Ever wondered what happens to your home when it’s struck by lightning? It’s not all as simple as a flick of a switch on your electrical switchboard. The electrical charge that is caused by lightning or a surge will always take the shortest route to earth.
Your power supply and Telkom cables are only two examples of entry points into your property’s electrical system and will offer a path to ground level. Anything along the path of the current will be dealt some sort of damage. Even though you might think there is no way to avoid it, there are some measures you can take to minimize the damage.
The main idea is to make sure that the path taken by a strike or surge offers as little resistance as possible. Every property is designed and built differently, so a risk assessment would determine what steps you need to take to ensure you comply with the necessary regulations.
Take these steps to set up a line of defense for your home:
- Make sure that all entry points that expose your property are earthed to natural ground level. This also includes the plumbing system seeing as 99% of properties have either copper or galvanized piping installed.
- Install surge protection at the main power supply point to your property.
- Install designed surge protection devices at each electrical component of value, like a home automation system.
- If you don’t install surge protection, unplug your electronics and electrical appliances at the power point to ensure that your items are not damaged during the storm.
But why should I bother with protection against surges or strikes?
Every year, several lives are lost because properties are not properly earthed. Apart from this, is the inconvenience of going through the process to recover lost data and reinstalling electrical components, not to mention the costs thereof.
Call in the experts
It’s best to use the services of an electrical engineer with experience in lightning and power surges. Why not contact JoTa Engineering Services (visit www.jotaeng.co.za) and get the right advice to help you earth your property?
Every year, several lives are lost because properties are not properly earthed. Apart from this, is the inconvenience of going through the process to recover lost data and reinstalling electrical components, not to mention the costs thereof.
Call in the experts
It’s best to use the services of an electrical engineer with experience in lightning and power surges. Why not contact JoTa Engineering Services (visit www.jotaeng.co.za) and get the right advice to help you earth your property?
No comments:
Post a Comment