Lightening protection systems

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  #31  
Old 06-28-2021, 07:58 AM
Ritagoyer Ritagoyer is offline
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What about a whole house surge Protector do they work or are lighting rods better?
  #32  
Old 06-28-2021, 08:13 AM
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To answer the question above, no we do not have a LPS system, we do have a whole house lightning protection on the meter and on various pieces of equipment in the house. About 3 years ago there was a close in strike. It appeared to hit a pole in the neighbors back yard. There was several thousands of dollars in damages to neighbors electrical equipment, we had no IMMEDIATE damage, but about 1.5 years later the cable drop to the house failed and had to be replaced, the failure was blamed on the lighting strike.
I have no idea if the neighbors had any protection on their electrical system. All of the damage was to equipment located outside of the house or connected to wiring going outside the house.
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  #33  
Old 06-28-2021, 08:28 AM
HiHoSteveO HiHoSteveO is offline
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Default Lightning Rods or Surge Suppression (or both, or neither) Personal decision.

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Originally Posted by Ritagoyer View Post
What about a whole house surge Protector do they work or are lighting rods better?
It depends on if you get a direct lightning strike or an indirect lightning strike.
Both would be best but would that be overkill?
For me, a surge suppressor installed at the electrical panel in the garage by an electrician was the answer.

Two helpful videos below from "ASK This Old House"

Lightning Rods
Installing Whole House Lightning Protection | Ask This Old House - YouTube

Surge Protection
How to Install Surge Protection | Ask This Old House - YouTube
  #34  
Old 06-28-2021, 08:36 AM
Bob.Betty Bob.Betty is offline
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The odds of your house getting struck by lightning is 1 in 280,000 i've lived in my house for over 30 years and don't know anyone whos house has been hit
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Old 06-28-2021, 08:50 AM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is online now
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What about a whole house surge Protector do they work or are lighting rods better?
Neither. Both are a waste of money. My opinion.
  #36  
Old 06-28-2021, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Ele201 View Post
I’m considering buying in Chitty Chatty, but a little concerned about lightening. There are electrical wires strung above some homes there. Could this be dangerous? Thanks
Wonder if Being closer to power lines may provide some level of risk reduction due to their inert protection (?)
  #37  
Old 06-28-2021, 10:51 AM
Altavia Altavia is offline
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Originally Posted by Bob.Betty View Post
The odds of your house getting struck by lightning is 1 in 280,000 i've lived in my house for over 30 years and don't know anyone whos house has been hit
I'm aware of 6 within 3 mi in 18 Mo...

Been hit twice in 50 yrs myself, replacing all the electronics in a modern homes is expensive and not fun
  #38  
Old 06-28-2021, 12:03 PM
yankygrl yankygrl is offline
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Originally Posted by Bob.Betty View Post
The odds of your house getting struck by lightning is 1 in 280,000 i've lived in my house for over 30 years and don't know anyone whos house has been hit
In the past week I know or have heard of 4 houses that have been struck. Most were lucky and the house didn’t burn down. We live in the lightening capital of USA
  #39  
Old 06-28-2021, 12:12 PM
Stu from NYC Stu from NYC is offline
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Neither. Both are a waste of money. My opinion.
Why do you think they are a waste of money?
  #40  
Old 06-28-2021, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Phpb2 View Post
Temperature of lightening? 50,000 degrees! Copper melts at 1984 degrees! Save ur money!
Please understand that a cloud-to-ground lightning strike to a lightning protection system only lasts a milisecond as the charge is harmlessly being shunted to the driven ground rods.
  #41  
Old 06-28-2021, 12:26 PM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is online now
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Originally Posted by Stu from NYC View Post
Why do you think they are a waste of money?
Lightning protection is expensive, and damage from lightning is extremely unlikely. A whole house surge protector will not prevent lightning damage, and, if you read the warranty, it basically excludes almost everything that it is designed to protect. Homeowners insurance will cover most damage from lightning and electrical surges.
  #42  
Old 06-28-2021, 01:47 PM
Altavia Altavia is offline
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Originally Posted by retiredguy123 View Post
Lightning protection is expensive, and damage from lightning is extremely unlikely. A whole house surge protector will not prevent lightning damage, and, if you read the warranty, it basically excludes almost everything that it is designed to protect. Homeowners insurance will cover most damage from lightning and electrical surges.
Testing shows if you do both, the effectiveness of the combination is good.

Nothing is perfect, the idea of to reduce the severity and risk.

It's not much more expensive ($1-2 K depending on home size) than my deductable. The time and inconvenience of making a claim is huge. Making a claim can get you cancelled.

Adding protection to a home with metallic gas lines in the attic is a no brainier...
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lightening, protection, installing, prior, required

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