[TowerTalk] TowerTalk Digest, Vol 91, Issue 84 SURGE Protection Sprcial

[jimlux]

Mike Fatchett wrote:
> I put a similar device on my meter here in Montana.  I was losing 
> electronics fairly regularly, mostly cheap cordless phones.  No problems 
> since and there is a guarantee with coverage limits.
> 
> I think I was charged a flat fee for the device of around $120.00.  Why 
> pay for a monthly fee.  That seems shady to me. Call your power company 
> and ask them what they recommend.  The power company will probably want 
> to install it since they get touchy about people messing with the meters.
> 


the monthly fee is a reasonable way to go (assuming it's not unreasonable)..

The consumer's not out the capital investment. (several hundred bucks 
for a good one including the installaton)
The meter reader can check the status once a month, and if it fails, 
they can come out and replace it
It can be regularly replaced (if it has MOVs in it, they gradually die, 
each time they take a hit) on a decent schedule.


Your point about the utility being the one who fools with the meter is a 
good one.  TYpically, if the seal is broken, they get kind of antsy 
about possible "theft of services"