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| Overview | T's & C's/Warranty | Videos | FAQ | Order Now |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do I need surge protection? A. Today's electronic equipment contains sensitive micro-processors. Almost any power disturbance can cause interruption or damage. Low-level surges can cause stress on the circuits leading to early failure. High-level surges can result in immediate destruction of expensive circuitry. Customers are faced with many choices for surge protection and are provided with a false sense of security when they purchase a low cost plug-in suppressor thinking that it will provide them with adequate protection.
Q. Why are there two stages of surge protection?
A. Stage 1 surge protection (surge arrester) redirects or reduces high voltage surges at the point they enter your home, the meter-base. Stage 2 (surge suppressor) goes a step further by protecting sensitive electronics at the point-of-use.
Q. What can I do to protect my home?
A. Utility-grade products provide the highest quality in surge protection. LCEC's surgeSENSE program offers you a way to help protect yourself against the constant danger of power surges. surgeSENSE components are specially manufactured to meet LCEC's high engineering standard and are backed by the manufacturer's extensive product warranties.
Q. Do all surges cause damage?
A. No, but they can wear away at sensitive electronics and other equipment within your home. An electronic device that may be designed to last for 15 years may only last 8 years or less if it is constantly hit with small surges.
Q. Do surge suppressors protect against direct lightning strikes?
A. No. There is nothing that can protect against a direct lightning strike. However, about 95 percent of lightning-related damage to customer equipment is from "indirect" lightning strikes. Quality surge protection equipment is designed to block indirect strikes.
Q. Why doesn’t the utility take steps to reduce surges?
A. We do! Lightning arresters are installed throughout the system. They reduce the risk but can not completely eliminate the risk of damage.
Q. How to "utility" plug-in suppressors compare from local retail suppressors?
A. Utility-based surge suppressors are built to perform under high surge conditions, they use large surge elements in multiple stages, and they handle over six times the sure energy as locally available products.
Q. What types of appliances are protected by a meter-base surge arrester?
A. Large motor driven appliances, such as air conditioners, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers and garbage disposals, are protected from surges resulting from routine power fluctuations.
The meter-base surge arrester CANNOT guarantee protection against:
- Direct or close proximity lightening strikes that create events other than surges (i.e. magnetic field induction, phone/cable/satellite line surges, etc.)
- Catastrophic failure of electrical equipment
- Short-cycling of electrical equipment (motors, compressors, etc.)
- Sustained low-voltage
- Sustained over-voltage
Q. Are sensitive electronics located within equipment protected?
A. Sensitive electronics located within equipment can ONLY be protected by Stage 2 surge suppressors (power strips, battery back-ups, etc.) which are specifically designed for that purpose. Some equipment such as stoves and clothes dryers that contain electronics cannot be protected by secondary devices because of their plug design.