Surge facts

Today’s electronic equipment contains sensitive microprocessors. Almost any power disturbances can cause interruption or damage.

Low-level surges can cause stress on circuits, leading to early failure. High-level surges can result in immediate destruction of expensive circuitry.

Surges in voltage levels are caused by many different events. Lightning can be a common cause. Accidents involving power poles and contact by birds and animals can also generate damaging surges.

Surges can be generated within your home by large appliance motors switching on and off.

LCEC’s surgeSENSE program provides quality surge protection. The arrester meets LCEC’s high engineering standards and is backed by the manufacturer’s product warranty.

For additional information, call
239-656-2300

 

 

 

 

 

LCEC’s Surge Protection Program

What is a surge?

A power surge, or Transient Voltage Surge (TVS), is a short duration (50-500 milliseconds) voltage spike of 100 to 6,000 volts above normal, that enters your home through your electrical system. The sensitive microprocessors in your electronics can be damaged by the long-term effects of small power surges.

In Southwest Florida, storm season poses many threats to homeowners, including costly damage due to power surges. A power surge can be caused by a lightning strike impacting nearby power equipment, accidents, trees and animals that interfere with power lines.

What most people don’t know is that about 60 percent of surges occur inside the home from microwave ovens or air conditioning motors—even turning your lights off and on.

Dual-Stage Protection

Built-in appliance fuses and home circuit breakers only protect home wiring or appliances from high current conditions resulting in possible fire. LCEC’s surgeSENSE program protects your major appliances from harmful transient surges.

To provide the best protection for your appliances and electronics, LCEC recommends a dual-stage approach:

Stage 1:
Meter-Based protection is a heavy-duty surge arrester installed at the electric meter by an LCEC technician. This redirects high voltage at the point where it enters the home and protects major appliances such as air conditioners, washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves and garbage disposals.

Stage 2:
Point-of-Use (POU) protection are plug-in surge protection devices designed to protect your sensitive electronics such as computers, televisions, VCRs, DVDs, microwaves and garage door openers.

STAGE 1 METER-BASED PROTECTION

	LEASE	PURCHASE
Equipment	$5.95/month*	$188.50
Set-Up Fee	$45.00	None
Relocation Fee (Only in LCEC Territory)	None	$119.95
Contract Required	Yes	N/A
Minimum Term	24 months	N/A
*At the end of the minimum 24-month lease contract, the meter-based arrester is returned to LCEC if the customer chooses not to continue leasing on a month-to-month basis. Payment is required prior to installation. A Remote Access Charge of $100 plus tax may apply. Your electric service will be interrupted for 5-10 minutes at the time of installation.

STAGE 2 POINT-OF-USE PRODUCTS

LCEC recommends a two-stage approach to protect your home. Utility-grade point-of-use products can be purchased through spikestop.com.

Enter "LCEC" to receive a customer discount of 15% on all your point-of-use purchases.