Lightning damage can be devastating, costing the insurance industry billions of dollars each year while causing deadly fires and destructive power surges in the blink of an eye. Every home and business should be prepared before it strikes.
Did you know there are an average of 25 million lightning strikes detected each year in the United States? A single lightning bolt is about 50,000°F, or 5X hotter than the sun’s surface. The average lightning bolt could light a 100 watt light bulb non-stop for about 3 months. The average annual loss from severe thunderstorms is second only to hurricanes in the United States.
What you can do. Install a lightning protection system in all high-risk locations. This includes lightning rods, down conductors, a grounding system for all metal vents, and elevated metal appurtenances and ground rods. Install surge protection devices at the meter, main panel, and point of use. Finally, have the electrical system and the grounding components surveyed by an electrician to ensure they are up to the current code.
