[Paperboy]

There was a blurb yesterday on TOTV re: SECO installing a surge protector @ the the electric meter. Is this what they call a whole house surge protector? Or is a WHOLE HOUSE surge protector something completely different?
If you had this done what was the cost to you from SECO.
THANK YOU in advance for any input that you may have on this topic.

[jadlos]

We had SECO install one when we moved in 2 months ago. The cost is $5.95 per month, but I think you can buy it from them for $350.

[ljones190]

Originally Posted by Paperboy

There was a blurb yesterday on TOTV re: SECO installing a surge protector @ the the electric meter. Is this what they call a whole house surge protector? Or is a WHOLE HOUSE surge protector something completely different?
If you had this done what was the cost to you from SECO.
THANK YOU in advance for any input that you may have on this topic.

Yes this is a whole surge protector, added in front of the meter, about 300.00to buy installed or a small installation fee and 5.00 per month to lease, we bought ours for 300.00. They also give you local surge protection devices for your tv's and electronics.

[Midge538]

Well worth it ... unless you have never heard thunder or witnessed any lightening this summer. A whole house lightening system is also well worth it (IMHO) ... if you plan to be here for a number of years (Cost = $1200).

[Paperboy]

Is the unit GUARANTEED thru SECO? If so for how long.
THANKS AGAIN for the previous input.

[buggyone]

Yep, it is guaranteed for damages up to $25,000 for as long as you have the unit.

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Yep, it is guaranteed for damages up to $25,000 for as long as you have the unit.

This sounds like pretty good protection, but it's only part of the story. For the thousands of homes in TV which have flexible gas lines in the attic, the very real risk is a lightning strike starting a small roof fire, then melting the gas line and destroying the home literally in minutes. There are no less than seven cases of this happening in TV. Every home was total loss.
The only way to virtually eliminate the risk is with a properly installed lightning rod system. Yes, they cost more than a thousand dollars, but they basically make the SECO system unnecessary.
Notice the town square buildings, rec centers, etc. They all have lightning rods.
If you want more information about this, google the Property Owners Association website ( www.poa4us.org), and read the series of stories about lightning protection which have appeared over the last several years

[Snowbirdtobe]

There are many ways for lightning to enter the electric wiring in TV.
A hit to the sprinkler rain sensor, a strike on the lamp post, through the bird cage, the attic light, roof vents, and we have a pool.
I think that the protector in the electric meter would only protect from lightning entering trough the meter. Since the utilities are underground that chance, it seems to me, is remote.
When we signed up for electric service I posed this question to TOTV and didn't get a sense of it being a ripoff so we had them turn it on.
Has anyone ever received any money from SECO? My pool pump was damaged last month around the same time someone reported a motor capacitor failure on their heat pump. That could easily have been a lightning problem.
I have always thought that lightning rods were not necessary but the developer has put them on almost all of his buildings. Every time I see them on small single story buildings owned by the developer I think about checking them out.
I haven't yet but it's on my list of things to do.

[hedoman]

We got the SECO whole house system for a one time cost of $349. They clearly state that it will not protect you from a direct lightning strike but will protect all large appliances from voltage surges from nearby strikes or anything causing voltage fluctuations. It is recommended to put surge protection on garage door openers which are ultra sensitive to any electrical anamoly. This is but one line of protection but it is a big one.
Properly grounding gas lines is also a critical issue.

IMHO, there is a good demand for the service..... so happy customers would indicate to me the validity of installation.

[getdul981]

We had the whole house unit installed at the meter, but pay the $5.95/mo. If you decide to purchase and have a surge and the unit is shot, then you have to replace it yourself for another $300. If you're renting it, Seco replaces it at their expense. $5.95/mo is pretty cheap. They also told me that if we needed more units for inside, to just call. Have not needed to do that yet.

[elevatorman]

Originally Posted by getdul981

We had the whole house unit installed at the meter, but pay the $5.95/mo. If you decide to purchase and have a surge and the unit is shot, then you have to replace it yourself for another $300. If you're renting it, Seco replaces it at their expense. $5.95/mo is pretty cheap. They also told me that if we needed more units for inside, to just call. Have not needed to do that yet.

I was told they would replace it free for ten years if you purchased it and it was shot.

[k2at]

The surge protectors do not protect u from a lightening strike. They protect u from surges in your wiring system.. A lightening strike will take out your house in a heartbeat. However, if ur house suffers from a spike in the line, the surge protector has a good chance of smoothing out the surge. It is a gud idea to install a surge protector, but be sure u understand what protection u r buying.

[ladydoc]

Originally Posted by k2at

The surge protectors do not protect u from a lightening strike. They protect u from surges in your wiring system.. A lightening strike will take out your house in a heartbeat. However, if ur house suffers from a spike in the line, the surge protector has a good chance of smoothing out the surge. It is a gud idea to install a surge protector, but be sure u understand what protection u r buying.

Can you put up a lightening rod in TV?

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by ladydoc

Can you put up a lightening rod in TV?

There are many businesses that sell lightening rod systems. Just make sure they are authorized. There are several posts that discuss the lightening rod installations.

[graciegirl]

I was told this just last week by a fellow, soon to be my new neighbor, that owned a large electrical company. He said if you are going to install lightning rods, install something that will conduct electricity like copper, don't be sold aluminum.