[Shop-talk] Whole-house surge protection

[Ian McFetridge]

I had one on a house (builder installed) and I don't believe it ever did
anything in the five years we lived there.  I don't think I would get one
in your situation.  As I recall, it only protects from spikes coming off of
the street and not if your house is hit.  The house we live in now has
above ground lines on the street and to the house.  I probably would get
one if we weren't planning to move soon.


On Thu, May 23, 2013 at 9:49 AM, Jeff Scarbrough <fishplate at gmail.com>wrote:

> A cow-orker with a new house asked me about whole-house surge
> protection.  Where I live, the local member-owned electric utility
> sells protection for large appliances and motors as a device in the
> meter base.  They charge $6.50 a month for this service.  As I
> understand it, you're basically buying insurance, as they repair any
> damage due to surges with this service.
>
> I see you can purchase a similar device at the local big box for
> around $200.  The claim is that it offers surge protection similar to
> a plug-in device, but also covers connected equipment.
>
>
> http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-by-Schneider-Electric-SurgeBreaker-Plus-Whole-House-Secondary-Surge-Protective-Device-SDSB1175C/100127248#.UZ4bKsqOBhc
>
> In my neighborhood, all the utilities are underground.  In 17 years,
> I've not experienced anything that would require use of a whole-house
> device, despite some really exciting electrical storms.  All of my
> electronics are plugged into normal surge suppressors, but no problems
> with them or the larger things so far.
>
> Any of you guys have any experience or advice concerning this sort of
> thing?
>
> Jeff Scarbrough
> Corrosion Acres, Ga.
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