| >
What
Is An Electrical Surge?
Also referred to as "spikes," electrical surges are sudden, brief rises in voltage and/or current to a connected load. They may originate inside or outside any home or business. Standard household equipment operating at 120 volts can be damaged by surges of 500 volts or greater.
Return
to Top
What
causes surges?
Indoors, they're generally caused by major equipment, such as your air conditioner or refrigerator, switching on or off. Outdoors, they can be caused by incidents involving electric lines, neighbors using heavy power equipment or power equipment failures. Lightning most often causes them during seasonal electrical storms.
Return
to Top
What Is Electronic Rust?
Electronic rust is the decay or weakening of electronic components due to the cumulative effect of low level energy surges over time. Generally, these occur in homes without adequate surge protection or it has been damaged and not replaced.
Return
to Top
Do I really need surge protection?
Without some type of surge protection, excess voltage goes into your appliances or anything plugged in and can cause damage. You may not notice damage at the time a surge occurred, however, over time it will shorten the life of your appliances.
Return
to Top
How Does Surge Protection Work?
Within any modern surge protection device is the Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV). An MOV is a round disk made up of metal particles suspended in a ceramic compound. The MOV begins to conduct electricity and allows the excess voltage to flow into the disk to the ground while safe levels of voltage continue to flow into the house or appliance. Without surge protection, excess voltage goes into your appliances or anything plugged in and may cause damage. Although the damage may not be noticeable at the time the surge occurred, it will shorten the life of your appliances, or it could immediately make your equipment completely inoperable.
Return
to Top
Can I Tell If my Surge Protector is working?
 Yes. Standard meter-based surge protection units have either two green LED lights or one amber LED light on the side of the device, depending on the model. When the lights are lit, the unit is functioning properly. It is good practice to check them periodically, especially following storms. If your LED lights are out, or are showing all red, call (816)472-0432.
Return
to Top
How Is This Different From Lightning Rods?
Lightning rods do nothing more than divert lightning to ground. Meter-based surge protection like KCP&L's creates a path for the excess voltage to ground which then allows a safe voltage level to enter the house.
Return
to Top
Will Meter-Based Protection Guard Against Direct Lightning Strikes?
No. Direct lightning strikes have been estimated to be in excess of 250,000 volts. To date, there's no technology equipped to handle this formidable force of nature.
Return
to Top
Will Surge Protection Save Electricity?
Absolutely not. These devices protect against electrical surges only. If anyone tries to sell you a surge protection device as an energy saver, he or she is incorrect.
Return
to Top
How do I protect against surges created internally?
We recommend surge protection power strips, extension cords and other similar devices that are designed to protect your appliances from internally caused surges.
Return
to Top
What Is Protected And What Isn't?
Meter-based surge protection detects and blocks only those surges entering through your electric service line. Cord-connected appliances are covered. Because HVAC equipment is generally not corded/plugged in, it isn't covered. Nor is damage caused by direct lightning strikes. Surges entering through phone or cable lines must be blocked internally with other point-of-use protection.
Return
to Top
Will It Keep My Clocks From Blinking?
No. It is not a source of energy so it has no effect on the normal flow of electricity into your house.
Return
to Top
What happens if my surge protection is damaged?
You should notify KCP&L at (816)472-0432 and we will come out to replace it. Rest assured as long as your account is current, you are covered. If you suffer damage to any of your appliances you will be sent a damage claim form to fill out.
Return
to Top
If It Fails, Will It Cut Power To The House?
No. If the meter-based surge protection fails it will no longer protect you from surges but your normal current will continue to serve your home.
Return
to Top
Can I Tell If A Surge Has Passed Through The Surge Protector?
No, you will not be able to tell if a surge has passed through the meter-based surge protection.
Return
to Top
Why Doesn't KCP&L Offer Meter-Based Protection As Part Of Their Service?
To install and maintain meter-based surge protection for every customer would increase KCP&L's operating costs, in turn increasing the electric rates for every customer. Instead, we offer surge protection like call waiting, as an affordable, optional service for those customers who choose it.
Return
to Top
Is the surge protection program regulated by the State Public Utilities Commission?
The Missouri Public Service Commission or the Kansas Corporation Commission does not regulate our surge protection program. The surge protection program covers all of the operating and marketing expenses with its revenue. Ratepayer funds are not used for the program.
Return
to Top
What Does Meter-Based Surge Protection Cost?
KCP&L's meter-based surge protection costs just $5.95 plus tax added to your monthly electric bill. Since partial bill payments will be applied to your electric charge first and to your meter-based surge protection last, you'll want to be careful to pay the full amount of your bill by the due date. This ensures that your $10,000 warranty program remains valid.
Return
to Top
What if I can't pay my bill?
Payment is always applied to your monthly electric charges first and surge protection program last. Your account must be current to receive warranty coverage.
Return
to Top
Can I Buy A Meter-Based Surge Protector Direct And Install It Myself?
No. Installation is extremely dangerous and involves removing the electric meter. Power must be interrupted briefly and trained, qualified personnel only can do installations.
Return
to Top
When Will The Meter-Based Surge Protection Device Be Installed?
Once your order is received by KCP&L, the meter-based surge protection will be installed within four to six weeks. It is not necessary to be at home. We will however, knock on the door to make sure you know we are there should you be home.
Return
to Top
Will I Need To Unplug Equipment During Installation?
No. It takes from two to 10 minutes to install your meter-based protection to the outside electric meter on your home. The brief service interruption will not damage equipment, but you may want to save PC data files in advance and expect to reset digital clocks.
Order Surge Protection Online
Return
to Meter-Based Surge Protection
|
