don't have them. In my opinion, they are not worth buying because they don't provide much protection to your house, and, if you have damage, the warranty will exclude almost everything. Read the warranty.

SECO's meter-based surge protectors are highly reliable for surges that come through the power lines. However, you still need point-of-use surge protectors for all high valued appliances and electronics for surges from other sources such as telephone, cable, and even induction into the homes wiring. Many fail to route coax cable for TVs though a surge protector. This is only for INDIRECT lightning strikes. If your concern is a DIRECT lightning strike consider a lightning protection system installed by a UL listed contractor. There is considerable supporting information elsewhere on this site.

[dewilson58]

Unless poster are Electrical Engineers it's blah, blah, blah.

But I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[Rick M]

I did the same thing as a new consumer with Duke electric how can you beat it.

[Proveone]

Can anyone give a recommendation and price on a whole house surge protector?
If you are on SECO, rent it by the month or buy it from them outright. It has a ten year replacement warranty.

[Driller703]

Can anyone give a recommendation and price on a whole house surge protector?

We just moved in to a new designer home in Hawkins. It already had one in place when we bought it. An electrician pointed it out to us.

[villagetinker]

I'll wait for the VillageTinkerer to chime in we have one installed on side of the home from SECO.
Unless poster are Electrical Engineers it's blah, blah, blah.

VT here, we have the SECO unit, and when there was a very close in lightning strike, the neighbor suffered around $7000 is damages, we had nothing inside, about 18 months later the cable TV feed failed. The neighbor's damage was almost all outdoor equipment, GFCIs, pool computer, pool pumps, landscape lighting, etc, and I think a few inside the house. We believe the strike was to a pole or sign post about 75 feet from each house.

There is a situation called 'ground potential rise' which occurs during a close in strike, and this can cause the lightning strike surge to be conducted into the house by ANY conductor that leaves the house and is in the vicinity of the strike. The SECO units help with reducing these surges, and individual surge protectors on sensitive electronics provide additional protection.

IMHO, I believe these are useful items, either in the breaker panel or in the meter base.

VERY IMPORTANT, make sure any power strips you but that state "surge protector" are actually UL rated (tested) as SURGE PROTECTORS and not as extensions cords, as I recall the correct UL standard is 1449.

[Quixote]

Makes sense to me. $6.00 per month $72.00 per year vs. to purchase at $500 or $600. My rental fee will be good for 7 years
and if the surge protector fails and needs to be replaced I am not responsible. Sounds like that's the way to go.

If (in this case) SECO owns it, they have to maintain it. I can see where it would be easy for them to say to someone who's bought it that they own it and the issue is theirs. I'm not suggesting that they will but rather implying that perhaps they could.... Yes, it's like insurance....


...In 8 years, we have had no damage, while several of my neighbors without lightning protection and whole house surge protector have had all of their electronics and/or appliances destroyed.
For us, the cost was well worth the protection and peace of mind.

Ditto here, except for over 14 years and no damage ever! A1 Lightning Protection Systems do an exceptional installation—and for us more reasonably than we expected. We had the system installed not so much for lightning protection in relation to the house being hit by lightning but rather that this home has natural gas, and having come from an area where black pipe is common, the pipe used throughout the attic (!) in Villages homes looks not much sturdier than a heavy cardboard. The lightning protection which grounds, among other areas, the gas distribution board, was a no-brainer....

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I'll wait for the VillageTinkerer to chime in we have one installed on side of the home from SECO.
Unless posters are Electrical Engineers it's blah, blah, blah.

exactly correct. . . everything is :blahblahblah: :blahblahblah: :blahblahblah:
unless you know the poster and that poster is a professional. . .

finance :blahblahblah: guy

[montagnard1969]

Surge protectors are only as good as the components within them. Units are rated in Joules [pronounced jew-lays] and are of different values and types. If you go to the IEEE [the website of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers] you will find standards that define these devices. They vary widely in their capacity, application and function. Just because it says “surge protector” on the device doesn’t mean it will do what you expect.
Surges [over voltages, in seconds] and spikes [rapid rise in voltage-short duration, in portions of a 60 hertz] can enter the electrical system of a home in many ways. It can strike the earth and enter through system grounding [earthing] rod, it can enter through the cable TV or telephone line buried in the ground. Direct strikes are less likely but much more catastrophic in damage. There is also degradation of electronic components of household devices through
repeated short duration events you do not notice in the system at all. I like to refer to this as “electronic rust”. These repeat incidents slowly degrade the electronic components of all appliances and devices containing electronic circuit boards and components. Sometime in the future these devices fail for no apparent reason because the components are affected over time by the factors mention previously. Here in Florida we are one of the areas of the world experiencing the most lightning events. These repeated lightning events degrades equipment over time no matter how much the utilities or the property owner try to mitigate this. You can do all you can by using surge equipment but in the end, lightning will do its damage despite the best equipment you buy because it is so pernicious. This equipment is not a “one and done” because the components within them degrade in the protection process and should be checked and replaced periodically when necessary.
To do the best you can do is buy the highest quality devices available, place them on all equipment as individual units, at each piece of equipment and provide a good whole house unit to have installed on your main panel. Have a qualified electrician check the system grounding on your home to assure it is solidly grounded, and corroded connection, no loose clamps or connections. If you can afford it have another ground rod driven and use #4 solid copper wire to do so between the two ground rods and all the way back to the main panel, if possible.

[keepsake]

Most surges I've seen come from nearby lightning strikes. And this utility protector does nothing to protect you from the most common surge entry into your home. Internet and cable paths into the home are ten times worse.

[keepsake]

I live outside of the Villages. Having solar and batteries I can go off-grid when bad storms are present and everything utility electrical is 'cut-off' from the outside surge path.

[keepsake]

If you rent it from the utility you have no way to tell when its blown at times. What good is warranty ? Make sure its outside and where you can see it physically. Inspect it regularly. When it blows you should see it clearly or at least see a deformed case.

[Altavia]

If (in this case) SECO owns it, they have to maintain it. I can see where it would be easy for them to say to someone who's bought it that they own it and the issue is theirs. I'm not suggesting that they will but rather implying that perhaps they could.... Yes, it's like insurance....




Ditto here, except for over 14 years and no damage ever! A1 Lightning Protection Systems do an exceptional installation—and for us more reasonably than we expected. We had the system installed not so much for lightning protection in relation to the house being hit by lightning but rather that this home has natural gas, and having come from an area where black pipe is common, the pipe used throughout the attic (!) in Villages homes looks not much sturdier than a heavy cardboard. The lightning protection which grounds, among other areas, the gas distribution board, was a no-brainer....


There have been class action lawsuit settlements related to CCST gas lines in the attic as used in many homes here.

CSST Class Action Lawsuit | Fire Safety Questioned | ClassAction.org (https://www.classaction.org/csst)

[Jeffmit]

You can buy on at Lowes. It takes up 2 spaces in your breaker box and cost $100.