Your system struck by lightning? What did you learn?


I'm really curious to learn from anyone who has suffered a lightning strike.  Did you use surge suppression? What survived? What did not? Were your neighbors worse or better off?

Anyone pay for the electrical service's monthly surge suppression in the meter?
erik_squires
There are also electrical panel protection systems that guard against surges from hits to the ground or hits to the main wiring miles away. These run about $500-$1000.


These can be a little cheaper. The Seimens BoltShield I just purchased was $150 and was plug and play for my panel. GE and Square D make even less expensive units. The problem with unplugging systems when not in use is that assumes you know when something bad will happen. We often do not, so I do go with the dual protection route, and if things get really dicey then I do unplug them because I’m squeamish.

Don’t forget to put a properly grounded surge protector on any coaxial cables that enter the home. A surge there can infiltrate your electronics and wreak havoc.
I also live in Central Florida and about 4 years ago we got hit. Everything connected to the copper Ethernet network was fried as the main point of entry was the coaxial drop from the cable company. From that lesson much more attention was paid to the low voltage points of entry. We pulled fiber optic cables through the attic and connected all the switches and router together with glass to fully isolate everything. 
We pulled fiber optic cables through the attic and connected all the switches and router together with glass to fully isolate everything.


That's funny because that's kind of what I'm thinking of doing.  Not that extensively. The whole house is wired for Ethernet, but I am going to put together a fiber gap between the modem and main house router.
You can also add coaxial gas tube arrestors upstream of the modem and off air antennas to add another layer. 
F Type Lightning Arrestor Female to Female Bulkhead with O-Ring 3GHz 75 ohm with 90V Gas Tube Discharge TV Surge Protector Surge Arrester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXQ4SV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8YYVZXTKYTYQZT6CFB3M
You can also add coaxial gas tube arrestors upstream of the modem and off air antennas to add another layer.


Heh, already ordered. :)