Landline surge filter?

J_B

Rural location - landline phone only (internet is WISP)

Last year both our landline and our burglar alarm (which is linked to the landline) got killed by lightning  - luckily, insurance paid but we still had £50 (?) excess for each.

Last week it was lightning again so I unplugged the phone line but can't unplug the phone from the alarm and its power supply/transformer has failed.

Alarm company have said that they can fit a surge filter to the mains for £30. I asked them about something similar for the phone line, (as we really aren't sure what caused the problem either time) but they suggested that I contact my telecoms supplier (BT - can you really imagine them being able to help??)

So, I thought I'd ask here ...........

forgotmyname

You can get the 4 way strip plugs with surge protectors built in for the phone and internet etc.

matelodave

pretty easy - just google it - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=telephone+surge+protector&adgrpid=54817229484&gclid=Cj0KCQjw24qHBhCnARIsAPbdtlJfyveg4X5o52mJiTC1ixmpu6V_uWIL7hRsoTEDakuvqnQ_vbt3GxUaAo_zEALw_wcB&hvadid=259094738047&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006699&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17867251376148082993&hvtargid=kwd-298636813138&hydadcr=4427_1795166&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_4krg8o4iex_e

J_B

forgotmyname said:

You can get the 4 way strip plugs with surge protectors built in for the phone and internet etc.

But everything is hard wired so not really practical

matelodave said:

pretty easy - just google it - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=telephone+surge+protector

Interesting, thanks

Neil_Jones

I think a lot depends on how the alarm is wired to the phone line.  Is it hardwired as like an extension in the back of the master socket?  Alarms can be configured in multiple different ways that may not use the primary phone line.  A previous employer where I worked it was wired into the main phone line, but bigger premises and more corporate arrangements may have their own VOIP style arrangements and the alarm calls can get out that way.

J_B

Reply from alarm company ....

Hi J,

I would advise against purchasing any of the parts within that link as none are industry regulated. Please see manufacturer comments from one of the items;

“Question: Correct me if I am wrong but this item needs to be connected to a 10-copper spike drilled into the ground outside the property to work?

Answer: If you want to but better is to connect to the house earth. Ideally you want the earth wire to be as short as possible and preferably 6mm or larger. These devices will not protect against a direct lightning strike on an overhead line close to your property - for that peace of mind you'll need to get a (very expensive) commercial system, but the business's potential losses warrant the extra expenditure.”

Installing any type of surge protection to your telephone line may prove to be pointless, in the event of any lightning strike in your area.

The ideal solution would be to remove the telephone line from the system entirely. We can provide an alternative signalling solution where your alarm system is monitored via the GPRS/GSM network, with the upcoming PSTN line switch off coming closer (https://business.bt.com/insights/digital-transformation/uk-pstn-switch-off/) this device would future proof your alarm system and prevent any chances of lightning strikes affecting your system again via the telephone line. Please see attached brochure.

There would however be an increase in your monitoring charge plus the cost for an engineer to supply and install the device, which I can provide a quote for if you are interested?

Kind Regards

J– Project Manager