surge arrester vs lightning arrester
Does my house need a lightning rod? We hear this question a lot, and the answer is not always cut and dry. In this installment, we’ll examine the variables, helping you determine whether or not your home may be in need of lighting protection.
A single lightning bolt carries 100 million to 1 billion volts of electricity. Lightning rods intercept this voltage, providing a safe path for lightning current into the ground. They do not decrease the likelihood your home may be struck, but provide a direct path to ground, preventing damage to your home from fire, explosion, and electrical surges that can result from lightning strikes.
Lightning strikes are not a common threat to residential homes, so most homeowners forgo lightning protection. However, lightning strikes are on the rise. Lightning-related claims rose nearly 10 percent from 2015 to 2016, with June-August remaining peak months of activity.
According to the most recent data available, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 22,600 lightning-related fires per year. Based on a recent report from the Insurance Information Institute, the top 10 states for homeowner’s insurance lighting losses in 2016 include…
Statistically, lightning is the most commonly experienced weather hazard. Contrary to urban myth, lighting CAN strike the same place twice: The Empire State building gets hit with about 100 strikes a year, however most homes do not experience this increased incidence. If you live in a very tall home, have trees taller than your home less than 10 feet away from its structure, or live in an area with a high lightning strikes, however, installing a lightning rod is recommended. They can cost a few thousand dollars, so many homeowners assume the rare chance of a strike happening a risk worth taking to save some money. Because, according to Rainbow International, a Neighborly company, it takes only a second to spark disaster, however, many homeowner’s insurance plans provide credits for lightning protection, recognizing them as “protection for the entire external perimeter of the home.”
Contact your local insurer directly to learn more about incentives for these common lightning protection components…
Don’t get zapped by electrical storms. Prevent shocking experiences with the help of Mr. Electric today.
This blog is made available by Mr. Electric for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding on the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed electrical professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.