| montagnard1969 |
01-18-2022 07:05 PM |
Surge Protection Equipment
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.
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