There are more lightning strikes per square mile in Florida than in any other state in the country. Floridians are used to lightning storms and the damage they can cause. While you can’t prevent all the damage these storms create, you can install electrical protection in your home or business, cutting down the chances of your suffering damage or financial loss because of lightning strikes. Lightning protection comes in many forms, and each one can cover a portion of your property or one type of belonging. One size doesn’t fit all. You have to look at your particular needs before contacting a commercial electrical contractor to install your own lightning protection.
Fire Damage
The largest danger, certainly in terms of money, is from fire caused by lightning bolts striking buildings. Lightning rods, or air terminals, take the energy from a lightning strike and direct it to a grounding pad in the soil beside the building, keeping the energy from catching the roof on fire. Many people believe that lightning rods attract lightning. They don’t. What they do is take care of lightning that’s going to strike your building, anyway, changing it from dangerous to harmless.
Data
Almost every home and business has multiple places that store data of one kind or another. The electrical surge from a lightning strike can ruin sensitive hardware and erase years of saved data. Among the vulnerable machines are:
- Desktop computers
- High definition televisions
- Game consoles
- High end stereos
- Laptops and tablets plugged into chargers
Any piece of electronic gear not plugged into some sort of surge protection is likely to suffer data loss or complete breakdown in the event of even a minor power surge caused by lightning. The best protection you can have is a combination surge suppressor and mini power source that minimizes the damage from the original surge, plus provides power so you can shut down your electronics in case of a power outage.
Insurance
Almost every insurance company in the country offers discounts for providing lightning protection. In some parts of the state, it may be a required portion of your policy, especially for some business plans. Anything that minimizes the chance of danger and loss is a smart financial move, and insurance companies recognize this. Check with your insurance broker to find out how much of a discount you can get by installing extra electrical protection.
Landscaping
Landscaping adds to the value of your home or business. You may have hedges or high bushes installed, or even tall trees on your property. In a storm, lightning is likely to hit the tallest object around, and this is often a large heirloom tree that’s been on the property for decades. If the tree isn’t protected, it can catch on fire or even be killed outright. A commercial electrical contractor can install lightning protection on your biggest trees. These systems include copper poles that lead lightning to the ground, keeping the power away from the tree itself in case of a lightning strike. Installing one strategic piece of lightning protection can save your trees, or avoid damage to your roof from broken branches due to lightning striking the heart of the tree.
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