John John wrote:
Are you a licenced electrician? What do you know about your local
or national electrical code?

John - visit a library to read NEC. Unlike Pops, I do not post
insults as if facts. Instead, provided are numbers, facts, concepts,
and citations. In your case, start with Articles 250 and 800 of the
National Electrical Code. Especially comprehend sections 250.52,
250.53, 800.30, 800.31, and 800.40. Also applicable are equivalent
code requirements in Articles 810 and 820. Those are basic (starting)
requirements.

Then ask yourself why this reply is without Rush Limbaugh insults;
includes specific code citations. How do I know this?

Appreciate that electricians learn what code requires. Others learn
more such as why code demands those requirements and what enhancements
are required beyond code.

That previous citation from an industry professional demonstrates
concepts beyond what code demands:
http://www.erico.com/public/library/...es/tncr002.pdf
Another industry benchmark is:
http://www.polyphaser.com/ppc_ptd_home.aspx
Even British Standard BS6651 discusses these concepts. Another
inspection:
http://www.tvtower.com/fpl.html
1977 residential earthing is typically insufficient. Maybe Pops will
explain why those requirements. Safest bet is that Pop, like so many
who post as he has, cannot even cite or quote a relevant NEC article.

Orange County FL has significant transistor threats. Orange County
emergency response system required better protection. Just like your
telco switching center (CO), instead, the center needs effective
protection. Protection system was upgraded. Did they install plug-in
protectors? Of course not. They needed effective solutions: enhanced
building earthing - the essential single point earth ground. Those in
this newsgroup promoting for plug-in protector manufacturers hope you
don't learn this:
http://www.psihq.com/AllCopper.htm

Every incoming wire, be it from an antenna or utility wires above or
beneath street - each wire is a direct and potentially destructive
connection into appliances. Every wire in every cable must connect
short to same earthing electrode. Again, this is old and well proven
technology that plug-in protector promoters here hope you never learn.

Electricians know what is required for human safety. Transistor
protection system only starts by meeting post 1990 code.

Your home is only 1977 earthing? Then an inspection is necessary.
That earthing may need be enhanced from human safety to include
transistor safety. Enhancements usually cost little money. A 'whole
house' protector (as sold in electrical supply houses, Lowes, or Home
Depot) is recommended. Little money. Significant protection.

Appreciate why an earthing wire also need be short as possible -
'less than 10 feet'. Nothing is new here. Pre-1930 technology was
made necessary by transistors. Same protection even is required for a
DSL modem.