Anyone have a whole-house surge protector? (1 Viewer)

[Ron Reda]

I got a flyer in the mail today from my power company advertising a whole-house surge protector. While I have heard of them before, I have never heard from someone who has used/is using one. It runs $9.99 per month. To me, that's not too bad of a price to know that your gear is well protected. Any houghts?

 

[Leo Kerr]

My understanding is that it isn't really a surge protector like most people think of one.

It's a lightning arrestor in your electric meter, and an insurance policy.

Plus, it does nothing about surges generated within the house - airconditioner compressors cycling, your big CNC router in the basement, or whatever.

Leo Kerr

 

[Chu Gai]

Yes and I'll give a more thorough answer when I can. In the meantime Ron, call them up and ask if it also protects the phone and incoming cable and if they know how many joules it is.

 

[Chu Gai]

Actually it is a surge protector Leo and in terms of effectiveness and bang for the buck, offers the homeowner the greatest degree of protection. I'm going to try and put some of this in correct perspective and be precise when using terms. Please see the following post. http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=207129

 

[Leo Kerr]

Okay; I was going on what I remembered when our local power company began offering it... in our case, it's essentially a pair of (for lack of a better term) fuses in the electric meter.

Leo Kerr

 

[Chu Gai]

Actually they were probably MOV's.

 

[Pus Suchre]

Ron, any chance of posting the specs for what they are offering?

I just lost my microwave, probably my drier, and 4 lights to a bad electrical storm. Fortunately my kids know the "storm drill" and had all of the PCs and the tv unplugged.

First time I've ever taken an electrical hit that knocked things out.

I wonder just how effective their surge protector is? I confess, the whole house protection intrigues me....

-Pus

 

[Chu Gai]

Sure it wasn't your cat?

 

[Pus Suchre]

Too funny Chu....but the cat has already been suppressed