Information provided by Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

5/22/2023 (Permalink)

This photo shows lightening bolt in the sky

When it comes to lightning protection, starting with a whole-house or building surge protector is crucial in minimizing the risk of damage. In some cases, the utility company may offer and install such surge protection systems for the entire building. However, if this service is not available, it is recommended to consult a licensed electrician to have one installed. It is important to understand that a whole-house or building surge protector does not provide protection against a direct lightning strike. For comprehensive lightning protection, specialized lightning protection systems are designed to safeguard structures by providing a designated path to safely harness and ground the powerful current of a lightning bolt. These systems effectively redirect the strike, discharging the hazardous electrical event into the ground. To ensure optimal protection, it is advised to have lightning protection systems installed by a UL listed installer, adhering to the requirements of NFPA 780 and Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) Standards. In addition to whole-building surge protection, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) strongly recommends the following measures:

• Unplug electronic equipment: This is the most reliable method of safeguarding devices from power surges.
• Understand the difference between surge suppressors and power strips: While power strips allow you to connect multiple electronic devices, they do not protect against power spikes. Surge protectors, on the other hand, provide both multiple device connections and protection against power surges.
• Connect telephone, cable/satellite TV, and network lines to surge suppressors.
• Verify that the surge suppressor has an indicator light to confirm its proper functionality.
• Ensure that the surge suppressor has been tested and meets the standards of UL 1449.
• Select a surge suppressor with a Joule rating exceeding 1,000. Higher ratings indicate better protection.
• Look for a surge suppressor with a clamping voltage rating between 330 V and 400 V, indicating the voltage level at which the protector conducts electricity to the ground.
• Choose a surge suppressor with a response time of less than 1 nanosecond.
• Invest appropriately in surge protectors, avoiding the use of low-quality protectors for valuable electronic equipment. You don’t want to protect a $1,000 television or computer system with a $10 surge protector, for $25 and up you can provide much better protection.
• Have a licensed electrician or home/building inspector review the power, telephone, electrical, and cable/satellite TV connections to ensure adequate grounding and proper bonding. All utilities should enter the structure within 10 feet of the electrical service entrance ground wire and be bonded to that grounding point.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly enhance your protection against power surges and lightning-related risks.