My company has an insurance claim against damage caused by lightning. The insurers are claiming that the building is not earthed properly. But our building is properly earthed as we had an electrician come in and re-earthed the building a few months ago but the spike managed to pass thru both the electrical and telephone wires and damaged equipment such as: phones, TV sets that were turned off, Network Hub and CPU & Monitors that were using UPS, etc. Note the UPS are still working to date
2007-01-15 07:39:32 · 7 answers · asked by Anika H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
yes, it can still damage it. moe times than not it wont, but it can happen. this is just your insurance's way of getting out of paying. they have whole teams hired for that very purpose alone. if you have a profesional electrician proving it was properly grounded, and all is as it should be, then keep on them, maybe even get a lawyer. at least threaten to get one. they will give you a hassle, but they will pay in the end. hell, if you get a lawyer, then ake sure you go through small claims court, so when you win you can charge them for all the lawyer fees
2007-01-15 07:46:37 · answer #1 · answered by Chris L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very definitely YES.
A lightening hit can cause a momentary spike of the line voltage to your building. It has nothing to do with the grounding of your building, as it could occur miles away.
Electronic components are sensitive to over-voltages, and even though they may have a power supply, this momentary spike or surge can pass through the power supply before if can react.
The only way to protect your electronic equipment from this voltage spike, is to have a good surge protector. The type you get with extension cords does not react fast enough. Your UPS system not only supplies power when the power goes out, but usually also has a very good surge protector. That is why the UPS is still running.
You say equipment that was powered OFF, or connected to the UPS was damaged? That is highly unusual.
It is more likely that your building does not have a lightening rod, with a separate earth (grounding). That is technically not part of your electrical system.
Did the lightening actually hit your building?
2007-01-15 18:52:40 · answer #2 · answered by srrl_ferroequinologist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning is very powerful and unpredictable. Proper grounding can prevent damage in most instances, but it doesn't guarantee that your equipment will be protected. You would be wise to get an attorney involved immediately. Insurance company policy is to deny all claims until disputed. That's why they have the tallest buildings in the world.
2007-01-15 15:49:36 · answer #3 · answered by Surveyor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, power surges can be transmitted though power lines and damage electrical equipment even if the building they are in is grounded.
As for your dispute with the insurance company, it seems like there is a question as to how well your building was grounded. You need to hire an expert to verify whether it was grounded in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes.
2007-01-15 15:44:20 · answer #4 · answered by The answer guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bear in mind that grounding doesn't change the fact that immense amounts of heat and electricity are passing through your systems. Grounding does help to alleviate this a great deal, but a good site inspector should be able to tell if the damage was indeed due to lighting.
2007-01-15 15:46:22 · answer #5 · answered by ADMAN_LJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest that you appeal their ruling and present proof of the re-earthing of your building, then. Send copies to whatever government agency oversees insurance in your state.
If the regrounding wasn't up to code, then you need to consider taking action against the electrician who performed that work.
2007-01-15 15:44:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely. Lightning is pretty awesome and a proper ground guarantees nothing.
2007-01-15 15:43:49 · answer #7 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋