For "whole house" surge protection I have been using (for about
10 years) Cutler-Hammer model CHSA Surge Arrestors in each of my
breaker panels. The units simply snap-in in place of a breaker
unit. They should be mounted as close to the top of the breaker
panel as possible. They have had a HUGE positive effect. I used
to get a lot of hits before my recent tower take down project,
and have never had a problem with any ham gear being affected.
Early on however, we had a couple of light switches blown out and
thereafter I installed the Cutler-Hammer surge protectors in the
breaker panels. Since that time, and after numerous hits, we
never had any indication at all of anything happening other than
a big BOOM.
The current Cutler-Hammer model is a CHSP-MAX and is an external
unit wired to any 2-pole 15A breaker mounted near top of panel.
They sell for $50-$75, according to my local Cutler-Hammer ham
friend.
There are obviously other models of the same thing by other
companies. Properly installed they are well worth the money.
Cutler-Hammer recommends using additional surge protection at the
location of specific appliances. This same advice is probably
also true for other manufacturers.
These things really do work. They are an addition to, and not a
substitute for, the basic grounding techniques for your ham radio
station. If you do a sloppy job of grounding your antennas and
station then a lightning strike will spell disaster no matter
what else you have done.
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of
mcduffie@actcom.net
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 8:21 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Lightning, surge protection
On Fri, 07 Nov 2003 07:15:39 -0500, Pete Smith wrote:
> Our local power company offers a surge suppressor for the whole
house that
> is installed in a cylindrical housing between the meter and the
> house. They lease it to you for about $3.50 as month, and I
figured at
> that rate I'll be long gone by the time it comes up tom the
cost of a
> suppressor installed at the panel (including the electrician's
> wages). Worth checking to see if your power company offers the
same deal.
I haven't been monitoring this thread, so I don't know if this
has
been brought up before or not. You can buy whole house
protectors
at your local electrical supply for $35. It is a three wire
device
that goes across the whole line, 120-0-120, and clamps around
175V.
I've used these since the early 70s. One brand is Joslyn (Z2 175
0A). The 4-wire 208 3-phase version, for those who have a real
bunker amp, is Z3 175 0A.
They now have a visual indicator to let you know when it is time
to
replace it because it has absorbed its quota. Back in the old
days,
the GE version cost $12.50 before the marketing department
decided
they were worth several times that.
Gary
--
a g 0 n at a r r l dot n e t
http colon slash slash mcduffie dot ws
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers",
"Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free,
1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
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