Is There A Way To Repair Stereo Equipment After A Lightning Strike

Surge and Lightning Damage to Electronics

Surge and lightning damage to electronics is a frequent occurrence, particularly in the summer months. A recent analysis of 2022 homeowner's insurance claims by Insurance Information Plant revealed that over $825 one thousand thousand was paid on more than than 100,000 lightning claims. This represents a near x% increase in the number of lightning claims filed in 2022 over 2022, though it is still below the 10-year boilerplate.

Perhaps more than significant for insurance carriers is the fact that the average price per residential lightning claim has risen over xl% since 2007 (3), which is indicative of the increase in the number of electronics susceptible to lightning- and surge-related damages per dwelling. This figure is expected to continue to rise as a growing number of homeowners install connected smart dwelling components. Depending on the level of integration, home automation equipment tin can speedily become expensive to repair or supplant. For smart home components assessed by our technicians for surge or lightning damage last yr, the average cost to replace was nearly $3,500, and the boilerplate cost to repair was roughly $850.

Lightning Damage to Electronics

Lightning typically damages electronics in one of two means. The starting time is a straight lightning strike to the habitation, which is an infrequent occurrence. A direct lightning strike volition crusade significant harm to electrical and nonelectrical items in the home. In many instances, this volition first a fire, oftentimes in the wiring within the walls or the attic. It tin can also cause structural damage to the roof, chimney, or sometimes the windows or foundation (Storm Highway). Moreover, electronics plugged into an electric system that receives a straight lightning strike typically cannot be protected by a surge protector.

The more common scenario is for a nearby lightning strike to enter the home through wires or pipes that extend outside the home. The energy from a nearby lightning strike tin travel through communication wires (such as telephone, internet, or cable wires), directly from a utility pole into the home'due south electric console, or through conductive metal (such equally plumbing or metallic bars in the foundation) (NWS). Damage from this blazon of event is generally less severe than that of a straight strike.

Electrical Systems

The electrical system of a home or business organization is one of the virtually frequent points of entry of increased voltage from a lightning or surge event. When lightning strikes a nearby electric line, it travels the path of least resistance from the power line to the meter so into the dwelling's electrical panel. If the electrical panel is equipped with a whole-house surge protection device, the surge volition end there.

If the surge is not stopped at the electrical panel, it can then travel over the surface of the wiring to the habitation, burning the insulation and fusing the wires together. Moreover, information technology can travel through the wiring to the outlets and damage electronics non plugged into a bespeak-of-utilize surge protector. Considering the wiring is within the walls of the belongings, information technology tin be difficult (and costly) to determine the extent of the damage.

Lightning damage to electrical panel Lightning damage to an electrical panel

Consumer Electronics

If lightning travels into the home through the wiring or through communication cables (such equally those used for cyberspace, cable TV, or phone), it can cause serious damage to any electronics not properly continued to a point-of-utilize surge protector. Consumer electronics, such every bit computers, televisions, and gaming systems, all utilise an integrated excursion, which is extremely susceptible to damage from a voltage overload acquired by a surge (eHow).

Fortunately, if these types of electronics are properly connected to a quality surge protector, they can be safeguarded from voltage fluctuations. An important thing to keep in mind is that the energy from a lightning strike tin can travel through communication cables that are connected to a cable box, phone, or modem. If these cables are non besides properly connected to a surge protector, the overvoltage can travel into the device that it is straight connected to and damage the circuit lath.

Large Appliances

Large appliances (such every bit a washer, dryer, range, refrigerator, well pump, water heater, etc.) are also vulnerable to surge and lightning impairment. How susceptible a big apparatus is depends on whether it uses mechanical or electronic controls. If the apparatus but uses a mechanical control, it volition typically exist able to withstand most surges without sustaining any damage. However, if the strike is directly to the edifice or to a very close power pole, the event may still damage the apparatus (NIST).

Large appliances that utilize electronic controls are much more sensitive to surge impairment from a lightning strike. If the surge travels through the wiring to the outlet that appliance is connected to, it can damage the apparatus's control board.

Lightning Damage - Dryer Lightning harm to electrical dryer

Puddle and Irrigation Equipment

Pool and irrigation equipment are connected to a large expanse of pipes, which provide a directly path to the system's electronic controls. These controls typically have solid-state components that are sensitive to voltage surges. However, specialized surge protectors can save these expensive pieces of equipment from damage.

Lightning Damage - Irrigation Controller Lightning damage to an irrigation controller

What does this hateful for insurance carriers?

Lightning- and surge-related events tin severely damage a home'southward electric system and the electronics connected to it. Equally the number (and value) of the electric contents of a domicile increases with newly developed technologies, we expect to see the average cost per residential lightning claim to go on to rise. Additionally, The Journal of Science predicts an increase in the number of lightning strikes every bit the globe'southward temperature warms. This illustrates the significance of insurance carriers developing a standardized method for treatment lightning damage claims to better control their indemnity leakage exposure.

Ane way this tin can be accomplished is by utilizing an objective adept to thoroughly investigate electronics claimed in lightning losses, to verify the crusade of loss and recommend an appropriate action to return the insured to pre-loss condition. Additionally, an independent 3rd party tin can ensure that carriers are only paying on valid claims. In 2022, 13% of items claimed in lightning and surge losses were in proper working condition at the time of StrikeCheck'southward assessment, further exemplifying the need for a thorough investigation.