Quote:
Originally Posted by strupgolf
Do you have lightening rods on the roof of your house? Would they help?
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Lightning seeks earth ground. A best connection is via the structure (ie wood) to earth. Since the structure is not very conductive, then a high voltage exists. Structure damaged.
Lightning rod simply connects that same current on a path that is very conductive and outside the structure. Lightning rod does not do the protection. That is only a connecting device. Lightning harmlessly dissipates in earth. Then structure is not damaged. Earth ground does the protection.
Lightning seeks earth ground. A best connection is via utility wires to earth. Since appliances are not very conductive, then a high voltage exists. Appliances damaged.
A properly earthed protector (not any plug-in one) connects that same current on a path that is very conductive and outside the structure. Protector does not do the protection. That is only a connecting device. Lightning harmlessly dissipate in earth. Then all appliances are not damaged. Earth ground does the protection.
Plug-in protectors have no earth ground connection. Do not claim to protect from destructive surges. And in some cases, can give lightning a destructive path to earth via nearby appliances. Both devices are called surge protectors. One does nothing useful - no earth ground. The other (that costs tens of times less money) makes that always required low impedance (ie less than 10 foot) connection to single point earth ground. That second (other) 'whole house' protector comes from other companies known by any guy for integrity.
A protector or lightning rod are only as effective as and are only connecting devices to what does all protection - earth ground.