Surge
Protection FAQs
Should I continue to use my existing power strips?
What’s the difference between Cobb Energy’s Surge Protection system and what I can buy in the store?
Will Surge Protection stop blinking clocks?
Is this a lightning protection system?
Are there any equipment exclusions to the warranty?
Can this equipment be installed in any home?
Should I continue to use my existing power strips?
If you already have power strips, Cobb Energy recommends that you replace the ones protecting your electronics with those provided in your Surge Protection Kit, as the surge protectors provided are covered under the TESCO warranty. Cobb Energy’s Surge Protection system provides comprehensive protection for multiple household appliances and electronics through a utility grade exterior system at the most common entrance of damaging surges, the electric meter. But, through the provided surge strips, you receive a second layer of defense for your sensitive electronic equipment, which is consistent with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards and will maximize protection offered by this enhanced Surge Protection program.
Although rare, surges can enter your home through other means, including outdoor electric appliances and systems such as hot tubs, sprinkler systems, electronic pet systems and security systems.
What’s the difference between Cobb Energy’s Surge Protection system and what I can buy in the store?
There are several differences:
- Surge Protection is installed at the meter socket or breaker panel, protecting your in-home equipment before surges have a chance to enter.
- It protects household equipment including appliances and hard-wired systems not protected by power strips alone. Plus, it provides enhanced protection for household electronics.
- It provides protection beyond typical point-of-use power strips and plug-ins. Cobb Energy Surge Protection is tested up to 10,000 volts on the electric system. The point-of-use devices are tested up to 6,000 volts.
- The meter based unit passes the rigid testing requirements of the National Electric Energy Testing Research and Application Center.
It comes with the manufacturer’s warranty of up to $50,000 per incident for surges entering through a damaged, meter-based or panel arrestor. The point-of-use units also have a warranty from $250 to $2,500 for connected equipment damaged by surges entering through other routes such as the phone and cable lines.
Does the fact that there are surges mean the electricity my utility provides isn’t reliable or quality power?
No. Surges have nothing to do with power quality or outages. Surges generally take the form of an electrical transient or spike on the electrical power or communication lines. Lightning strikes or unusual events on the supplier’s electrical system such as a traffic accident, a downed tree or animals on power lines may cause these surges.
How does the product work?
The product senses a severe rise in voltage and passes the excess current through the internal protectors to the ground. This keeps the voltage that reaches equipment inside the home to a manageable level, thus increasing its life, or in many cases, saving it from being destroyed.
Will Surge Protection stop blinking clocks?
No. Surge protectors protect equipment from damage caused by too much power. Clocks and VCRs lose their programming from insufficient power caused by momentary interruptions or extended outages.
Is this a lightning protection system?
No product on the market will prevent lightning from striking a home nor will any product protect 100% against lightning damage. However, Cobb Energy Surge Protection will cover any protected equipment damaged by a lightning-induced surge entering the home through a failed TESCO Surge Protector at the electric service entrance or that damages electronics plugged into the point-of-use surge protectors.
Are there any equipment exclusions to the warranty?
Yes. Medical and life support equipment is expressly excluded, along with well pumps, pool pumps, detached buildings and some radio systems (see warranty for details).
Can this equipment be installed in any home?
Exclusions include apartments, rental homes, farmsteads and other homes not having meters mounted directly on the home. Only the property owner may authorize installation.
