Power surge protection for cable/coax?
 

Hi all,

Is anyone using RG6 surge protectors on their cable(s) coming into the home? These are units that screw into the cable between the cable box (or cable modem) and the cable coming into the room to prevent the box or modem from being fried. If so, has this affected your internet speed or cable TV reception or not?

Amazon.com

Thanks!

Those are fine or you can use this at the main splitter.
Amazon.com

They all use gas discharge tube technology. This one allows you to replace the gas discharge tube if it ever fails.

Comcast installed one in the low voltage panel when they replaced the cable a couple of years ago. I did not look at the Amazon devices previously mentioned. I have had problems with some electrical type devices from Amazon (splices, crimp connectors, coax connectors, etc.) that were VERY CHEAP and failed when installed, therefore I now get these type devices from known suppliers, Jameco, Digikey, etc. to name a few.

Good advise!

There should be a green grounding wire in your low voltage box. The units you linked to appear to not have a connection for ground. Here is what I use and have recommended. Rated better than what the cable companies install. Install it in the low voltage box where the cable comes into the house. No need to add any at each component in the home.

Siemens FirstSurge Coaxial Cable Protection Device

In this case, you do get what you pay for.

Data Sheet

Great suggestion!

Thanks!

I upgraded to fiber via Quantum so I don't need one for cable. Mine comes into the house as fiber, through the house as fiber and then Wifi. When I had cable, a neighbor two houses up from me got hit by lightening and it blew out my TV, modem, Cat6 adapter in my desktop computer and a new DVD player. By the way, SECO's whole house surge protector and the receptacle surge protector didn't save them. SECO said their protection did not cover those type of electronics; only items with electronic motors in the home. TV was still under warranty and was fixed within days, the modem was replaced by the internet provider, but the DVD player went into the trash and I had to add a new Cat6 card to the desktop computer. I still use surge protectors for items connected to the wall receptacles, but I have a certain peace of mind that I won't get a surge through my fiber optic cable. And NO, my fiber does not connect to my home cable system. It is really fiber into the house and all the way to the converter box located on the wall in my office. Then it goes to the modem/router by cat6/7 cable from the fiber converter box, which I can't remember the proper name for. We are what some call the lightening capital of the country, so I am more concerned for any strikes in my attic where the gas line comes into the house.

Optical Network Terminator ONT.

Fiber is best or many reasons if it's available in your Village.

This appears to be discontinued - do you know of a place that sells them or can you recommend an alternative from Siemens?

From Amazon:
Amazon.com
Amazon.com

That is a shame. It was the best one available.

You might try here or Here

And eBay has a used one. eBay

My second choice would be Eaton Surge Protection Protects 2 Quad Shield Cables

Be sure to ground it with the green grounding wire that should be in your low voltage cabinet. Both of these are name brand units.

I just want to point out, if you think you got a power surge from your cable line, the surge can spread from your cable connected devices such as your cable box, modem and or TV to the electrical system in your home. Only a surge protector installed at your circuit breaker panel such as the Eaton Ultra, (call Lenhart Electric to get this installed), will stop the surge from spreading to the rest of your home. We had an event recently where the homeowner claimed they got a surge from the cable line that no only destroyed a couple of TVs, Modem, and other cable connected devices but it also destroyed some appliances and the power supply for their under counter lights. Every time we get a severe storm, over the next couple of days we always hear of induced power surges and damage and the homeowners never have enough surge protection to avoid these unfortunate events. Installing these surge protectors at the circuit breaker panel is the first line of defense. The Seco surge protector installed at the meter is necessary for a layered approach but it's main purpose is managing surges coming from the power lines.

I agree with your recommendations.

How did the homeowner know lighting hit the cable line?

It seems more likely widesspread damage could have been EMP related ?

Also a reason to have protection at key devices.

I have no idea how they know that the surge came through the cable line given all the diverse damage done to the electronics, lights, and appliances in the home.

You should already have one installed in your low voltage cabinet in the garage. If not then get xfinity/Spectrum to install it.