Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian Robinson
Insurance claim .
Power surge , providing the sparky and the technician puts that was the cause on their written reports .
Bit of luck you'll get a new VCR and a new telescope and new computer gear cf of the insurance company.
Um this is one of the reasons why you paid for insurance is it not , so I'd not hesitate to put in my claim immediately , otherwize , why bother being insured at all.
It's also possible to cover pets under the household policy , we don't have any pets so don't have the need for it as an add on, was your dog covered ?
BTW surge arresting powerboards are not protection from lightning strikes , they are simply overwhelmed by the surge that results , turning power off at the switch is not either as there is still connection for the current to arc across the gap.
Only sure protection is to pull the plug out of the wall.
This is the reason why my permanent observing shed will NOT be connected to the mains , but will be DC powered from batteries , maybe I'll invest in a small portable generator if I need more current.
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No pet insurance on our policy but that might be a good idea?
Well there was no surge through the mains, more like a electromagnetic induced spike from the nearby strike. Everything plugged in the mains in the obs was fine, well except the house. VCR up and running with a new fuse but the ceiling fan (IR remote unit was toasted) and have put in a new fan this arvo.
I remember a few years back at my other property there was a big storm and I was leaning against my aluminum caravan when lightning struck a tree a few hundred metres away and boy did I get a shock from the van! Made my arm tingle for some time afterwards. Killed the Caravan fridge but! Strange stuff is that lightning in what it kills and what it misses..
Ric,
I think you might be better off having a good earth stake maybe connected to the observatory roof (if metal) to take it to ground and have good foil insulation also grounded?.
Also have those earth leakage breakers and a surge board. I don`t think you can do much more than that? but they are all quiet useless with a direct strike..
Thanks guys for your thoughts...
