Ask Slashdot: Best Option For Heavy-Duty, Full-Home Surge Protection? 341
First time accepted submitter kmoser writes "Like most people, I have a couple of surge protectors for sensitive/important electronics, and even a UPS for a couple of items like computers. But I don't have surge protector on all outlets, and these consumer-grade devices don't cover things like 220 volt appliances. Add to that the fact that I live in a lightning-prone area and it's only a matter of time before one of my expensive devices has a major meltdown. I've looked into full-home surge protectors that install next to the fuse box but the prices vary widely and I have no idea how reliable they are or what brands are good. An electrician friend tells me they can still blow out, and when they do they're difficult to replace if they were installed behind a wall. Can anybody shed some light on the best options for protecting all the electronics in my house with a single surge protector?"
Transient Surge Protection (Score:3, Interesting)
That's the 'key phrase' to use when talking to folks, "Transient Surge Protection". Covers everything from the neighbors 220v welder switching on to an induced over voltage from a near hit 1/4 mile away or so.
There isn't a simple "plug 'n play" solution. For example, Motorola's R-56 communications site standard is some 500 pages of how to do this. It takes intentional planning and a bit of engineering as there are at least 2, if not more goals to consider. NEC and local codes come into play as well.
It's not a trivial task. It won't tolerate a trivial solution. Expect to spend some time and money to do it right or risk not only a false sense of security but the chance of making things worse.
links:
http://www.radioandtrunking.com/downloads/motorola/R56_2005_manual.pdf
Does *not* replace local surge protection! (Score:4, Interesting)
Any electrician will tell you that whole house surge protection does not replace local surge protection. It stops most of the spike but not all of it. You still have to have surge protection strips locally for sensitive equipment.
Re:wait .. (Score:5, Interesting)
They get installed inline with the main house circuit breaker panel. Expensive.
Most people budget for the $$$ for the device. Then they forget the labor to do it right, and always forget to spend the $$$ for a good ground connection.
Re:Only a matter of time? (Score:2, Interesting)
Honestly, how important are surge protectors? Don't most have a disclaimer that they don't protect vs lightning anyway?
I'm sure for large businesses or extreme cost equipment they are a good investment, but for home users are they really needed?
(Honest question since I don't really know)
A strike anywhere close to your house can cause a lot of havoc. And any one item you have to replace may not seem so bad, but you could also lose several at once.
I lost an ethernet port, the controller for my home alarm system, the controller for my garage door opener and a 35" TV set in one strike. Altogether this cost over $800 bucks to recover from and I didn't even replace the TV!. All of this was also in a new, well-grounded house.
I'm in Iowa - not really a legendary place for lightning - and have had personal run-ins with lightning damage 3 times in the last 7 years. (I lost an entire house to one!)
Everything in your home with digital electronics in it - and that leave little out these days - is especially vulnerable.
Re:SPD's are expensive. (Score:4, Interesting)
Heh. My house was saved from a lightning strike a few years ago by the mailbox.
The mailbox pedestal (masonry) had chicken wire inside, apparently to reinforce the mortar between the cinder block core and the outer layer of rock. One stormy night a LOUD clap of thunder was heard and one (only one) breaker popped, for a room in the back of the house. The next morning we discovered pulverized bits of masonry all over the front yard and a large divot in one corner of the mailbox.
Re:Not Advice (Score:4, Interesting)