A valid recommendation defines how and where hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly dissipate. Well proven solutions were based in what Franklin demonstrated in 1752. He connected lightning harmlessly to earth via a wire. But not all incoming utility cables can connect directly to earth. So a protector makes that connection. If a protector does not make a short (ie 'less than 10 foot') connection to earth, then the protector is ineffective.

Responsible companies sell superior 'whole house' protectors. Names that any guy would know include Intermatic, Leviton, Square D, ABB, General Electric, and Siemens. An effective Cutler-Hammer solution sells in Lowes and Home Depot for less than $50. In each case, a protector has a dedicated wire to connect to the only thing that does surge protection - single point earth ground.

Direct lightning strikes are typically 20,000 amps. Any minimally sufficient protector must make direct lightning strikes irrelevant. A minimally sized 'whole house' protector starts at 50,000 amps. It earths direct lightning strikes. And remains functional. Any protector that fails during a surge is how ineffective protectors get promoted by the naive. A protector must earth any surge. And not fail. But again, concept well understood even 100 years ago when science is not replaced by urban myth.

No protector does protection. Just to be clear because this paragraph is confronting popular lies. No protector does protection. Either a protector connects 50,000 amps harmlessly to earth. Or the protector does what with hundreds of thousands of joules? Where does energy dissipate? Either harmlessly outside to earth, or destructively inside the building. Only you make that choice. Once energy is inside, then nothing can avert a destructive hunt. Nothing.

Nothing as in did you read the manufacturer numeric specs for that protector or line conditioner? Where are protection numbers for that magic box? Never provided.

Your telephone company's computer is connected by overhead wires to buildings all over town. Why do they not waste money on products from APC, Monster, Furman, Belkin, Tripplite, etc? Because they disconnect phone service everytime a storm approaches? Of course not. Did anyone learn how protection is always done when direct lightning strikes cause no damage? A telephone CO suffers about 100 surges with every thunderstorm. So every single wire in every incoming cable connects short to single point earth ground via a 'whole house' protector. Then even direct lightning strikes cause no damage.

But telcos want even better protection. So protectors are separated from electronics by up to 50 meters (150 feet). Greater separation means increased surge protection. The concept is called wire impedance. You need not learn it. But wire impedance is also why protectors adjacent to the protected appliance can even make appliance damage easier.

Describes above is how surge protection from even direct lightning strikes was done even 100 years ago. Responsible protector sources cited. A critical spec number define - 50,000 amps. And what must always exist to make any proetctor effective - that short (ie 'less than 10 foot') connection to single point ground. Do you want protection? Or would you like to be scammed by hearsay recommendations? Your choice. Why do so many others not even post those Furman manufacturer specs? Hearsay somehow replaces honesty.

Defined above is only 'secondary' protection. Also learn about the 'primary' surge protection system. Retail propaganda also will not discuss that critical protection layer.

Another 'whole house' protector was installed for free at every home even long before anyone here was born? Another protector critical to effective protection because every single incoming wire must first connect to single point earth ground. Protection is always about where energy dissipates. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground.