Value of good whole house surge protector.

[Scooby074]

Ladia, was your original protector a Siemens?

 

[Redneck in training]

Ladia, was your original protector a Siemens?

No. I bought it in Menards or HD for about $120 in 2005. I am currently out of home so I can't look what brand it was. I will report back when I get back home in few weeks.
I also have one Midnight Solar surge protector on each bank of PV panels. Midnite Solar MNSPD-300 300VDC/ 385VAC Lightning Arrestor. But those didn't suffer damage.

 

[brin]

DutchHenryBrown and brin, did they actually install surge protection for $6 & $8 a month? My power company, TXU Energy, does not install such equipment, but for $3.95 a month they provide $500 a year insurance, or for $5.95 a month $1,000 per year surge protection. In other words, insurance that will pay after the fact.

We had lightning knock out an old TV, a clock, telephone, & lamp a few years ago and our homeowners insurance paid, but of course there was a deductible. TXU's plan has no deductible, but doesn't pay a lot either.

Yes Bird , the power company came out and put in a whole different meter when we ordered the whole house surge protection...and we have insurance from them...if we have any damage internally to our wiring or electronics or appliances they pay for replacement and there is no deductible....

 

[V1Rotate]

I have a whole house surge protector connected through my breaker panel.
I also use the surge protector strips that plug into the wall outlets for my tv and other electronics.

 

[Redneck in training]

No. I bought it in Menards or HD for about $120 in 2005. I am currently out of home so I can't look what brand it was. I will report back when I get back home in few weeks.
I also have one Midnight Solar surge protector on each bank of PV panels. Midnite Solar MNSPD-300 300VDC/ 385VAC Lightning Arrestor. But those didn't suffer damage.

In hind sight I should have bought Midninght Solar surge arrestors and put it on the tombstone by the transformer. The beauty of Midnight Solar is that it is mounted outside so you can see the good/bad light anytime you walk around. In fact I still might do it. It never hurts to have multiple protection.

 

[grsthegreat]

My homeowners insurance covers lighting strikes. I suspect most full coverage policies do as well. this leads me to think that buy additional insurance from the power company would just be a waste of money. I do believe in surge protectors for all my electronics, just because the insurance company will replace something doesnt mean I want to risk burning the house down.

yes and no on the insurance coverage. My policy covered lightning strikes also, but had $1,000 deductible with only $600 in damages. Also, any claims against the policy = higher rates for 5 years afterwards. Thats where they get you...make you afraid to file a claim.

If i had multiple thousands in damages, then yes i would have filed a claim. I installed plugin Siemens surge suppressors into my mail panel. Easy to do, not too expensive. No issues since.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have one made by Eaton I believe. I think it was bonly 50 bucks on Ebay.

Chris

 

[Bird]

I have one made by Eaton I believe. I think it was bonly 50 bucks on Ebay.

Chris

So what is there to installing it?

 

[TractorGuy]

I've had a few lightning damages over the years but never more than a couple of hundred dollars worth at the time. My homeowners would cover major loss I believe but I have not read the actual exclusion list in a while. This is a good reminder to read that since the policy is up for renewal.

I might check with my power coop and see if they offer anything along these lines.

 

[Redneck in training]

So what is there to installing it?

Installation is very easy. Here several youtube movies how to do it. whole house surge protector installation - YouTube