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Don't Let Lightning Zap Your Appliances

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: July 1, 2008

SEBRING — Thunderstorms are back, bringing with them the added risk of power surges by lightning strikes.

Almost anything plugged into the wall receptacle can be damaged. Refrigerators, ceiling fans, the phone and even swimming pool pumps are not immune.

Typically, it's the TV or computer that most often require repair or replacement.

Damage can occur year-round from several sources other then lightning strikes. Surges often affect power users when swinging utility lines strain connections or a power company switches loads.

Robert Hodge is "Mr. Electric" and director of the apprenticeship program at South Florida Community College.

Computer modems are the most often damaged electrical device in homes when power surges flow through the phone lines, said Hodge.

Mr. Electric suggested disconnecting appliances from electrical outlets, but also the phone line from a computer, when not in use.

Mike Cantin, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Ruskin, said daily thunderstorms are "virtually guaranteed" in Highlands County during July and August.

Cantin said 100 days of lightning strikes a year are common in Florida, the lightning capital of North America.

Plenty of moisture, heat and lift attract thunderstorms. Collisions between weather systems from both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean often occur above the county.

"Lightning has no boundaries," said Lesley Roseval, manager of L & J Electronics.

"Unplug the television set from the receptacle as well as the cable," said Roseval. "It's fool proof advice."

Roseval said snowbirds should take particular heed to a simple suggestion – and often a real money saver: Disconnect everything electrical in the house when headed north.

Although thunderstorms most often rage during the summer, the return of snowbirds to homes empty for months with electronics still plugged in, is his busiest time of the year for repairs from power surges.

"All they have to do is unplug," said Roseval.

Fortunately, with larger price tags and bigger screen areas, nine out of 10 surge-singed TVs are repairable, rather than disposable, said the manager of L & J.

Hodge and Roseval agreed that the next best thing to unplugging appliances is to use surge protectors, especially with the refrigerator, which stays plugged in.

While no device is fully immune from power surges, Hodge recommended, "surgeassure," a homewide protector of electrical equipment which costs $495, including installation charges by a certified electrician.

With more than 100 surgeassure protectors in use, after installation by Home Depot through Hodge, Mr. Electric has never received a complaint of a blown TV or computer.

Although conventional plug-ins often are used, they are no guarantees that appliances won't be damaged. Often, plugs-ins take the brunt of a surge and are destroyed.

"They're a lot safer, up to a certain point," said Hodge. "They sacrifice to save."

Bill Rettew Jr. can be reached at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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