3 ms·

Name and shame the surge protector brand/model you used. I've seen them make outrageous warranty/guarantee promises between $10,000 and $100,000 so it might be

Name and shame the surge protector brand/model you used. I've seen them make outrageous warranty/guarantee promises between $10,000 and $100,000 so it might be worth using that to replace some of your hardware. For everything else - you need an electrician. It's not as easy as just a "big metal stick somewhere in the garden" -- get someone (else) out to actually inspect and deal with it. The reason being is that IMO: your surge protection devices shouldn't have fried if they were properly grounded. So the previous electricians might not have properly grounded your property.

capableweb 4y ago
I'd love to hear what consumer-grade UPS you've seen offering protection from direct hit lightning. They'd be very stupid to offer any guarantee against that.
- someotherperson 4y ago
  Tripp Lite and CyberPower are two off the top of my head.
- aspyct 4y ago
  A well-balanced mix of sales, statistics and insurance probably:)
K0balt 4y ago
Surge protection devices are designed to sacrificially fry in a last ditch attempt to protect the electronic devices downstream. The report that the power supply was the only thing that failed when unprotected electric MOTORS in his house were fried (very hard to do) says the the protection device actually did a phenomenal job given the circumstances. Lightning is not generally possible to protect against in nonconducting residential structures except with lightning rods and other devices designed to divert the strike. Even then the protection is not complete. Steel clad steel buildings are exceptionally resistant, but even in this ideal case, a direct strike can destroy equipment through the EMP and differing potentials generated within the structure. Lightning protection is a achieved through defense in depth. Utility level, distribution level, then a protector at the service entrance, then circuit protection, then outlet (plug in) protection, then in device protection. If the lightning skips any of these steps by striking inside of these rings of protection, anything inside is going to face extreme challenges and is very likely to be damaged. You can’t trivially absorb or divert 10-1000 terawatts of power. It’s enough to heat air to 20,000c and to instantly vaporize a third of a cubic meter of sand. You just can’t easily protect against that kind of energy. It’s equivalent to protecting your house from suffering damage if a small commuter aircraft crashed into it. It’s possible, but it requires extreme measures… not just plugging something into an outlet.

capableweb 4y ago

I'd love to hear what consumer-grade UPS you've seen offering protection from direct hit lightning. They'd be very stupid to offer any guarantee against that.

someotherperson 4y ago
Tripp Lite and CyberPower are two off the top of my head.
aspyct 4y ago
A well-balanced mix of sales, statistics and insurance probably:)

K0balt 4y ago

Surge protection devices are designed to sacrificially fry in a last ditch attempt to protect the electronic devices downstream. The report that the power supply was the only thing that failed when unprotected electric MOTORS in his house were fried (very hard to do) says the the protection device actually did a phenomenal job given the circumstances. Lightning is not generally possible to protect against in nonconducting residential structures except with lightning rods and other devices designed to divert the strike. Even then the protection is not complete. Steel clad steel buildings are exceptionally resistant, but even in this ideal case, a direct strike can destroy equipment through the EMP and differing potentials generated within the structure. Lightning protection is a achieved through defense in depth. Utility level, distribution level, then a protector at the service entrance, then circuit protection, then outlet (plug in) protection, then in device protection. If the lightning skips any of these steps by striking inside of these rings of protection, anything inside is going to face extreme challenges and is very likely to be damaged. You can’t trivially absorb or divert 10-1000 terawatts of power. It’s enough to heat air to 20,000c and to instantly vaporize a third of a cubic meter of sand. You just can’t easily protect against that kind of energy. It’s equivalent to protecting your house from suffering damage if a small commuter aircraft crashed into it. It’s possible, but it requires extreme measures… not just plugging something into an outlet.