08
May
GET MY FREE PDF 26 pages. The power surge blows electrical equipment off walls knocks down lighting fixtures melts wiring and.
If lightning hits near your home this could potentially lead to a shortage in the wiring of your favorite electronics.
House hit by lightning electrical problems. Here are some of the most common problems caused by lightning. Lightning travels from the clouds to the ground from the fastest path. Sometimes this path is the wiring or the plumbing system of your house causing a power surge.
Power surges can also be caused if lightning strikes a power line in your neighborhood. About 50 percent of the damage that I see in homes hit by lightning is from an electrical surge that comes in on the communication lines Berwick Project Manager Terry Schnieder explained. I would recommend that people install surge protection devices on.
Electricity generates heat and when lightning comes into contact with wood and other flammable materials things catch fire. Thats the reason why you should call the fire department to ensure that theres no fire risk after your house is hit by lightning. You should also call your electrician for any electrical repair.
Lightning strikes can cause damage to many items in a house. The most suspectable items are GFI outlets any electronic machines TV computers audio equipment etc dimmers switches and elements of an electric rangeoven and yes garage door openers. In many cases lightning will find its way to the ground via a homes electrical wiring which can damage all devices and appliances that are connected to the electrical system.
Too much electrical pressure on the delicate electrical wires and components inside your computer tv or another device can cause them to burn short and stop working. See LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM DAMAGED UNSAFE. The surge caused by a nearby lightning strike can cause serious damage to many building components electrical plumbing even structural and siding trim appliances etc.
Even if the lightning bolt did not strike the home directly. A direct lightning strike will cause significant damage to electrical and nonelectrical items in the home. In many instances this will start a fire often in the wiring within the walls or the attic.
It can also cause structural damage to the roof chimney or sometimes the windows or foundation Storm Highway. John I have repaired several homes that have been struck by lightning many of varying degrees of damage. The worst one destroyed every electrical and electronic device in the home and the lightning surge actually blew the wire cable jacket open where the voltage went to ground to a gas pipe in the attic where the cable crossed the pipe.
Lightning Damage at My Mothers House. On 2014-06-09June 9 2014 at approximately 300 AM lighning struck a large oak tree at the side of my mothers. Lightning strikes can cause damage to home electrical systems and electrical devices such as a ceiling fan.
It would be best to have the ceiling fan and the electrical wiring checked and inspected to find out the extent of the damage and then make the necessary repairs as needed. Signs of a home struck by lightning if siding is present on the home you can often see black scorch marks on the siding located around the perimeter of the home. Concealed Lightning Strike Damage to Electrical Wiring.
Damage from lightning however can also be concealed inside of walls. It is capable of traveling thousands of feet or more so lightning will hit pretty much anything. There have been cases of lightning striking your home causing lights to go out or even starting a fire.
This can result in electrical problems that is caused by passing a current through a metal wires. According to the NLSI National Lightning Safety Institute there is a 1 in 200 chance of any structure being hit by lightning. Thats more common than a lot of people might have thought including me but I should not be surprised.
Because of my line of business I see tons of lightning strike damage to homes and commercial property. Believe it or not concrete can conduct electricity fairly well. If lightning hits near your home this could potentially lead to a shortage in the wiring of your favorite electronics.
This is common sense but always is worth repeating. As the old adage goes when lightning roars stay indoors. Close windows and doors.
While it is rare yes it is possible to receive a lightning injury inside a house. Burns and electric shock injuries can occur when someone is in direct contact with one of lightnings chosen paths to ground. The most common indoor lightning injuries involve a person talking on a corded phone or resting onlooking out of a metal-framed window.
12 Signs Your House Was Struck by Lightning. You Hear a Massively Loud Explosive or Boom Sound. You Hear Buzzing or Hissing Sounds Afterward.
Interior and Exterior Smoke or Fires including your roof attic basement trees etc Electrical Fire Smell. Charred Marks on your Roof in Your Attic and Anywhere in Your Home. If lightning has already struck your home or has been observed in your area however avoid any contact with electrical wires or cords.
Lightning can travel long distances in both phone and electrical wires particularly in rural areas. In fact telephone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States. If lightning does hit your house chances are a few things may happen.
Lets look over what you need to look for in the aftermath. Make sure no one is hurt. If someone has suffered any harm seek medical assistance immediately.
When in doubt dial 911. Look for signs of a fire Smoke charred electrical outlets or heat from your attic etc. Electrical Surge Damage.
When lightning hits your home it can sound like a bomb explosion with an impact that shakes the house as it courses through conductive materials. The power surge blows electrical equipment off walls knocks down lighting fixtures melts wiring and. What Happens When Lightning Strikes The Home If your home has been directly hit by lightning first call the fire department to have them check everything out.
Lightning could strike anywhere on the home which could lead to fire but will most likely cause surge damage. GET MY FREE PDF 26 pages. When lightning strikes the utility companys power lines or the telephone companys lines voltage as great as 56000 volts is generated that rushes through your homes wiring destroying.
The rule is if you can hear thunder you or the equipment you are operating is at risk of being hit by lightning. Water an open conduit for electricity is also something to be avoided during storms.