Commercial Maintenance Matters^sm

Property losses related to lightning strikes exceed $1 billion annually, according to insurance industry data. These losses can range from damage to expensive electronic equipment to structure fires that destroy an entire house or business.

Reducing the risk of lightning damage:

• Install a whole-house surge protector for your home or business
• Include protection for electrical, telephone, and cable or satellite TV lines entering the house.
• The surge protector must be a secondary surge arrester that is tested to IEEE C62.11or a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) that has been tested to UL 1449, 2nd Edition.
• The protector should be installed in accordance with Article 280 or Article 285 of the National Electrical Code (as is applicable) and must have a working indicator light.
• The structure's electrical system should be properly grounded in accordance with Article 250 of the National Electrical Code.
• It is important that all utilities (telephone, electrical, and cable or satellite TV) be bonded to the same grounding point. This will ensure proper operation of the surge protection system. This will prevent ground potentials from developing on the electrical system.
• All utilities (telephone, electrical, and cable or satellite TV lines) should enter the structure within 10 feet of electrical service entrance ground wire.
• Install arc fault circuit interrupters on all electrical circuits.