[jrref]

Given the unusually large number of lightning strikes and power surge events in the past weeks here in the Villages, many are seeking information on the subject. The Villages Lightning Study Group which Len Hathaway leads gives presentations on Lightning and Surge Protection all through the year at club meetings, special meetings organized by local residents interested in lightning and at the POA meetings. There is no way to reach every Villager to present the facts on the subject so here is the link to the POA meeting since it was recorded. It will explain all the information about lightning and surge protection by knowledgeable experts and the problems with the flexible gas lines used many years ago and what to do about it. I just want to mention, if you are considering whole house surge protection which I strongly feel is necessary for every home here in the Villages, Lenhart Electric is offering a special discount which will expire shortly to install the Eaton Ultra surge protector at your circuit breaker panel. This is Different than the Seco surge protector that most have installed at the Meter. The Seco protector is mainly designed to protect against large power surges coming from the power lines which statistically occur 20% of the time vs the Eaton Ultra mounted at the circuit breaker panel which is designed to block and manage all other power surges which statistically occur 80% of the time. If you are thinking about surge protection, I would schedule an appointment. Other electricians can install surge protection as well if you feel more comfortable with someone you have been using over the years but the message is to get it installed because there will come a day where lightning strikes near your home causing an induced power surge that can cause a lot of damage to your appliances and electronic equipment. This happens way more than you would think and is not generally publicized. The recent lightning strike at Sunset Pointe where the fire resulting from the strike was so intense that the fire department had to back away is around 900 ft from Len's home. He has the layered surge protection system we are recommending and had No damage from the event whereas other neighbors did have some damage even ones with the Seco protector.

If you decide to get a lightning protection system installed by a company other than A1 or Triangle, make sure of the following: 1) They should install 3 to 4 ,10 ft ground rods for a typical home here in the Villages and should provide you a written report of the "resistance readings" typially in ohms for each rod. Each rod should be 25 ohms or less. The smaller the reading the better. If they don't get these readings, they should be willing to drive the rods down 20 or even 30 ft in some extreme cases to get these readings. If you don't have good grounding the system won't work properly. If you have an existing or new LPS system you can reach out to me to check your ground rods. 2) Typically they should offer you an all copper system unless you request aluminum. For some people with light covered roofs, aluminum may be better because the rods and connecting cables will blend-in with the roof. All materials used should be UL Certified, (this usually isn't a problem). 3) Every lightning rod or air terminal must have at least two paths to the ground rods. Ask for a drawing of the lightning rod and ground cables for your specific installation. 4) Check to see how long the company has been in business. You want to use a company that's going to be there in case you need serivce. This is just what comes to mind as the most important items you need to check. I'm sure there are other companies who will do a good job but since the industry isn't regulated you want to check some of these items.

https://youtu.be/IJMLyywdB0A?t=1831

[Altavia]

Good info and guidance, thanks for sharing!

I'll add surge protection is now required per the electrical code for new builds.

The manufacturer of CCST gas lines now recommend a LPS for lightening prone areas.

[pikeselectric]

Type 2 surge protection, such as the Eaton Ultra, is one of the most important ways to secure your home's valuable major appliances, equipment, and electronics. We, at Pike's Electric, also install the Eaton Ultra, CHSPT2ULTRA. We have them heavily available and in stock. If you call us, we offer a Talk of The Villages discount when you call in to schedule.
I look forward to talking more about this device for anyone that is interested.
Casandra at Pike's Electric
(352)748-6251
cnelson@pikeselectric.com

[thelegges]

Have to admit I don’t worry about something that may or may not happen. While in Michigan we had tornados we could watch from the basement behind our home for more times than I can count. Our daughter’s neighborhood was hit with Twin tornadoes, that leveled 200 trees, houses, taking rescues 6 hours to gain entrance because of road being blocked by 100 year old Oaks.
After she said “ well I didn’t like the color of siding or roof, or those 6 giant oaks in the back yard.” Time to pick new colors and Mom can you put sheets in 4 bedrooms, we coming for a visit.

Weather just has to be taken in stride, worry shouldn’t consume your mind, that may never happen.

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Good info and guidance, thanks for sharing!

I'll add surge protection is now required per the electrical code for new builds.

The manufacturer of CCST gas lines now recommend a LPS for lightening prone areas.

Hi Altavia, you are correct. A "form" of surge protection is currently required for new construction builds per the NEC Code in effect as of 1/1/24. Thus, we are using a smaller surge in construction called the BRPSurge made by Eaton.
This unit does not have the extensive warranty, like the Ultra does (Limited Lifetime $75,000 coverage in connected equipment). The BRPSurge is a 1 year warranty only. Thus, if anyone in new build homes in The Villages such as Lake Denham, Moultrie Creek, and previous Villages such as Citrus Grove, Hawkins, Cason Hammock, Hammock at Fenney, etc. These customers should highly consider getting the Ultra if they do not have any protection at all or if they are reaching just after their 1 year Villages warranty, to consider the installation to get the best coverage available.

- Casandra, Pike's Electric

[LeoBJ]

jrref,

What is your opinion of Siemens' FSPD140?

Thanks!
Leo

[Altavia]

[///[

[mrrmauu]

Originally Posted by jrref

Given the unusually large number of lightning strikes and power surge events in the past weeks here in the Villages, many are seeking information on the subject. The Villages Lightning Study Group which Len Hathaway leads gives presentations on Lightning and Surge Protection all through the year at club meetings, special meetings organized by local residents interested in lightning and at the POA meetings. There is no way to reach every Villager to present the facts on the subject so here is the link to the POA meeting since it was recorded. It will explain all the information about lightning and surge protection by knowledgeable experts and the problems with the flexible gas lines used many years ago and what to do about it. I just want to mention, if you are concidering whole house surge protection which I strongly feel is necessary for every home here in the Villages, Lenhart Electric is offering a special discount which will expire shortly to install the Eaton Ultra surge protector at your circuit breaker panel. This is Different than the Seco surge protector that most have installed at the Meter. The Seco protector is mainly designed to protect against large power surges coming from the power lines which statistically occur 20% of the time vs the Eaton Ultra mounted at the circuit breaker panel which is designed to block and manage all other power surges which statistically occur 80% of the time. If you are thinking about surge protection, I would schedule an appointment. Other electricians can install surge protection as well if you feel more comfortable with someone you have been using over the years but the message is to get it installed because there will come a day where lightning strikes near your home causing an induced power surge that can cause a lot of damage to your appliances and electronic equipment. This happens way more than you would think and is not generally publicized. The recent lightning strike at Sunset Pointe where the fire resulting from the strike was so intense that the fire department had to back away is around 900 ft from Len's home. He has the layered surge protection system we are recommending and had No damage from the event whereas other neighbors did have some damage even ones with the Seco protector.

If you decide to get a lightning protection system installed by a company other than A1 or Triangle, make sure of the following: 1) They should install 3 to 4 ,10 ft ground rods for a typical home here in the Villages and should provide you a written report of the "resistance readings" typially in ohms for each rod. Each rod should be 25 ohms or less. The smaller the reading the better. If they don't get these readings, they should be willing to drive the rods down 20 or even 30 ft in some extreem cases to get these readings. If you don't have good grounding the system won't work properly. If you have an existing or new LPS system you can reach out to me to check your ground rods for a very small fee. 2) Typically they should offer you a all copper system unless you request aluminum. For some people with light covered roofs, aluminum may be better because the rods and connecting cables will blend-in with the roof. All materials used should be UL Certified, (this usually isn't a problem). 3) Every lightning rod or air terminal must have at least two paths to the ground rods. Ask for a drawing of the lightning rod and ground cables for your specific installation. 4) Check to see how long the company has been in business. You want to use a company that's going to be there in case you need serivce. This is just what comes to mind as the most important items you need to check. I'm sure there are other companies who will do a good job but since the industry isn't regulated you want to check some of these items.

https://youtu.be/IJMLyywdB0A?t=1831

Thank you for the detailed info! Do A1 and Triangle install the wire that connects the lightening rods in the attic or outside on the roof? I watched a video from “This Old House” and they showed the wire in the attic which is much more atheistic and better when the roof needs to be replaced. Also, they said in sandy soil such as what we have in Florida, the rods should be driven 20’ deep. Thanks.

[Ignatz]

I may have missed it in the thread but does a LPS system work in concert with the Eaton Ultra surge protector or does it eliminate the need for it?

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Ignatz

I may have missed it in the thread but does a LPS system work in concert with the Eaton Ultra surge protector or does it eliminate the need for it?

Both are recomended for complete risk reduction

The LPS can be thought of as acting as a "shield" dissipating a lightening strike that could be headed towards a structure around that structure.

The surge protector dissipates surge currents induced by an indirect nearby strike or into the powerlines.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Have to admit I don’t worry about something that may or may not happen. While in Michigan we had tornados we could watch from the basement behind our home for more times than I can count. Our daughter’s neighborhood was hit with Twin tornadoes, that leveled 200 trees, houses, taking rescues 6 hours to gain entrance because of road being blocked by 100 year old Oaks.
After she said “ well I didn’t like the color of siding or roof, or those 6 giant oaks in the back yard.” Time to pick new colors and Mom can you put sheets in 4 bedrooms, we coming for a visit.

Weather just has to be taken in stride, worry shouldn’t consume your mind, that may never happen.

Worry doesn’t consume the mind when one takes care of their things. It’s much easier to take preventative measures than to buy all new appliances or build a new house.

[srswans]

Originally Posted by mrrmauu

Thank you for the detailed info! Do A1 and Triangle install the wire that connects the lightening rods in the attic or outside on the roof? ….

The A-1 system is on the roof for existing houses (i.e., post-construction). A-1 can install inside if you like during construction; Danny showed me pictures from some Palm Coast houses under construction that he is doing that way.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by LeoBJ

jrref,

What is your opinion of Siemens' FSPD140?

Thanks!
Leo

There are many Type-2 surge protectors such as the Siemens on the market. The Siemens, Eaton, Vortexx all have very similar ratings and will effectively work about the same. I'm not too happy with the Ditek or EMP Shield since I've see a couple of those burn up with a severe hit. The reason why I recommend the Eaton Ultra is because it's the cheapest in that line-up and since most people are cost driven, it's better to have surge protection than not. Also, Lenhart Electric has been running a special discount if you mention these lightning threads here, so it's easy for Villagers to get the device installed. This discount will end shortly since costs have gone up for everything these days.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Both are recomended for complete risk reduction

The LPS can be thought of as acting as a "shield" dissipating a lightening strike that could be headed towards a structure around that structure.

The surge protector dissipates surge currents induced by an indirect nearby strike or into the powerlines.

Thank you, correct. Just to add, if you home ever got hit by lightning, if you have a layered surge protection system, and if the strike doesn't burn down your house, the surge protection could lessen the damage to your electronic devices.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by srswans

The A-1 system is on the roof for existing houses (i.e., post-construction). A-1 can install inside if you like during construction; Danny showed me pictures from some Palm Coast houses under construction that he is doing that way.

As you mentioned, typically on a house already built, the system goes on the roof. In reality the cables could be run inside the attic on an already built home but it would be very complex and expensive which is why it not generally done.