Protect Electrical Devices From High Voltages

Every now and then, lightning strikes a house directly. If electronic devices are directly connected to the power grid at this point, they are literally “grilled”. For this reason, there are various surge protection measures that private individuals can take in their households.

Thunderstorms hit us mainly in the warmer months between May and September . The strong sunlight warms the air, causing a lot of water to evaporate. When cold air meets warm air, moist, warm air rises. Water vapor condenses and cumulative clouds form. Under certain circumstances, these grow into cumulus clouds, in which strong winds prevail and from which small raindrops fall out. The raindrops are carried upwards where they freeze. The now heavy drops fall in the form of hailstones towards the earth.

There is now a different charge in the cloud: positive above, negative below. Enormous tensions arise inside the cloud, which discharge as lightning. This is done in two ways:

• As tension compensation in the cloud or
• As a balance between the lower part of the cloud and the ground.

Causes:

The main cause of serious surges is lightning strikes near signal and power lines . The effects of lightning induce impermissible voltages in conductor loops with a radius of about 200 meters. Dangerous potential differences can occur even within a radius of two kilometers due to earth resistance.

Countermeasures:

lightning protection

1. 1. External lightning protection : House builders should already plan external lightning protection when building their own home. Retrofitting later is cumbersome and expensive. The so-called lightning arrester is used to discharge the lightning current to earth in an emergency without causing any danger to the residents of the house. With this surge protector, homeowners can prevent fire damage. The protective measure is only installed by specialists in the electrical trade who are familiar with the components, materials, regulations and standards. The external lightning protection basically consists of three components:
      1. The safety gear is  installed on the roof of the building  . It must rise above the height of the house, the antennas and chimneys attached. It is important that the device can withstand the meltdowns that occur when lightning strikes and that it can absorb the electricity.
      2. After the lightning strike, the energy flows to the  discharge system , which leads vertically downwards along the walls of the house. This creates a Faraday cage that directs the lightning current to earth.
      3. The grounding is  integrated in the concrete foundation  and discharges lightning currents into the ground.
   2. Internal lightning protection : The external lightning protection alone is not sufficient, because even expensive protective devices can be destroyed by the so-called surge damage . Only a surge protector inside the house can protect electrical devices from lightning. This protective measure also consists of three components, type 1 arrester, type 2 arrester and type 3 arrester:
      1. Coarse protection : The coarse protection is installed in the meter distributor and costs around 500 euros.
      2. Medium protection : Around 200 euros are due for the type 2 arrester , which is installed in the electrical distributor, for example.
      3. Fine protection : This is installed in buildings where sensitive components are used. Installation in sockets is possible . Basically, almost all manufacturers of electrical and electronic devices have to install a fine protection , but this is not of the same good quality as an external protection.
   3. Protection for electrical installation : Schuko sockets are part of electrical installation. When installing the models, you should make sure to buy products with surge protection. It is important that the sockets are safe, reliable and of high quality. This is demonstrated, among other things, by  the VdS certificate .

1. Subsequent security : In the past, most people unplugged the television and co. Although this measure is effective, it is cumbersome and not always effective. Because if you are not at home during a thunderstorm, you have a problem. There are also devices that cannot be easily disconnected from the mains, such as freezers. If you want to retrofit overvoltage protection, you will find socket stripsfrom companies such as Brennstuhl or APC, but also adapter plugs and combination adapter plugs. Simple sockets only offer an on / off switch. Modern connector strips, on the other hand, have an integrated surge protection that protects electrical devices even if the strip is not switched off in time. Practical side-effect: With the power strips, stand-by devices can be switched off completely and thus  save electricity .
2. Protection for tenants : Tenants can install type 3 arresters . These protect devices such as televisions, telephone systems, receivers and home electronics. Nevertheless, there is a risk that a surge protection that is not coordinated with one another is ultimately ineffective. The landlord is ultimately responsible for tiered protection.

Device Protection

Data line connections and mains power supplies (antenna cables, LAN, etc.) in devices are protected against overvoltage . Some network devices (a splitter, for example) are inexpensive to buy, so upgrading with surge protection is not always a good idea. With LAN and Ethernet there is some protection anyway thanks to the transformer isolation , while fiber optic networks are generally not at risk.

The following focal points determine whether a plant or system should be protected:

• All parts of the system that are fundamentally endangered must be protected. Long data lines and external antennas are particularly at risk.
• Systems that are valuable should also be protected. Computers, HiFi systems, etc. fall into this category.
• If there is a risk of injury from possible overvoltages for people and / or buildings, appropriate measures must also be taken. This is rarely the case in the private sector, to mention during the failure of elevators or medical devices.

Insurance Cover

Damage caused by lightning strikes is included in the insurance cover, but the scope of protection is limited according to Section 2 No. 3 VGB 2010 (1914) (PDF; 78 KB). Accordingly, only the things that were destroyed by the transition of the lightning are insured. Damage due to short-circuit, overcurrent and overvoltage are only insured if other damage caused by lightning strikes has occurred on the insured property.

There are basically several ways that lightning can damage things: An object can ignite due to the development of heat . This damage is insured as fire damage. However, the insured danger of “lightning strikes” means damage caused mechanically without a fire. Mechanical damage (“cold lightning”) arises from the rapid heating of water that is contained in every object. The water expands many times over, causing the objects to burst.

Solid surge protection is essential to protect electronic devices in the home. This is not surprising, considering that many expensive electrical appliances break down every year. Various switching processes and static charges can cause insulation that leads to very high voltages. Very often high voltages are caused by lightning strikes.

100,000 lightning strikes an hour worldwide. In US you have to expect 10 to 15 lightning strikes per year. These statistics should encourage every homeowner to buy surge protectors. The surge protector is a kind of power strip or surge filter that has the ability to dissipate all the lightning energy. As tests of surge protection adapters show, the use of these can protect all electronics at home. In this respect, surge protection should be mandatory.

Buying Advice on Surge Protection Devices

after Test or Comparison:

Find our personal surge protection plug test winner with our help!

Surge protection or lightning protection is essential. If you want to install the surge protection adapter yourself, you can take a look at the best devices or test winners. You get a good overview of the best devices by type and type. Depending on your exact purpose, you should of course also choose a surge protector that is compatible with your existing fuse box. Your individual surge protection circuit diagram will help.

You will surely want to see that you buy an inexpensive surge protection adapter. In times of the global market economy, this endeavor should not be particularly difficult. The Stiftung Warentest has not yet commented on this topic, but an overvoltage protection test using similar devices can be viewed. To protect against overvoltage in household appliances, we advise you to make a comprehensive comparison.

1)- Progressive Industries EMS-LCHW50 Hardwired RV Surge and Electrical Protector – 50 Amp

• Surge Protection: 5-Mode / 3,580J / 88,000A. Ratings: 50A / 240V/120V / 12,000W. Operating Temperatures: -40C to +105C
• Open Ground, Open Neutral & Reverse Polarity Detection, Over/Under voltage Protection, Accidental 240V Protection and A/C Frequency Protection
• Miswired pedestal indication and surge failure indicator
• Built-in Digital Display scrolls continuously through the power source information: Voltage(s), current, frequency, error code, and previous error code (if applicable)
• UL Certified and Canadian Approved. Lifetime Warranty.
• Time Delay (136 seconds)

Buyer Review:

I really think this best wall mount surge protector is a 5 star product and I was ready to give it 5 stars and explanation follows. Received the product timely and all parts were present. Installation is very easy if you follow the included instructions and photos. The most important part is making sure the terminal block screws are screwed down tightly on the stripped wires. The stripped wire end will typically be multistrand copper wires and after stripping the wire ends, insert into the terminal block and tightly screw down. Wait about 5-10 minutes and re-tighten the screws as the wire strands will deform. I learned this trick from an electrician. After installation and confirming fully functioning unit, I thought I would get on the Progressive Industries website to see if I needed to register my unit to maintain warranty. I read through the warranty and here is the copied statement under voided warranties section:
” Installation of hard wired units by any party other than a qualified RV dealer”
I then e-mailed them asking about this and their reply was confirmation of voided warranty on self installation. So, if you are a “Qualified RV dealer”, you have lifetime warranty but if you are a DIYer or even a qualified licensed electrician who happens to not be a “Qualified RV dealer”, then the lifetime warranty is void. Given that, why is this product available for sale on Amazon without a warning? While I do not believe that I will have problems with this item, and I feel competent with my installation and that “qualified RV Dealers” does not necessarily mean competent RV Dealers (I have had my share of work done by “Qualified RV Dealers”) I am disappointed by the Warranty restrictions.
6/5/2018: I have been notified by recent purchasers of the EMS-HW30C that PI now will provide Limited Lifetime warranty on this product even with self install!! This is great news and I will revise my review with 5 stars. Proper preparation and installation is still a caveat.

2)- Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK 30 Amp 6-circuit Pro/Tran Transfer Switch Kit for Generators (7500 Watts).

• Kit includes 31406C six-circuit prewired transfer switch, PC3010 power cord (10 feet, 10 AWG, L14-30 ends), PB30 outdoor painted steel remote power inlet box, wire nuts, and L14-20 male plug for 20A generator outlets
• Convenient kit for your transfer switch, circuitry and multi-wiring needs
• Maximum generator running watts: 7,500
• 18-inch flexible conduit whip attaches easily, and indoor surface mount transfer switch designed for fast installation in both residential and commercial applications
• cUL1008 listed and comes with a 5-year product warranty that make this product smart surge protector on reddit community

Buyer Review:

The transfer box was a piece of cake to install. The video really speaks for it’s self. My dad was a union electrician and I gofered for him growing up so I do have some pretty good experience. But I am telling you even a cave man can install the transfer box. I installed the outlet on the outside of my house and pulling off and cutting the vinyl siding and installing the vinyl box was the bitchiest part of the job. That and running the wire to the main panel/transfer switch. Make sure you run enough wire into the outlet box because the 10 gauge wire is tough to bend and push into the box AND make room for the back of the plug. Wiring the 10-3 cable into the transfer switch is nothing more than wiring a simple outlet. Again, the video is self exploratory.

I threw up a piece of plywood next to my main box to put the transfer box on as you can see in the picture. It was then easy to line up the transfer switch to the main box. I had my son help me as a couple of extra hands and eyes are needed. I had him check each wire I installed and needed him to read the letters on the wires. Even with reading glasses it is hard to see! Plus an extra flashlight really helps out. Obviously make sure you switch off the main and remember that there is still live power up at the top of the panel. If you are using breakers up top be extra careful.

The transfer switch took me less than an hour to install. The outlet box and running the wire took close to 3 hours. It was about a 35 foot run to the switch. You may want to install the outlet box first and do the hook up on another day. Make sure your silicone around the box if it is outside. Also, when you are done wiring the transfer switch, use some wire ties to clean up the installation. It will impress your friends!

After installation, keep the main off and make sure the switches on the transfer box are all the way down in the off line position. Go plug in the cable to your generator and outlet, start the generator and let it run for around 5 minutes. Then go and flick the switches on the transfer box one at a time to the Gen position and SLOWLY. Best to do switch 1 and 4, 2 and 5, 3 and 6 in this order This will balance the load. Go check everything and make sure they have power. When done, turn off the generator, unplug and then go turn off the switches. Then turn back on the main.

3)- Progressive Industries SSP50X 50 Amps Surge Protector (240V/50A)

• Surge Protection: 5-Mode / 1650J / 45,000A. Ratings: 50A / 120V/240V / 12,000W. Operating Temperatures: -40C to +105C
• Open Ground, Open Neutral & Reverse Polarity Detection. Miss wired Pedestal Indication. Surge Failure Indicator.
• Designed for Outdoor Use, Weather Resistant, Thermally Protected
• Rugged Pull Handle, Brighter 3-Color LED Indicator
• Lifetime Warranty for this top rated appliance surge protector

Buyer Review

So I have a bunch of friends who like to go camping RV’s. One of my friends suffered an unfortunate incident where he sustained permanent damage to his RV because of a bad wired power supply at a campsite. After speaking with him about his misfortune I knew that I needed to investigate whether a power surge protector even existed for RVs. Luckily, they do. I researched for about a week and found this particular unit. I was impressed with the reviews as well as the design and overall ease of use of this particular product. I went ahead and made the purchase and it arrived very quickly and I was not disappointed with the design and quality of the product. When you take it out of the box, it feels like a quality well-made product. For me though the real test will be when I took it camping which I did later that week. I got to the campsite, got everything set up and then put the surge protector to the test. Passed with flying colors. Very easy to understand gave me accurate readings and gave me the peace of mind I needed to know that my investment in my RV is better protected. In retrospect it has made me feel foolish that I would spend so much money on an RV but not spend a little extra to ensure the safety of all of the things that are inside of it. 

4)- Camco Adapter PowerDefender Circuit Analyzer with Integrated Surge Protection and Indicator Lights, Male to 30 Amp Female (55310)

• RV Electrical Protection: Protects your electrical equipment from power surges
• Diagnostic LEDs: Provide indication of faults when you connect your electrical cord to the power pedestal
• Indicates Wiring Issues: Indicates faults for reverse polarity, open neutral and other wiring issues
• Integrated Surge Protection: Up to 1,050 Joules
• 30 Amp: 30 Amp male (NEMA TT 30P)/30 Amp female (NEMA TT 30R)
• Weather Resistant: Withstands adverse weather conditions appliance surge protector home depot

Buyer Review

This works well enough. It is not a high end unit, and will not be the sure-fire way to protect your camper or RV. However, for a low cost solution that greatly reduces you risk, this is perfect. The lights will tell you if the outlet is cross wired, and let’s be honest….we have all stayed at a place that was so tore up, wore down, and cheap looking that you are certain they conduct their own repairs instead of hire an electrician….meaning you could very likely be connecting your negative to a positive….scary when you consider the cost of everything that could be destroyed in the camper not to mention the fire risk.
This will not protect you all the time, but plug it in before you connect and you can spot a bad wiring job. And if it is properly grounded, like all outlets should be, it will bleed off spikes into the ground instead of your rig. Use it on a generator however and you lose the protection of the ground and thus the surge protection.

In summary, you read the chart and compare the lights….if all good then plug in. If not, then contact the person you paid and demand a refund for the site and move to one that will not destroy your rig!

5)- Camco 55313 Circuit Analyzer Dogbone 50 Amp

• Helps Protect Your Electrical Equipment: Helps protect against improperly wired electrical boxes
• Diagnostic LED Lights: Provide visual indication of faults before you connect your RV’s power cord to the electrical box
• Integrated Surge Protection: Up to 4, 200 Joules
• Power Grip Handles: Makes plugging and unplugging safer and easier
• Weather-Resistant: Withstands various weather conditions when installed in the upright position makes it one of the best surge protectors.

Buyer Review:

Great item, BUT CHECK THE LIGHTS!!! I got into the unfortunate bad habit of just using this as a surge protector and not checking the lights for proper circuitry as soon as I plug it in. So two days ago when I first plugged it in I just plugged my power right into it and went about my business.30 minutes later I could smell burning plastic and I found one of the power prongs completely smoked but it did save my rather expensive trailer power cord. The best part was that the campground owner wrote me a check for the replacement cost of this unit! Among search protectors this unit is probably the most economical but it is worth every penny!

6)- ECHOGEAR Power Strip Surge Protector with 8 Rotating-Outlets, Cable Management, Flat Plug & Fireproof Technology – 2160 Joules of Surge Protection – Expand Outlet Capacity & Keep Your Gear Safe

• No more wasting covered up outlets. This power strip includes 6 rotating outlets that keep power adapters out of the way and two fixed side outlets for good measure.
• Cable management hooks keep cords aligned and easily manageable. No more untangling and fussing with any chaotic cord situations.
• Don’t let outside electrical interference damage your devices. This surge protector filters outside interference to fuel your electronics with clean power while keeping your outlets safe.
• Protect your devices from electrical surges with 2160 joules of surge protection. A 2160 joule rating is top of the line and is the best option for handling multiple electronics and larger appliances like refrigerator. This ability makes it best power strip surge protector as per reddit community
• Tested and Proven to be a trusted partner. UL safety certified with a 5 year, 25k connected equipment warranty. Your electronics won’t be “hertz” with ECHOGEAR.

Recent Buyer Review

1-This is a great and versatile power strip. So many plugs are out now with the power adapter as part of the plug which typically is so big it covers the plugs next to it. This fixes that problem. Would buy it again.

2-Great product. If it had it had usb ports it would EVEN BETTER.

3-I like it. I can use various power adapters and straight plugs. No crowding.

7)- Witeem Power Strip with 12-Outlet Surge Protector and 4 USB Smart Charging Ports (5V/6A, 30W), 1875W/15A Circuit Breaker Multi Plug, Wall Mountable Overload Protection Outlet for Home & Office, Black

➤Power for All – 1875W/15A heavy duty design with 12 outlets/sockets in one powerstrip which allow you charge multi devices at the same time, suitable for most phones, tablets and other appliance. Note: Safety shutters have been designed to avoid that children and thoughtless adults put other objects that plugs into sockets. If you feel hard to plug in the socket, you could try to apply more force.
➤ Fast USB Charging Ports – Build in smart charging technology, the USB ports will detect your devices automatically and deliver the fastest charge speed up to 2.4A ( 5V/2.4 Max Each Port), 4 USB ports (Total 6A/30W) can charge almost any USB device.
➤ All-Round Protected – Witeem 2100 Joules Surge protector with overload protection protects against spikes and fluctuations, fire-retardant casing which is able to stand temperature up to 1382℉(750℃), and an internal safety shutter ensure peace of mind for you and your family. ETL Listed and FCC Certificated.
➤ Safe& Mountable – 4.9 ft pure copper heavy duty UL listed power cord andintegral copper bar improve product conductivity, durability and reduces heat build up. And mounting holes easily secure the surge protector to walls,baseboards, or furniture. Dimensions: 11.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inch
➤ What You Get – Witeem Surge Protector Power Strip with our friendly customer service will respond to you within 24 hours!

Recent Buyer Review:

This power strip is big in size and powerful in all the ways. The 12 outlets and 4 USB ports are just perfect for me to use it in my office desk, especially because there are lots of power cables flying on my desk which requires multiple small power strips . The neat-looking power strip helps to give rid of phone/iPad chargers out of my way finally. Good to have

8)- Cruise Power Strip No Surge Protector with USB Outlets – Ship Approved (Non Surge Protection) Cruise Essentials

• No Surge Protector & Without Extension Cord to be fully cruise ship compliant
• Adheres to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian and all major lines’ terms & conditions
• Three, 3-prong outlets and Two USB sockets for a total of Five [5] plugs at a time
• Mini size, Compact & Lightweight for easy Travel and Packing
• Guaranteed by Cruise On, your favorite Accessories brand with all of your Cruise Essentials stand it on smart surge protector reddit line

Recent Buyer Review:

I decided to wait to write my review until I had a chance to test this on my 7 day Royal Caribbean cruise in March 2019. We sailed on the Rhapsody of the Seas which only had two outlets and no USB ports in our cabin so this power strip was very useful. We put it to the test by plugging in a laptop, a Amazon Fire, 2 phones and a Nintendo Switch and it charged everything with no problems. It also has a green power indicator light which is a nice addition to let you know it is receiving power from the outlet. It’s smaller size also makes it easy to pack and Royal Caribbean had no issues with us using it. This is the perfect power strip for a cruise if you need more than 2 outlets.

9)- Echogear Low Profile Surge Protector Power Strip with 8 Outlets – Quality Surge Suppressor with 3420 Joules of Protection – Slim Design Easily Fits Behind Furniture – Mountable Universal Power Strip

• With 3420 Joules of premium surge protection, you can power and protect up to 8 devices at once. Rest easy, 3420J will protect all your expensive electronics for a long time.
• Low profile design is easily concealable behind or under furniture. Not using an outlet? The built-in safety covers keep your neighbor’s kid from jamming paper clips into it.
• Keeps your gear running better, longer by filtering harmful signals out of your power supply. Built with fire-proof MOVs (they absorb the extra voltage) to keep your house safe.
• Even your monster sized plugs are welcome here. With extra space between 3 of the outlets, you’ll avoid blocking other plugs. Plus, it’s wall mountable, so you’ll have power wherever you need it.Surely it is best large appliance surge protector.
• Don’t worry! We’ve been tested…for safety. UL certified surge protector includes a 5-year, $25k connected equipment warranty. Get amped about Echogear surge protection. Pun intended. 

Buyer Review:

1- The surge protector strip is just what I needed. Fits nicely behind furniture and handles the furniture I have plugged into it. I would recommend this one to whoever needs a surge protector power strip.

2- I use this to hide my cords behind my wall-mounted TV. It’s low profile enough to plug in the TV, Apple TV, PVR and sound bar, and still fit behind the low profile TV mount. It does have a green glow from the LEDs near the on/off switch, but it’s only visible at night with the lights off. If it really bugged me, I’d just cover it up with electrical tape. Overall, I’m very happy with this.