Properly sized protector

by w_tom - 7/14/13 2:45 PM

In Reply to: Lightning arrestors and surge protectors by mjd420nova

No properly sized protector is sacrificial. A sacrificial protector tells every consumer that the device is ineffective. Is probably a profit center. Designed to fail on a first surge so that naive consumers will recommend it. And in some cases has created house fires.

Provided were numbers that define effective protectors (not sacrificial). For lightning protection and other surges, one 'whole house' protector is at least 50,000 amps. So that even direct lightning strikes (typically 20,000 amps) do not damage a protector.

Protectors that are sacrificial are recommended only subjectively. without any manufacturer spec numbers.. No numbers is a first indication of a recommendation using hearsay or myth.

Why do more responsible companies market protectors to earth direct lightning strikes and remain functional? How does every consumer know the difference between sacrificial profit centers and effective protectors? Informed consumers also demand 'reasons why' with numbers.

Protectors that are sacrificial do not claim to protect from lightning and other typically destructive surges (created by stray cars, utility switching, or other 'clear sky' faults). Consumers of those devices then claim, "No protector does lightning protection." Nonsense. Protectors recommended to protect even from direct lightning strikes were recommended with the reasons why. Based upon over 100 years of experience. With numbers. And from companies known for their integrity.

Two completely different protectors unfortunately share a common name. Protectors that do not protect from destructive surges (ie lightning). And completely different devices that will even earth direct lightning strikes and remain functional. So that a homeowner does not even know a surge existed. But again, a number repeatedlyl ignored by subjective denials: >= 50,000 amps.