Need Some Help

[SSJunkie68-69]

I have a small problem I am trying to resolve but thought I would check in here to see if this has happened to anyone else.

Last week we had some big storms roll through our area. There was a bolt of lightning that came out of the sky and hit one of the trees on the property that is close to the old homestead. When the charge hit the tree it went down and entered the ground where it picked up the cable for our electric fence. It also hit the cable TV lines as well as the next morning I found the dome top of the cable box about 20 yards away from where it was.

When I went into my garage I noticed the fridge was not working. I went to the electrical panel and was shocked at what I saw. The transformer for the electric fence was melted and there was a fair amount of black residue left all around it. When they installed the transformer they installed it next to the service panels. Needless to say I realized just how lucky it was that it didn't cross over to the main service.

The fence guy says everything is covered under warranty but they have to replace the entire system. I do not know if the transformer should be located so close to the panel and should this have some type of surge protection built in to prevent this from happening again.

I have been remodeling the basement so like others my garage is full of crap and cars. So I am very lucky that the crap didn't catch on fire which would of caused extentsive damage to the home and the cars.

I live on a farm close to the Potomac River in a pretty big valley area so we do get some fierce weather from time to time and it's not uncommon to see lightning strikes around the property.

Has anyone here had this happen to them and could provide some suggestions. I was very surprised to hear the fence guy was going to replace everything which got me to thinking that maybe he is doing this because the original installation was messed up.

Also since the cable blew out as well I was not able to catch Mecum this past weekend so if anyone knows when that is going to air again I would appreciate that info. I had programmed to record it but since the strike they have to redo the cables and replace the boxes so I am pretty sure it didn't record.

Thanks

[Chevy454]

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Has anyone here had this happen to them and could provide some suggestions.

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Happens here all the time...my in-laws manage a 6k+ acre ranch, and they fight this all the time...usually the cattle within several yards take the brunt of the lightning bolt as well...ironically, just this week I talked to a gentleman that lost over 30 head of cattle when his fence got hit the other day...most folks notice it when they go to open a gate or something, as sometimes it will quit but other times it will have a dead short bite ya when it's not supposed to. Not much you can do about, except maybe move the main box away from anything you don't want torched.

[Xplantdad]

I don't have any suggestions TOm...I'm just glad that you are okay!

[budnate]

I assume your service is on a outside wall?, maybe move the transformer outside in a code correct weatherproof box and feed the power line into your service through conduit, that way if she blows again it will be contained in a metal box outside,

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4T5gG...eature=related