What causes power surges and power spikes?

Power surges and power spikes can occur at any time, not just when the power is restored after an outage. Surges and spikes can also result from lightning strikes, downed power lines, and even your household appliances.

Why do I need special protection for my home?

Electronics are becoming increasingly sophisticated and utilize technology that was not even conceived of just five years ago. Items including televisions, stereos, modems, microwaves, home computers, VCRs, and telephone systems are damaged by even small voltage changes. Part of the danger is that the damage from small surges can add up over time and may eventually shorten the life of your equipment or even destroy it.

Don't fuses and circuit breakers protect against these surges?

No. Fuses and circuit breakers (both thermal and magnetic) respond to heat and currents caused by faults within the home. They do not protect your household appliances and electronic equipment from surges and spikes that come from outside the home or through the phone or cable lines.

Is it just my computer that needs protection?

No. Any microprocessor device is vulnerable to damage or disruption and should be protected. You will also want to be sure to protect all phones, as a person can be seriously injured while talking on a phone during a storm.

What is a microprocessor?

It is a small computer processor contained on a single integrated circuit chip. Microprocessors are the heart of any computer or most other electronic devices that require more than simple ON/OFF control. Computer processors are capable of processing input data and responding with programmed decisions to control a device, such as an electronic coffee maker programmed to turn off when brewing is completed. Microprocessors can do three basic things:

• perform mathematical functions,
• move data,
• make decisions and move to a new set of instructions based on data.

What is a transient?

A brief (sometimes one second or less) spike or dip in electrical voltage (strength) or electrical current (flow).

What does the Whole House Surge Device protect?

The whole house device is the first stage, heavy-duty filter for power line disturbances. It will help protect household items such as refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, trash compactors, air conditioners, garbage disposals, and electric stoves.

How do I protect all my devices?

HomeGuardŽ Surge Protection service is a dual stage approach to protection against harmful surges. We recommend both stages in order to adequately protect your house form the danger of surges. The first stage is the whole house device that is installed at the service point entry, the electric meter. This protects most of your major appliances.

The second stage is the plug-in surge suppressor strips. We have put together a package of five strips to protect your smaller appliances and sensitive electronic equipment. As long as you have both stages you are getting the best protection available.

A customer must have both the whole house surge protector and the individual devices to qualify for the warranties on the electronic equipment.

What doesn't the service protect?

It does not cover well pumps, swimming pool pumps or other devices that are located outdoors. Medical and life support equipment is also excluded.

How long will my protection devices last?

Under normal operation, the devices will operate indefinitely. The devices have been engineered by an industry leading manufacturer. A world class test facility assures maximum design efficiencies, and a factory following ISO 9001 process controls, assures maximum accuracy, quality, and dependability. The manufacturer, EFI, demonstrates its faith in the products with a 15-year product warranty (PDF:303KB) and lifetime connected equipment protection plan for the whole house device, and a lifetime product warranty and lifetime connected equipment protection plan on the plug-in products.

Is there a warranty?

Yes. All devices provided by the manufacturer through our service carry a limited warranty (PDF:303KB), from the manufacturer, EFI Electronics Corporation. The meter based surge protection device is covered by a 15-year warranty and a lifetime connected equipment warranty. The items covered are your major, "white" appliances such as washer, dryer, refrigerator, and freezer. The point of use, plug-in surge protection devices are covered by a lifetime warranty on the devices themselves, and a lifetime warranty covering connected equipment such as televisions and computers.

Do I need to be home for the installation?

If we have access to the electric meter you do not need to be home. We will need to make arrangements if the electric meter is not accessible by us.

Will my power have to be turned off?

Yes. Our trained installers will need to disconnect your service for approximately 15 minutes while they install the whole house surge protector at the electric meter.

How do I know if the surge protection devices are still working?

There is a green light on the meter based device which indicates the product status. If the light is out, call CL&P at 1-888-562-0067 to have the product replaced. In addition, each of your plug-in surge suppressor devices is equipped with an indicator light which is lit when the device is operational. If the light on the plug-in strip goes out, please contact the manufacturer, EFI Electronics, for replacement at 1-800-877-1174, x-407.

How do I know if the telephone or cable is blown?

If the telephone or cable portion of the device fails -- the telephone line or cable service is interrupted and appears to be "dead" -- in many cases the service can be established by connecting the cable or phone line directly into the wall. Call the manufacturer, EFI Electronics, at 1-800-877-1174, x-407 for directions to return your suppressor for replacement.

Can I get more than five surge suppressor strips?

Yes. When the strips arrive at your home, there will be an order form in the package for you to order additional devices.

What does this service cost?

There is an initial installation fee of $62 plus $4.95 a month for a minimum of a one-year term.