"Choreboy" wrote in message
...
Rudy wrote:

A destructive transient cannot be blocked, stopped, or
absorbed. Series inductance will stop the transient? Fuse
will stop a transient? Does not happen. Numbers provided in
the previous post make that woefully obvious.

A few years back, there was a lightning storm in the neighborhood. One
hit
sounded really close aboard and the lights flickered a bit. Couldnt see
anything that got damaged but the next day when I went into the den to
work
on the computer, I smelled something like plastic burning. (BTW, I dont
leave my computer "on" when not in use).

I tried to power it up but no luck. I looked behind the desk and found
my
APC surge protector had no green lights on it. I opened up the case and
there was a bunch of fried circuits and melted plastic inside.
Fortunately,
APC warranteed the unit for 5 years so I got a new one for the cost of
shipping.

I "dont leave home without it" now. Now that I think about it..I'd
better
get one for my new Big Screen HDTV ASAP !!

Rudy

I was online when lightning hit a tree 25 feet from my service entrance.
My phone service went dead due to a blown fuse on the telephone pole,
but I had no damage. Like you, I've had good experience, but I wish I
could find statistics and I wish I knew how some models are designed to
be more reliable than others.

Choreboy

SOARS book on grounding has some easy text. Try your library.
IEEE 519 (I think) says for surge protection you need to do 2 of the 3
zones. One zone is the utility so that is out. Next is the service, next is
point of use. So as a user you can protect the service and point of use.

I just installed a GE made surge arrestor for my GE service. Just plugs in
to the buss and acts like a 2 pole breaker with a green light.
http://www.geindustrial.com/cwc/prod...g&lan g=en_US
incase your interested, other manufactures make them for their panels as
well.

I also have point of use protection. Most of the ones made today have
protection levels of around 330v. Remember Metal Oxide Varsities are UL
tested ONCE. Not twice. I replace all of my point of use stuff every 2 years
just before the Monsoons.

If your really into it test your grounding at your service. You will need to
beg or borrow special equipment for this. Check out
http://www.groundtesterstore.com/clamp/aemc3731.php
I have used one of these many times. Especially when driving grounds for
fall of potential is out of the question.
Other companies make them as well.