[dietpepsi]

if you have a lightning aresstor on ur meter provided by the electric company have u had to get it replaced due it being hit with strikes? do you have some damage even with it in place?

[NavyNJ]

Originally Posted by dietpepsi

if you have a lightning aresstor on ur meter provided by the electric company have u had to get it replaced due it being hit with strikes? do you have some damage even with it in place?

Just to clarify a bit....the device that SECO (and many other power cos. in the US) installs for a monthly rental fee, or purchase, is not a "lightning arrestor", but rather a Service Entry Surge Suppressor. It is not any more likely to get hit by a lightning strike that any other part of your house.

Now, if your question actually refers to how well this device protects sensitive electronic devices from power surges (regardless of source), it all depends. Mainly, the more sensitive the electronics, the more likely they will suffer damage even with this device. However, most professionals recommend that you also add "device level" surge surpression (surge protector or surge strip) in addition to the outside meter-level surpression. And others might even suggest a Main Entry Panel "Whole House" Surge Device in addition to the other two. So you have quite a bit to consider. But....the SECO device is a good, inexpensive, start! Good luck!!

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, the entry surge protector is a waste of money. Use inexpensive power strips where you plug in electronic equipment.

[dietpepsi]

seems like the jury is devided ,,, but i think i might just error on the side of caution

[retiredguy123]

Just to clarify, a surge protector has nothing to do with lightning or safety. It only protects your electronic equipment from damage due to an unexpected power surge. A whole house surge protector is less effective than a simple ten dollar power strip located where you plug in the equipment. Also, power surges are less likely to occur now than ever before because of the more reliable and consistent power company service. If you really want to protect your house from lightning, you would need to install lightning rods on the roof connected to a wiring system that goes into the ground. Totally unnecessary, in my opinion.

[rde3036]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

In my opinion, the entry surge protector is a waste of money. Use inexpensive power strips where you plug in electronic equipment.

Power strips do not protect electronic equipment from power surges.

[HiHoSteveO]

Valuable information in these two links


This Old House
Surge Protection | This Old House

"ASK" This Old House
Ask TOH | Surge Protectors, Cutting Stone | This Old House

[villagetinker]

In order to provide some level of protection to electronic devices in your house, the protection device (cord, strip, socket, etc.) MUST have a UL 1449 label on it. As mentioned above simple extension cords or spike strips have a UL extension cord label and provide NO protection.
Also as mentioned above, if you get the SECO protection package, you get the adapter at the meter, and around 5 or 6 plug in protectors for various devices in the house. This protection is effective if your neighbors house, a close by pole or tree gets hit by lightning. In those cases, the surge typically comes in by the power lines and these devices will typically suppress the surge.
If your house get struck, I agree with the above, the protection will not help, and I am not sure how well a lightning protection system will help. (I am sure there will be lots of additional opinions on this.)
IMHO, I protect for the nearby lightning strike which has the much higher probability then for the direct strike.

If you get nothing else from this discussion, bottom line (aka cheap) "protection" devices may offer little of no protection at all, make sure your devices are labeled UL1449.

[Chatbrat]

I installed a whole house surge protector in my breaker panel-took ten minutes-bough a GE surge proctor from Home Depot--it will work in the panels used in the villages
need the following;
1) 2 free spaces in the panel (must be full spaces and above each other) (NOT ACROSS)

2) remove the panel cover,

3)remove two twist outs that cover the space you will plug the surge protector into

4) plug the protector in

5)attach the free wire to the neutral bar

6)replace the panel cover

If you're not comfortable working inside of a panel--turn off all the breakers including the main

7) close the main & then put the individual breakers one @ time

[Lightning]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Just to clarify, a surge protector has nothing to do with lightning or safety. It only protects your electronic equipment from damage due to an unexpected power surge. A whole house surge protector is less effective than a simple ten dollar power strip located where you plug in the equipment. Also, power surges are less likely to occur now than ever before because of the more reliable and consistent power company service. If you really want to protect your house from lightning, you would need to install lightning rods on the roof connected to a wiring system that goes into the ground. Totally unnecessary, in my opinion.

Be wary of the term "whole house surge protection". You may be protected from INDIRECT lightning with the SECO surge protection device on the electric meter but there is always the chance that some voltage will get through that will be enough to fry your electronics. You need secondary point-of-use protection on anything you value like computers, TVs, microwave, refrig, tele ans machine, garage door operators, etc. Be sure that the cable for TVs and telephone lines for computers also goes though a surge protection device. Remember Lightning Loves Technology!

If your concern is a less frequent but more sever DIRECT strike to your home consider a lightning protection system, commonly called lighting rods, from a qualified installer. To date this year we have not had any homes destroyed by lightning. In 2015 we had four and in 2014 we had three. The decision to provide lightning rods should be based on your tolerance for risk. Apparently, you have a high tolerance for risk and have chosen not to install them. The odds of being struck is very very low. However, if you have a low tolerance for risk you install them for peace of mind for the safety of your family, your pets, your home, your possessions, and your vehicles.

[retiredguy123]

I still say that whole house surge protectors and lighting rods are a waste of money. Any damage would be covered by your homeowners insurance less the deductible. I know this is off the subject, but some other ways to waste money include home warranties or any other extended warranties, reverse mortgages, duct cleaning, timeshares, annuities, and any life insurance other than term life.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I still say that whole house surge protectors and lighting rods are a waste of money. Any damage would be covered by your homeowners insurance less the deductible. I know this is off the subject, but some other ways to waste money include home warranties or any other extended warranties, reverse mortgages, duct cleaning, timeshares, annuities, and any life insurance other than term life.

Let the chips fall where they may, so to speak.

[Pointer]

As someone who had to deal with a house whose power line was hit by lightning I can attest to the ability of a good surge protector to help. Anything that wasn't on one was fried. Needless to say replacing everything took some doing and almost a year before all was said and done. Each item had to be inspected by a licensed professional and a replacement had to be on the premiss before a check for everything was finally issued, and that was after the deductible was reached. I now have both the surge protector on the meter and on each electronic. Hopefully the one at the meter will help with the light fixtures and switches should I get hit again.