[williep]

I got my first SECO electric Bill and it had an add inclosed that offered surge protection for $5.95 / mo plus a $25.00 installation fee. This seems pretty reasonable considering the damage that can be caused by an electrical / lightning surge. Does anyone use this service and what are the alternatives like installing your own commercially purchased surge protectors? Also is this a devive that is installed outside to the power meter?
Thanks, Bill from Duval Double Palm Villas, & Blackstone, MA

[Army Guy]

We are new also and I asked several people in TV about it. They all told me it is a good deal, so as soon as we get fully moved in we are having SECO install it on our villa.

Army Guy

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by williep

I got my first SECO electric Bill and it had an add inclosed that offered surge protection for $5.95 / mo plus a $25.00 installation fee. This seems pretty reasonable considering the damage that can be caused by an electrical / lightning surge. Does anyone use this service and what are the alternatives like installing your own commercially purchased surge protectors? Also is this a device that is installed outside to the power meter?
Thanks, Bill from Duval Double Palm Villas, & Blackstone, MA

When I moved here eight years ago the monthly charge was the only way SECO did it. A couple of years ago you could but the protection outright for about $250 (plus or minus) so I opted to buy.

There are a couple of ways to get the whole house surge protection. Mine is installed on the meter outside. Another is by having something added to your circuit breaker box. I am not sure which is the best but check the various threads by searching for surge protection.

Or ask an electrician.

[Bob S]

I got quotes of from $150 to $180 to have an electrician install a similar device at your panel box. Maybe an electrician can weigh in on whether this provides the same level of surge protection as SECO's device installed at the meter.

[GMONEY]

Yes it is a good deal, we got it done, most of our neighbors have it. You can lease it for 5.95 a month with a one time 25.00 install fee. They will come to you house and do the install, you do not have to be home. They will leave a kit at the front door for inside the home. has some protectors for the walls and a outlet test kit.
You can also buy the deal for I think it was 299.00. that also includes the 25.00 install fee.
cant go wrong.

[k2at]

Putting in the surge protection either at the meter or in the box in your garage is a smart move. I have the system installed in my home. However one should understand that the protection u get from the system is not from lightening hits, but rather it is intended to smooth out the current flow into your home. All of your appliances like a smooth flow of current to them and conversely they do not like to experience electrical surges in the line. These surges can occur because of nature or they can be man-made. The surpressors act like a sponge and smooth out these spikes in you electrical lines. By installing the protection you reduce the likelyhood of burning up a TV or motor in your home.

These surpressors are not designed to nullify a lightening strike and therefore if your home is getting hit by lightening, don't be in it.

Again, I would recommend the surpressors from either the electrical company or an electrician, but don't be fooled into thinking you now have lightening protection.

[Opulence]

Originally Posted by k2at

Putting in the surge protection either at the meter or in the box in your garage is a smart move. I have the system installed in my home. However one should understand that the protection u get from the system is not from lightening hits, but rather it is intended to smooth out the current flow into your home. All of your appliances like a smooth flow of current to them and conversely they do not like to experience electrical surges in the line. These surges can occur because of nature or they can be man-made. The surpressors act like a sponge and smooth out these spikes in you electrical lines. By installing the protection you reduce the likelyhood of burning up a TV or motor in your home.

These surpressors are not designed to nullify a lightening strike and therefore if your home is getting hit by lightening, don't be in it.

Again, I would recommend the surpressors from either the electrical company or an electrician, but don't be fooled into thinking you now have lightening protection.

Very informative - thank you. What DO they offer for lightening strikes & any idea of the costs?

Betty

[williep]

Betty,
You can have lightening rods installed on top of your house. These are connected to thick cables that are buried in the ground. The theory behind these is that lightening is attracted to pointed conductors that are grounded. It likes to follow the path of least resistance which these lightening rods provide. I am not sure of the cost but they can't be too expensive because there is not too much to them. The villa right next to mine has them and they will proberly protect my house also because of the proximity. Also, it is very common to have lightening hit external power connections. This will cause a surge in all of the power lines in the area, so having a surge protector will dampen the voltage spike which can ruin all of your electronics.
Hope this helps,
Bill from Duval & MA

[Snowbird]

I checked with our insurance agent about lightning rods, knowing that two homes have been destroyed by lightning in TV over the past two years. I was advised that the only good lightning rods are the copper ones, which of course are more expensive. The two homes that were struck by lightning were both concrete/stucko design and the last one hit did have lightning rods, which did not do the job. I've decided to not install them at this time on our new home.