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Lightning Strike Fries System, Causes $8K in Damage
A installation he did at a hilltop home - with a partial copper roof - in Fulton, Miss. was struck by lightning. The system used power management from several companies.
But Hatfield was stunned by the results of the strike. On one side, an entire set of equipment secured by a surge protector (an unnamed brand) was fried, resulting in estimated damage of $8,000. It included two wall-mounted TVs, three Aprilaire thermostats, telephone hubs, an automation computer, and a controller.
But all the equipment in the A/V rack in the house was undamaged. The rack, which includes two DirecTV DVRs, two VM1-8 video matrix switchers, an audio router and audio router extender, two Marantz receivers and a 300-disc changer, a media server and one Denon receiver, was protected by Panamax's M4300-PM and M8-EX power conditioners and an MB1000 battery backup.
"Power management is a hard sell," Hatfield says. "I've never had a customer turn down surge protection, but most want the very minimum. But it's up to us to make sure that at a minimum, their equipment is completely protected in the event of a lightning strike or other power event. So if you take what you've learned about power and pass that knowledge on to the client so they can develop a better understanding, you're on the right track."
Since 2007, Hatfield Home Theater has been designing, selling, and installing professional audio and video systems. Hatfield has always specified power management into each of his client's system, but there's never been a catastrophic power event at one of his installations.
"This event was a real eye-opener for me, and if there's any advice I can give to other integrators, it's that they shouldn't assume all power management brands are the same," says Hatfield. "Installers should do their research. They should talk to other industry professionals to learn about their experiences with the different products out there, and should make an effort to learn more about power management in general. And of course, they should always include power protection in their installations."
"Until now, I had always assumed all power management brands offered the same levels of protection," he adds. "When looking ahead on a job, I had always focused on the components, and whether the customer would be happy with their A/V and control systems. I had never thought about what would happen if a house were hit by lightning, because I thought I had power protection covered. Now I know that such catastrophic events aren't an 'if,' they are a 'when.' And when it happens, it's a very big deal if you don't have the right power protection in place."
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5 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
As a broadcast engineer who has built quite a few radio stations and used the best power protection equipment money can buy… I have to agree with the above comment. Too many variables to determine what the strike might have actually done. Unless the entire power system is designed with lightning strike mitigation as a primary issue, you cannot just say that it was a particular brands fault for not protecting the equipment. I have seen 10,000 dollar surge protectors fail after a nearfield strike, and an el-cheapo do just fine.
TLDR; Power protection good in any case. Use it. Make customer sign waiver if they choose not to.
Interesting observation, however I agree with the two previous writers, much more needs to be know. For example, were both racks powered from the same circuit, was other equipment on that circuit, were both racks grounded, and did they have equal potential with respect to ground.
While having TVSS protection on all power circuits, the fact the house had copper roof and satellite dishes, and no receivers were damaged, the integrator has to think about all incoming circuits, to include TVSS on the satellite feeds, and also if there are service modems or interfaces, the POTS lines and data circuits. Also, all TVSS devices need to share a common ground point, as different potentials will only be diverted from the highest ground potential to the lowest.
Good article, but not an endorsement for Panamax, rather an endorsement for using TVSS and UPS on power (prevents re-programing after a power dip or if the TVSS cuts out for protection, but it neglects to state for a true umbrella, all incoming copper (especially copper with outdoor exposure like antennas or dishes, POTS lines) must also be protected. Partial protection is like using a condom with holes in it - risky business and provides only a feel good, but still leaves you exposed to risk.
Protection is key. 3 jobs over the summer were hit by lightening with surge protection. 1st job took a direct hit, with the above mentioned brands and all equipment was fried. Panamax surge still works though. Use it now as a multi-plug on pre-wires. 2nd job strike came from a lamp post at the street and fried surveillance equipment. Customer opted out of the SP, said that is what insurance is for. Third job strike was stopped by Panamax and off the shelf Home Depot surge. No damage to equipment.
Having done quite a bit of equipment replacement due to lightning strikes this year - I agree with everyone. Surge protection is very important. However - lightning is a bugger it will find any path it can. It doesn’t matter how much protection you have if you get a direct hit or nearby strike it is going to get something. We had a house this year that had the local power companies “whole house” protection - what a complete waste of money. The house took 2 hits in a month period. It has caused over 6k worth of damage. The power company came out and looked at their “surge protection gear” and said there had not been a surge. Best advice - protect at the head end on EVERYTHING and protect at the equipment too - don’t forget the network. Last but nit least make sure your clients have replacement insurance.
Lightning is a strange thing. There’s no way to know if the results would be opposite or the same in another strike. The “unnamed” system could be fine, and the Panamax side burned up if the lightning struck a different place.