I recently had a lighting strike and lost about $1000 worth of equipment. I’d like to reduce the chance of that happening again so I’m looking for advice.
I have a UDM in my house, with a 125 foot run underground in conduit to my barn. In the barn, I have a POE switch that feeds 10 cameras and an Ubiquiti AP. I’d like to add a ground somewhere. I just purchased a surge protector with ethernet for the barn, since the switch is currently plugged in directly to an outlet and should be protected anyway. I also bought this from APC for my equipment in the house. I was going to install that between my UDM and POE switch in the house, then ground it to an outlet.
I’m reading so much information about how to go about this. My barn is powered with 220v from my house, so 4 wires go to the barn H/H/N/G. the ground on the barn is the same ground as the house. If I use both devices can that create a ground loop in the event of a surge? I’m also reading that I can use the APC at any point on my network to provide protection. Is this correct?
Please don’t suggest fiber runs, as the cable is already run and I don’t plan on redoing it. Thank you all in advance.
First off, is the barn system itself grounded?
If not, it does indeed need to be per the national electric code (assuming you are in the US). That would mean two separate grounding rods installed at least six feet apart.
DITEK was the stuff I used to use in the field. Protected equipment, but they’re throw away surge surpressors. Once it’s fried, replace.
As others have suggested, lighting rods. And the ground you’re refering to? I’d suggest driving your own ground at the barn, seperate from the electrical for this system you’re grounding to.
There’s stuff out there to protect your equipment, but you’ll be replacing it many times over if you don’t go the lightning rod route. I know from first hand experience, as I hope someone else doesn’t have to watch a 66 block light up in your face, while working on it, due to a lightning strike.