[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by Micizel

We just had our smart meter put in. We had a surge protector on it but they said it was damaged and out of warranty. It came with the house when we bought 2 years ago.

We have a surge protector in the garage at the box as well.

We want to replace the Seco surge protector but we’re unsure if we should buy it or lease it. Generally with these kind buy/lease options we buy.

Curios to hear thoughts on pros/cons for either before we call to talk to them. Primary thing we’re thinking that if we’re leasing it and it goes bad that Seco would replace it without any hassle?

If you buy it and move within the Villages Seco will move it to the new house for a fee of course.
Do the math on leasing vs buying to decide.

[retiredguy123]

For the record, I don't have any whole house surge protectors, just the ones that plug into the wall at my computer and televisions. I guess some people would say that I am living on the edge, but I have never purchased a whole house surge device. Note that if you buy a plug-in surge protector, make sure that it is an actual surge protector and not just an extension cord. A lot of people don't know the difference because they look the same.

[CybrSage]

Before you decide, look around and see if lightning is even a threat to you.

I have a water tower a few hundred feet behind my home. If lightning decides to strike my home instead of that tower, it is a direct message from God and no surge protector will help.

[Laurietp]

Thank you. The video was great.

[RustyN]

Originally Posted by Laurietp

Thank you. The video was great.

You are welcome. Also as the video states...having surge protection is NOT just about Lightning. Far from it.

https://youtu.be/PzO4Ak5tVuY

Be advised all protection devices are not the same. The cost is not a deciding factor. This is one area where you get what you pay for. With that said anything is better than nothing. The one I installed is not a DIY and one reason is because of the warranty that it has. Also, what is inside the box. Not the same as most units. You will learn from the video. Best of luck!

[Michael 61]

Last year when I purchased my home, I had SECO install their surge protection device (I paid for device vs rent). I also called up an electrician and had a surge protection device installed in my electrical panel. I also have surge protection on my TV, computer, As well as chargers for IPad and IPhone. I need to install one for my garage door.

[justjim]

Yes, I learned regarding the garage door the hard way.?

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by PurePeach

You are confusing the two types of surge protectors. The one SECO puts on is called the Mitigator and is installed on the outside of your house on the meter box, which I have. It has a little red light that stays on all the time which tells you it’s working. ONLY SECO can install this device. This one protects against surges from the power source only, i.e. the substation. The one inside your breaker box blocks the surges from things like lightening strikes that “jump” lines and can cause surges within the box. That one you have to purchase and have installed. I had Pikes Electric do that — Eaton Ultra.

Also have a whole house unit installed by Pikes. I also have three battery backup units for the electronics plus surge protectors. 10 years and no problems (knocking on wood).

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

For the record, I don't have any whole house surge protectors, just the ones that plug into the wall at my computer and televisions. I guess some people would say that I am living on the edge, but I have never purchased a whole house surge device. Note that if you buy a plug-in surge protector, make sure that it is an actual surge protector and not just an extension cord. A lot of people don't know the difference because they look the same.

Just be aware, without any whole house surge protection, even with the point of use surge protectors that you are talking about, better get a good one like from Belkin, Tripplite or another reputable brand because with the large surges we get here in the Villages, some could cause these surge protectors to catch fire. If you ever get an induced surge can you come back to this forum and tell us how much damage you got and how much it cost you?

[jrref]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Also have a whole house unit installed by Pikes. I also have three battery backup units for the electronics plus surge protectors. 10 years and no problems (knocking on wood).

Excellent! Your chances of getting damage from a surge has gone down significantly where you shouldn't need to worry about it any more. I can tell you, with the large numbers of sever storms we have been getting, Lenhart and Pikes electric have been installing a very large number of these whole house surge protectors. Everyone on my street has them along with the Seco protector which is mainly designed to manage surges coming from the utility company. Because of where we live here in central Florida, it's really a necessity. Damage from induced surges is not talked about often becasue you don't get a spectacular fire like from a lightning strike but they happen all the time here in the Villages.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Altavia

There was a recent lightening strike to a local power distribution center that reportedly tripped circuit breakers in homes without protection. Maybe the lightening guys here have more info.

Secondary surge suppressors like the Eaton can be installed such that they are visible outside the panel.

Plus secondary surge suppressors are optimized to supress more common surges induced by nearby lightening strikes.

The SECO unit is optimized for power line surges as noted above. That's probably why their warranty excludes electronics in the home.

100% correct.

[jrref]

There have been numerous post concerning surge protection given the number of storms and lightning strikes here in the Villages over the past couple of months. Just to reinforce the facts, Surge Protection is something you need to seriously consider if you live here in the Villages due to our location and weather patterns that cause servere storms and lightning. The first step I would take is to get a Type-2 Primary Surge protector installed at your circuit breaker panel. This will protect your appliances, HVAC, pool equipment and electronic devices. Lenhart Electric, (352) 748-5818, will install the Eaton Ultra or the PSP Vortex protectors. If you are thinking about "Whole House" surge protection, I would make a decision ASAP. These Type-2 protectors will manage power surges coming from all sources and prevent them from spreading to your entire home. If you live in a new area of the Villages, this type of surge protection is installed as part of the latest version of the electrical code. They typically install something equivalent to the Eaton BRNSURGE Type BR Whole-Panel Circuit Breaker Surge Protective Device Amazon.com Since surge protection is a layered system, I would then make sure you have Type-3 or point of use surge protectors at your TVs, Computers, and other sensitive electronics. Amazon.com You can additionally install plug in cube surge protectors at your micowave and other devices. If you can afford more protection you can have an electrician install surge protection at your HVAC, pool and spa equipment. Devices such as the Intermatic AG3000 120/240 VAC Universal HVAC Surge Protective Device Amazon.com can be installed. Fortunately, new installs typically have this type of surge protection included. Finally, I would get the Type-1 Surge Protector from Seco. This device is primarily designed to manage power surges from the Power Utility. Statistically, these surges occur 20% of the time whereas the rest of the power surges, 80%, come from everywhere else. Surge protection is not something to take lightly. Destructive power surges happen way more than you would expect.

For lightning protection, there have been numerous posts and the Villages Lightning Study Group here in the Villages gives non-commercialized presentations to various groups and the POA so that everyone has the facts and can make an informed decision based on their specific needs and tolerance for risk. If you are interested in getting a lightning protection system, in order to make sure it's installed and will function properly, I would suggest getting a company that is UL Certified and Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) trained. The ones that meet these qualifications and are doing work here in the Villages are
A-1 Lightning Protection
352-465-0620
Triangle Lightning Protection
352-483-7020

There are other installers who use UL certified equipment but doing the correct installation is most important in this case.

Finally, If you were not able to attend one of the Study Group presentations, here is a link to the last POA presentation that was recorded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMLyywdB0A&t=2041s

I hope this response can be a source of information for those trying to make sure their home and family are safe from the issues we typically have here from severe weather in the Villages.

[MikeVillages]

Previous owner was leasing so we continued the lease. Later I did the math & knew more and changed to BUY.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by rsmurano

Lease. A few bucks a month and the utility company will replace it if it is damaged (did its job). Plus, this unit is plain view. To check out the status of the unit. You put a surge protection device in your panel, you will have to take the panel off to check if it’s working or not. I haven’t heard if any of these units are wifi/bluetooth capable so you can check the status of the unit without opening up the panel.

I just got an Eaton whole house surge protector at the panel & you do not have to take the panel off or even open it to see if it is working. In my case it was installed beneath the panel & every time I look over at the wall I can see the two green lights telling me that it is still on the job.

[MikeVillages]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

I just got an Eaton whole house surge protector at the panel & you do not have to take the panel off or even open it to see if it is working. In my case it was installed beneath the panel & every time I look over at the wall I can see the two green lights telling me that it is still on the job.

Would you post a picture?