SECO Surge Protector
 

Before I call them, would there be a way to know if I already have it installed?

(a new resident)

Easiest way is to call Seco and have them check the history on your address.
I believe there is a red light on side of meter that indicates a surge protector is installed.

Look at your electric meter on the outside of your house. The surge protector will be installed between the round meter and the rectangular metal box. It is cylindrical, the same shape as the meter, and causes the meter to extend about 2 inches further out from the box. It will also have a few red lights on it. If you are not sure, walk around the neighborhood and compare the appearance of your meter to other meters. Also, if you are renting the surge protector, there will be a $5.95 per month charge on your electric bill. I know others will disagree, but in my opinion, the surge protector is a waste of money.

I had one installed when we build. Ours is right under the utility box in the garage.

Why do you think they are a waste of money? Figure stopping the surge before it gets inside my house is a good thing.

There are other threads on this topic, with various opinions. Even SECO recommends installing point of use surge protectors. Their website says, "Members should consider the purchase of point-of-use devices to protect sensitive electronics such as computers and televisions." Also, their warranty was apparently written by a team of lawyers who are trying to exclude just about every type of damage you could experience. The power company is already spending millions of dollars to provide a consistent surge free service to your house. If a $300 device is really needed to prevent surges, why don't they build it into their electric service in the first place? I think it is just another way to increase profits. That is my opinion. But, if people think it is good, then they should buy it. I would rather depend on my homeowners insurance, which covers surge related damage. It would be interesting to see how much profit they make on these devices after paying the claims for damage.

Interesting

I started a thread on it a few months ago and after reading the opinions had Seco install it. Also put in a number of point of use protectors as well.

Figured the more protection the better given all the electrical storms we have during the summer. Who knew?

No idea how hard it would be to actually collect on their warranty but putting a claim in our homeowners insurance will probably mean a large increase on next renewal.

Completely agree. I paid for 6 years and got a lightening strike. Lost over $2,000 worth of electrical items. They refused to pay for anything because they said the strike didn't go through their lines. Had it removed last week.

Surge Protector...................Not: Lightening Protector.

Nothing will help with a lightening hit.

I agree. But, that is not what the SECO sales pitch says. They claim that their surge protector will protect against lightning, but only if the lightning hits the wire between the nearest transformer and your meter and causes a surge in your power. Highly unlikely because the wires are underground. But, if it does happen, you may need a lawyer and an engineer to read the warranty coverage and try to understand all of the things that are excluded from coverage.

Here is the exclusion............

Under no circumstances will MTI guarantee performance due to a lightning strike not carried down the utility power lines and through the utility transformer and then the SPD to the residence.

FYI, here is what the warranty doesn't cover. Apparently, it doesn't cover damage to your electrical system or to your computers, televisions, security systems, or anything with a microchip or processor. I think most appliances have a microchip. What's left to be covered?

D. What Does This Warranty Not Cover? This warranty shall not
apply to any defect, failure, damage caused by improper installation,
improper use, or inadequate maintenance or care. MTI shall not be
obligated to furnish service under this warranty (a) to repair damage
resulting from connection to incompatible equipment; or (b) to service
a SPD that has been modified, altered or integrated with other
products when such modification, alteration, or integration increases
the time or difficulty of servicing the SPD. This warranty excludes (a)
bodily injury to persons, (b) defects caused by or damages resulting
from operation of the SPD under conditions exceeding MTI’s
published SPD specifications, such as continuous steady over-
voltages as a result of power delivery system damage or flaws, (c)
structural damage (d) damages to the electrical system including but
not limited to wiring, electrical outlets, breaker panels, and meter
sockets, (e) electric cars; (f) solar panels and solar equipment; (g)
elevators and elevator equipment; (h) damages to all wells, well
pumps and supplementary well pump equipment (i) generators and
any damages caused by an on-site backup generator, (j) damages
caused by negligence in the use of the SPD or (k) any damages
caused by a defective SPD other than physical damage to Standard
Residential Equipment. Under no circumstances will MTI guarantee
performance due to a lightning strike not carried down the utility power
lines and through the utility transformer and then the SPD to the
residence.
This warranty excludes all stand-alone “electronic equipment”
using microchip, microprocessor or transistor technology, such as but
not limited to computers, televisions, DVD Players/Recorders and
Security Systems.
Notwithstanding any other term of the warranty, in no event
is medical and/or life support equipment covered under this
warranty.
MTI shall only be liable to pay those damages incurred which are
covered under this Warranty and for which you have not recovered or
do not intend to recover from a third party or insurance carrier. In no
event shall you be entitled to a “double recovery”.
Any and all possible subrogation claims which may be made by a
homeowner’s insurance company are hereby waived. Homeowner
expressly acknowledges this provision and intends for its insurance
company to be bound by this subrogation prohibition.

so buy a whole house surge protector, and forget about it. having all those protectors laying around the house on the floor collecting dust is a pain in the azz. if the exclusions is like a pill with 50 potential side effects including death, why buy it?

The whole house surge protector may not cover many of the stand alone electronics in the house.
In my opinion they are very limited to things like major appliances (if I remember right).
Look their coverage up on line to completely understand what is covered (and as important or more....what is not covered).
I personally think the term "whole house" surge protection is somewhat mis-leading.
Based on what I recollect from several years ago.

See Post No. 12. If your major appliance has a microchip, micro processor, or transistor, it is not covered by SECO. I could be wrong, but I think almost everything you plug in today has some type of electronics. If so, I can't figure out what the warranty covers.