For those who do not know yet, Westom spends alot of time spreading misinformation on the internet on many forums and websites.

He keeps mentioning that a lightning strike needs causes a surge of "hundreds of thousands of joules" but the average surge from thunderstorms that is normally encountered is not a direct hit but an induced surge from a nearby lightning strike which has much less energy. Surge suppressors from good brands complaint to UL1449 or equivalent work very well. Joule ratings from 700 to several thousand should be sufficient for normal use.