Ruralite - October 2003
A newsletter for customers of Klickitat PUD

External Power Surges
External power surges can destroy or damage equipment in your home such as washers, dryers, refrigerators and other motor-driven appliances, as well as computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, microwaves and heat pumps. Forty percent of home electrical problems are caused by external events such as lightning, power line switching and "bumps" caused by power lines slapping together. There can also be problems when an outage occurs and power is restored.

A power "surge" is an event that causes elevations in voltage that last longer than 20 milliseconds and may damage delicate electronic circuitry. Your sensitive electronic equipment can be protected with a meter base surge arrestor from Klickitat PUD for only $4.50 per month. The devices are for 200 amp residential services, and protect your home against external power surges.

These surge arrestors come with a warranty against damage from power surges that come through your home's electric meter. The warranty covers damage to electro-mechanical equipment including home appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators and other motor-driven appliances. It also covers electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, microwaves and heat pumps. The warranty is good for up to $50,000 for each event, as long as your building wiring and other connections to protect equipment conform to NEC codes.

Installation of the surge arresting devices is free, and if a problem should occur with the surge arrestor, KPUD will be happy to replace it at no additional charge, and will process your warranty paperwork. To make arrangements for installation contact Miquette Ihrig at 509-773-7622 in Klickitat PUD's Energy Services Department.

Internal Power Surges
It is also very important to remember to protect against internal power surges as well. Klickitat PUD recommends that in addition to your meter base surge arrestor, each piece of equipment in your home be connected to a plug-in surge suppressor.