Irrigation systems and lightening

[anlashokna]

Just thought I'd put this out in case some like us had no idea. We had a lightening hit down here in sanibel on the 9th. Several homes had there irrigation timers damaged from it plus other issues. After the timer was replaced we were told that you can buy a little surge protector to put in there. Might help with an indirect strike. Just wanted to put that out ! We have never ever had a hit that close anywhere we lived. It hit about 4 houses away in the open backyards but wreaked havoc with several homes. With us it came in through the irrigation and cable or jumped to the coxial in the box. Not sure which. So just a heads up. SECO also offers a whole house surge protection but we thought what good does that do if it comes in other ways like this time. Just wanted to pass along. Guess the hit wasn't widely known about.

[Bavarian]

Maybe it would be good to invest in a whole house surge protector, fits in circuit breaker box. A surge can knock out more than the irrigation timer, like computers, audio/video components and video monitors.

[asianthree]

Have a whole house and they sent some for the inside as well

[hotrodgirl]

Thanks for sharing that. It's good advice and I will be sure to get whole house protection!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Another recent thread on the topic of surge protection - some good insights:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/whole-house-surge-53587/

Relying solely on a whole house surge protector is not going to catch everything.

Bill :)

[Lightning]

See the July edition of the POA Bulletin for a complete description of indirect lightning strikes and how to prevet damage with primary and secondary surge protection.

[CarGuys]

Maybe it would be good to invest in a whole house surge protector, fits in circuit breaker box. A surge can knock out more than the irrigation timer, like computers, audio/video components and video monitors.

I did!

[mulligan]

To be covered 100%, put surge protection on the irrigation panel, and the A/C disconnect outside also.

[Lightning]

Beware of the misleading term "wholehouse" surge protection. You need Primary and Secondary Surge Protection. As stated in an earlier post see the Lightning Matters article in the July issue of the POA Bulletin for details at poa4us.org.

[jblum315]

To be covered 100%, put surge protection on the irrigation panel, and the A/C disconnect outside also.

Also on the garage door opener motor

[champion6]

I'm a little lost... How does one install secondary surge protection for the irrigation controller?

First, it's not plugged into an outlet - it's hard-wired. Second, there is very little room inside the wall-mounted controller for a secondary device.

What device would be used? Where would it be place?

[mulligan]

remove controller from wall, pull electric wire out to new junction box, feed back into wall to controller voila!

[Niels]

I'm a little lost... How does one install secondary surge protection for the irrigation controller?

First, it's not plugged into an outlet - it's hard-wired. Second, there is very little room inside the wall-mounted controller for a secondary device.

What device would be used? Where would it be place?

Champion 6 - Interesting that your irrigation controller is hard wired. I bought my house in early 2010 and my irrigation controller plugs into an electrical outlet in my garage.

[cquick]

We had Pat Rafferty do lightning rods on our house.

[jimbo2012]

Check out these (http://www.tmanufacturing.com/surgeprotection.html) options

Valve and communictation wires can act as an antenna when lightning strikes. The ZAP Control helps to divert that energy to earth ground BEFORE it reaches your equipment!

Valves and wires can short, damaging your controller. ZAP CONTROL with Fuse Protection turns off the power to that valve until it is repaired, then will automaticly restore power!