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New home power protection?

This summer I'm moving to SW MI where thunder storms are common.  They are rare where I live currently so have not worried about them here.  But with stories from others about damaged electronics from lightening I have questions since I'm not familiar with any of this.

1.  Is whole house surge protection at the panel effective and worthwhile?

2.  Apparently cable and phone line protection is separate and must be added to the panel protection.  I assume this is appropriate to add if going for whole house protection?

3.  The realtor ask about adding a generator.  I assume that is a separate issue to provide temporary power during an outage but does not offer line surge protection, correct?  The generator is triggered after the power fails, with or without a major surge (although that may be quite rapid), correct?

Thanks if you have knowledge on this issue to share. 
pryso

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,902 posts
 
To clarify, running all the outside wiring (TV, cable, satellite, etc) to the same panel for a bulkhead-like grounding and surge protection solution is what gets expensive, and inconvenient, but if you are building new, in a lightning prone area you should. :)
erik_squires
15,902 posts
 
1.  Is whole house surge protection at the panel effective and worthwhile?



Yes. Some of it can be very cheap. Panel makers have a variety of units that fit in like breakers. Utility companies also offer protection at the meter. They usually recommend an additional surge protector near anything sensitive though, as the EM pulse from lightning may induce a surge directly into house wiring.


2.  Apparently cable and phone line protection is separate and must be added to the panel protection.  I assume this is appropriate to add if going for whole house protection?

Yep, but it depends on whether you can afford this. Having a surge protector bonded to ground at the service panel is the best way to go for any outside copper, including roof mounted antennas (TV, Satellite), etc. It is the gold standard. However, there are also great units from Furman which include all of this in one.

So my usual advice is, get protection at the service entrance, and a Furman at your sensitive electronic devices.


3.  The realtor ask about adding a generator.  I assume that is a separate issue to provide temporary power during an outage but does not offer line surge protection, correct? 

Right, it won't protect you from a surge, but it will keep your refrigerator working. :)
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