[Oakley]

We are new to The Villages from Illinois and keep hearing a common them about power surges. Our electric is through Seco and they offer a meter based surge arrester.

Does anyone have a surge arrester on their meter, or have any suggestions/opinions concerning power surges?

Thank You

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Oakley

We are new to The Villages from Illinois and keep hearing a common them about power surges. Our electric is through Seco and they offer a meter based surge arrester.

Does anyone have a surge arrester on their meter, or have any suggestions/opinions concerning power surges?

Thank You

Yes. We had SECO install one on our house last year. Its still a good idea to use point of use surge protectors for tv's, computers, etc. We went with the meter based surge protector since we wanted our pool equipment covered as well.

[wdonze]

We have DITEK surge protection installed in the breaker panel. We got it from Galaxy Electric as they were the ones who wired our home when it was built. In Oct '14 it cost $575 installed. I don't know if it is still true now, but the time the SECO solution was a monthly charge. I chose to pay once and be done with it. You still need the surge-protected power strips for stuff like your PC, TV, etc.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by photo1902

Yes. We had SECO install one on our house last year. Its still a good idea to use point of use surge protectors for tv's, computers, etc. We went with the meter based surge protector since we wanted our pool equipment covered as well.

Completely agree. Do all these things immediately.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Oakley

We are new to The Villages from Illinois and keep hearing a common them about power surges. Our electric is through Seco and they offer a meter based surge arrester.

Does anyone have a surge arrester on their meter, or have any suggestions/opinions concerning power surges?

Thank You

Surge Protection – SECO Energy

I elected to rent mine. If it takes a hit it's toast. I'll rent another one. Still use point of use protection as well.

[ggnlars]

Agree with CWGUY. The reason for it is any power outage can cause a surge that will fry the electronics in the house, stoves, refrigerators etc. These are not likely to have a local surge protector in place. A series of pulses can cause the failure as well.
The proper size protector is put in the circuit of things like TVs, DVRs computers etc. These you want to have live all the time, so you can not use the ultimate surge protection. Even with all of this, items of high value that do not require constant power should be given the ultimate surge protection: Unplugged from source except when in use.
A direct hit will likely wipe everything out. Lightning in the area tends to pulse the power in the lines. A similar pulse happens with a shut down or start up of power. These are the most likely and the whole house unit will handle these.

[Madelaine Amee]

We took a lightening strike late in the evening. We had what SECO called a rolling blackout. Gradually, over a period of hours, everything in the house went down. SECO were amazing. We now have surge protectors on everything, ours are rented from SECO.

[Ecuadog]

I suggest that if you have cable, use some kind of coaxial cable surge protection too. It is also part of some of the larger point-of-use electrical surge protectors. I have lost a computer and a television to a lightning ground strike that found its way in through the cable.

[MikeV]

We use SECO installed surge protection. We opted to rent it.

[Chatbrat]

I'm retired electrical contractor--all you have to do is buy a compatible 2 pole surge protector that will plug into your panel--it takes the space that a typical 2 pole circuit breaker does and one wire is connected to the neutral bar--a very simple installation--approx $50=$65 and you get $25k -$50k protection-- it does the same thing that SECO 's unit does--any good handyman or a neighbor who is comfortable & knows how to replace a circuit breaker can install it

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, it is a waste of money. It will not protect against a lightning strike to your house. You need lightning rods for that. If you have major damage to electrical equipment, it would be covered by homeowners insurance. Most people don't have whole house surge protectors because they don't need them. I have never had one, and have never had damage due to a power surge. Use power strips to plug in electronics.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

I'm retired electrical contractor--all you have to do is buy a compatible 2 pole surge protector that will plug into your panel--it takes the space that a typical 2 pole circuit breaker does and one wire is connected to the neutral bar--a very simple installation--approx $50=$65 and you get $25k -$50k protection-- it does the same thing that SECO 's unit does--any good handyman or a neighbor who is comfortable & knows how to replace a circuit breaker can install it

Does it do the same as the one in post #3 that Galaxy Electric ( an electrical contractor ) charged $575 for? How do you know you are protected? Does it have a red LED light like the SECO protector?

[Chatbrat]

Yes- go on line and check out surge protectors , mine has a green light -- not bad $575. for a $50-$75.00 item--go to the home depot & check out panel surge protectors

Basically you're paying for an insurance policy from the device manufacturer

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

Yes- go on line and check out surge protectors , mine has a green light -- not bad $575. for a $50-$75.00 item--go to the home depot & check out panel surge protectors

Basically you're paying for an insurance policy from the device manufacturer

Thanks.

Now, what is the GREEN LIGHT I see on the 220 disconnect for outside A/C units. Is it surge protection for the unit? Does it come with the disconnect or is it an add on?

[HiHoSteveO]

To the OP, if you do a search (above) here for "surge suppression" many threads will appear that also discuss all this.

Having surge suppression is probably a good idea.

Here's a short video to help (I hope).
Protect Your Home From Dangerous Lightning Strikes!

Last year I went for the electrical circuit panel mounted type installed by Lenhart Electric. I got the best one they offer which was $275. installed. Also use individual point of use for microwave, irrigation timer, TV, etc.
Surge Protection - Lenhart Electric Company

Maybe someday will "buy" the SECO meter mounted one but haven't done so yet.