[Dotneko]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

I know I'm being picky, but can we please use the word:

LIGHTNING when referring to an electrical storm; and

LIGHTENING when referring to what Michael Jackson did to his face

Thank you! It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up to read people pontificating on lightning when they cannot even spell it correctly.

How many houses have rods? 1 in 50 or less? Too small of a sample size to prove their efficacy to me. My house hasnt been hit and it is green - maybe the green paint works as protection? By all means, though, keep selling those systems.....It looks like there is some agenda here to me.

[FredMitchell]

There are roughly 1400 homes per square mile in The Villages. Ocala has 530. The Villages has roughly 50% more homes.

So a lightning strike is almost 3 times as likely to hit a home in The Villages. One could reasonably expect 50% more home strikes per year in TV.

This does not argue for or against installing LPS. It only explains why you are more likely to hear about strikes in TV.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Dotneko

Thank you! It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up to read people pontificating on lightning when they cannot even spell it correctly.

How many houses have rods? 1 in 50 or less? Too small of a sample size to prove their efficacy to me. My house hasnt been hit and it is green - maybe the green paint works as protection? By all means, though, keep selling those systems.....It looks like there is some agenda here to me.

The "agenda" is simple. Create awareness on the subject so Villager's can make an informed decision based on their tolerance for risk.

I know I've mentioned this before. I've spoken to several Villagers who's homes were severly damaged by lightning, who had no idea of this risk here in Central Florida. Most told me they would have appreciated this information. I also can tell you there are many here in the Villages that feel as you do, but in most cases, as soon as a neighbor's home is significantly damaged or destroyed, they run out and order a system.

As far as surge protection, so many Villagers installed the Eaton Ultra or PSP Vortex, when speaking to my electrician contact, they said they ran out of these devices for a while last year there was so much demand.

So, all this said, Villagers are getting awareness and making whatever decisions they feel are good for them and their family and that's a good thing.

[Heytubes]

Could also be that most homes now have metal studs. Just a tongue in cheek observation.

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by mrf6969

Why is it that not one home here in The Villages with LPS, Lightening Protection System, has not been damaged by lightening? (Notice I did not say hit by lightning.)

Any chance someone can translate the above?

[Rocksnap]

My observation following these LPS forums. Lightning has a mind of its own. It strikes when and where it wants to strike. Having a LPS, or not, seems to NOT matter when/where/damage from a strike that may occur. It appears your house will have a higher chance of surviving a lightning strike, with a LPS installed. Tho it does not/will not guarantee no damage. As it seems the structure will survive better, tho the electrical system may still take a hit.
No whole house surge protection will help with a direct hit on the dwelling, as a direct strike has bypassed those devices, and may still fry them on a direct house strike as the electricity try’s to back feed out of the house.
Bottom line? For me, I will have a house LPS installed by next rainy season. While a direct lightning strike may cause issues with plugged in equipment, a LPS seems to at least help in not getting catastrophic damage to the dwelling. Catastrophic damage usually leave you homeless while insurance takes their time, then finding a reputable builder to actually FIX the damage.
I will not get the Ring, as a new build already has a whole house surge protection device already installed by Code. I will be installing a point of use surge protection on all expensive devices plugged in. TV’s, refrigerator, oven, washer/dryer, water system, the HVAC will have its own surge protection on its outdoor electrical box.
Clear as mud, I know.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by jrref

The "agenda" is simple. Create awareness on the subject so Villager's can make an informed decision based on their tolerance for risk.

I know I've mentioned this before. I've spoken to several Villagers whose homes were severly damaged by lightning, who had no idea of this risk here in Central Florida.

As far as surge protection, so many Villagers installed the Eaton Ultra or PSP Vortex, when speaking to my electrician contact, they said they ran out of these devices for a while last year there was so much demand..

My guess is those you have spoken with no prior knowledge of weather in Florida, must have lived in states with extremely low weather events. Or never traveled to parks during summer breaks.

We didn’t live in tornado alley yet 15+ tornadoes could devastate neighborhoods every summer.
Straight winds of 80-100mph does just as much havoc.
Lightning/thunder storms were abundant striking homes with Gas, trees, and starting fires.

I can’t imagine moving to any state permanently and not do any kind of research.

As far as lack of Eaton or PSP Vortex last year, because of high demand was that just the electrician you recommended or total wipe out in all the state of FL.

How does the low inventory warning of 2024 equate to 2025?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by mraines

I am still not sold on these systems. Why is it there are so many homes struck here in The Villages? I have a friend in Ocala and I'm not aware of this many strikes there.

You can go to “live lightning and see where lightning strikes just as many when lightning thunderstorm over Ocala or anywhere else.

Real Time Lightning Map :: LightningMaps.org

[MrLindy]

The statement concerning "No Lightning Protection in the Villages" is NOT correct!

Many homes DO HAVE Lightning protection installed. Look on/at the roof tops on homes - and you see those with protection will usually have small rods located usually on the corners and other points along the roof.

There is a local company that install the systems - and they are certified by a National Lightning Rod association.

Also, SURGE protection is NOT the same thing as Lightning protection.

You may consider calling "Triangle Lightning Protection" at: (352) 483-7020 to see if they may help you.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by MrLindy

The statement concerning "No Lightning Protection in the Villages" is NOT correct!

Many homes DO HAVE Lightning protection installed. Look on/at the roof tops on homes - and you see those with protection will usually have small rods located usually on the corners and other points along the roof.

...

There's also is extensive lightning protection across The Villages as required by Florida building code for critical infrastructure, major commercial and public facilities:

* Pumping stations,
* Fire headquarters, fire stations not in metal buildings,
* Most building in Lake Sumter Landing,
* The Sharon,
* Savannah Center,
* Glenview and Lopez CC,
* Hospitals,
* Independent living facilities,
* Major churches,
* Schools,
* Hotels,
* SECO & Duke substations,
* Middleton and Eastport (?),
* and probably more.

These facilities have likely been struck many times by lightning with no critical damage. Len Hathaway stated a Federal Aviation Administration study showed that the Tampa control tower recorded 25,000 lightning strikes with no damage. The Orlando control tower experienced 20,000 lightning strikes with the loss of one telephone line.

Florida building code includes the following:

Section 2703 Lightning Protection

2703.1 Lightning Protection. A lightning protection system shall be provided for all new buildings and additions in accordance with NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, UL 96A, Installation Requirements for Lightning Requirement, HBP-21 or other alternative equivalent standard for the installation of lightning protection systems.

2703.2 Where additions are constructed to existing building, the existing building’s lightning protection system, if connected to the new lightning protection system, shall be inspected and brought into compliance with current standards.

2703.3 Surge protection devices shall be installed for all normal and emergency electrical systems in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.

Exceptions:

1. One- and two-family dwellings

2. Lightning protection shall not be required for any building or addition where shown unnecessary by evaluation using the Risk Assessment Guide in NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems or an alternative method approved by the authority having jurisdiction.