Boiler damage after power surge

auntyS

Ich wrote: »

The problem with this sort of theft (and some faults on the network) is not due to "surges".
The system generally doesn't produce them but you can get issues in the home with appliances switching on or off.
What actually occurred would have been a sustained over voltage to affected customers caused by the loss of the neutral connection in the affected substation. A simple surge protector would not prevent this, nor would any device installed in substations protect for faults between the substation and the customer.

Thanks,
Too technical for me but useful to know that a surge protector would not have made any difference. I will look into them anyways and hope the electricity company invests in razor wire, electrified fences and snipers around their premises .
We will just have to put up and pay up.
Maybe the next time one of these louts does this they will electrocute themselves.:eek:

ev70

They will only try and nick the razor wire and electric fence. Only the sniper might work:rotfl:

Some of the thieving louts have removed themselves from the gene pool already by frying on 125kV power lines

chrischivs

At 11 p.m. on 23rd December our house and 2 neighbours' experienced several serious power surges, which damaged my dishwasher (it exploded), tumble drier, microwave, toaster and kettle. It also wiped out our central heating controls which exploded and stopped the boiler and Aga working. Xmas Eve we had 2 borrowed (from neighbours) small electric fires to heat a 20 room house and no heating and hot water in most of the house. Christmas Day was the same and we were expecting the family here. I managed to cook dinner on our small spare electric cooker but by this time we were chilled to the bone. My husband is getting over cancer treatment, I have no immune system so we both are very poorly with severe cold/chest infection symptoms. The UK EnergyCompany came and removed my microwave, kettle and toaster on Christmas Eve but were unable to fix the heating or Aga. It is now 29th and we have had our own plumber sort out the heating and hot water because UK Energy couldn't get anyone out before today. We might have a replacement tumble drier by NEXT Monday, we have not heard about the dishwasher replacement. Are we entitled to compensation for a ruined Christmas and causing us to get so cold we are both ill. The problem was with the transformer apparently, so liability has been admitted.

Moneymaker

An ordinary "surge protector" won't help against problems such as this. An "Automatic Voltage Regulator" is more likely to. At worst, it will burn out but hopefully still protect the equipment. See typical picture of one used extensively in Europe where power failure is commonplace.
http://www.glodark.com/powerbright/TELCO_AL-1000.jpg
Costs about 40 Euros and runs to 1 kiloWatt.

keith1950

I used to work for a regional electricity company and we would either repair or replace any damaged appliances.
Bear in mind that when this happens it quite often affecst a whole estate or a least everyone on one particular electrical phase on that estate.

If you know of many others affected there should be no problem getting them to rectify it.