Why do lightning storms keep frying my phone lines and surge protectors?

Question

A lightning storm fried the phone jack, phone line, answering machine and DSL splitter. Repaired & replaced everything and bought a surge protector and another storm fried the phone jacks on it. Bought another surge protector and another storm this weekend fried the phone jacks on it also. Could my phone line not be grounded properly? Is it a phone company problem or is it an internal (inside house) wiring problem? Our house is new and this is our 1st year of lightning storms.

Answer 1

I have been a TELCO repairman for 33 years and have seen every lightening damage problem imaginable. No amount of protection is always foolproof, but to stay ahead of the game, make shure the NID and the breaker panel is properly grounded.

Answer 2

sounds like a bad ground, maybe bad soil. buy the best protection, but lightening does not care, if you get hit, it will eat everything.

Answer 3

I agree with those who say you need to ensure you have a good ground. I live in an area where we have lightning storms all the time and when bad weather is coming in I go to unplugging all of my devices that I dont want fried (laptop, desktop, TV). I'd make sure you have a good ground to your electric box, but that may not help you if the lightning strikes near your house.

Answer 4

ever hear of home lightening rods? but DO call the phone company and those surge protectors are insured up to $25,000,get your refund!