Question on surge protectors
 

Hello all and here comes another question. Since we are new to Florida, this is confusing to us. We called Seco today to get the electric set up in our new home in Lake Deaton. The surge protection is 6 dollars a month to rent plus 25 dollars install fee or 325 dollars to buy with a 15 year warranty. Lenhart has three different levels: 125 with no warranty, 225 with a limited warranty and 325 for a home with large appliances. Does anyone know how to sort the chaff from the wheat here? We are overwhelmed with so many decisions and would truly appreciate any help. All I know is we are bleeding money!

My understanding is if you rent the surge protector from SECO and it blows they will replace it for free. If you buy it from them and it blows you have to buy a new one. We pay the rental fee. Plus when you install the whole house protector
they give you a box of individual protectors for the TVs, computers, etc.

Duh, I installed my own from Home Depot-itcost me less than $75.00 & GE insures losses to $50K

We did this too. We had a very close lightening strike to one side of our house and it caused what we were told was a "rolling black out" throughout the house. One room shut down, followed by another and another, even blew out the irrigation etc. SECO was here IMMEDIATELY, fixed everything, got us up and running and then suggested the surge protectors. They appear to work great. The rental fee appears on your SECO bill so it becomes almost painless.

I purchased mine through SECO, and after 5 years, I will break even in the cost.

Some prefer to pay the $6/month.

Their unit comes with an outlet measuring device in addition to several surge protectors for one's home.

I feel better when I know it's done right. Some people are handy and can save money.

Some things in life aren't worth, skimping on. IMHO

BTW - Another thing about moving to TV, is to keep your checkbook, handy. I feel your pain and I have been here, for awhile. :smiley:

Even though I am very capable and can install my own I rented it from SECO. Why, because I am retired and living the retired lifestyle. :D :D

I would and have gone with the SECO rental, limited impact on your wallet. Next please ignore all of the welcome wagon people and water conditioner/filter people, tree sales people, and in general anyone that comes to your door selling anything that you did not invite. Get into your house, sit back take a deep breath (welcome to the great life), then and only then, start asking questions about water, filters, landscaping, etc, etc, etc. There are lots of people that will be glad to help.

Excellent advice ...........:smiley:

I rent SECO and put individual surge protectors on different electronic items as required. After a lightning strike last year that blew out my sprinkler control I contacted them and they sent out an employee that took my individual surge protector and had it sent to the manufacture for analysis. Results came back that the surge didn't come thru the surge protector but they figured it came thru the water supply line. So.....I'm responsible for the bill of a new controller. I was told many refrigerators are hit and they often say it came thru the water line supplying the ice maker so they aren't responsible.

I like VillageTinkers sensible advice.
We waited a year and a half before installing a surge suppressor and went with the $275. (most expensive) one from Lenhart that mounts at the electrical panel in the garage.
Surge Protection – Lenhart Electric Company

Decided against renting or buying the outdoor meter mounted one from SECO. I liked the equipment Lenhart installed, but thought the installer worked too fast and was careless. I don't think I'll use them again.

Take a breath and worry about some other things first. Like which square are you going to tonight.

I have had several items destroyed by surges at different times. Garage door opener, AC Control board, Computer Modem, and Laptop connected to modem, Reclining Chair Control. I also have a whole house surge protector (Not SECO).

I also had an AC circuit breaker installed by SunCool. Between my warranty for the AC and the surge protector, I did get recompensed for the AC Control Board.

No recompense received for other items. Had the whole house surge protector sent back for analysis and claim was it was not damaged even though items were. They did send me a new surge protector (Upgraded Model).

Important to know that surges can come through phone lines. That is how my modem and computer got zapped.

Surges can also come through cable lines, water lines and who knows what else.

Why do we see more damage now than years ago? Because of microcircuits in just about every thing. Things used to be working on volts and Amps. Today it is Millivolts and Milliamps.

Bottom line is get protection but it does not guarantee replacement for failures. Read the guarantees closely and you might see something like guarantees against power surges caused by power company but not acts of God.

My recommendation would be to get a whole house surge protector and to check with your local hardware store and buy individual surge protectors (Such as SECO provides) for all of your micro circuit devices.

Refridgerator, range, Microwave, washer, dryer, garage door opener, lawn irrigation control, TVs, Computers, printers , modems, routers. Even a thing like a power operated recliner. Some of these devices have multiple protection for power and phone line or cable.

Welcome to Florida You will love it.

Was this for a Service Entry Protection Device? Or something you used at the appliance level to protect a specific piece or pieces of equipment (like a multi-outlet surge protector strip)? I've never seen a Service Entry Device at that price point, by GE or anyone else. If it, indeed, was a Service Entry product, would appreciate the complete spec because that's a great price!

We do not like the term "WHOLE HOUSE" surge protection because it gives the impression that a SECO or Duke surge protector on your electric meter or on your electric panel by an electrician is all you need. This is not correct! Surges can enter your home not only through your electric service but also via telephone and cable/satellite systems. If the lightning strike is near and strong enough it can even be induced into the wiring of your home. Therefore, you need Secondary Surge Protection sometimes called point-of-use (plug ins, power strips) for all of your costly appliances and electronic equipment. Today's electronics have computer chips that are very sensitive to even a relatively minor surge.

These devices can be purchased at hardware, electronic stores, and big box stores. SECO offers them at their Sumterville office or you can purchase them on their web site.


Keep in mind that surge protection is only for INDIRECT lightning strikes. If your concern is a DIRECT lightning strike to your home then you need to consider a lightning protection system commonly called lightning rods by a qualified installer.

I have the rented SECO surge protector and they provided several individual plug in protectors for the tv and computers. $5 per month is fine with me. I also have lightning rods so I do feel pretty safe in a storm.

I also have a 2 iron for added protection against lightning. Golfers understand that humor.

The surge protector I installed is an whole house surge protector
1) it plugs into the panel--must have two empty spaces
2) the white wire goes to the neutral bar
3) replace panel cover