Hi,

May I know anyone using any lightning protection in the house?
Is it good to have or nice to have?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Depends whether you have any High-Tech or sensitive equipments that requires protection.

It'd be good to have for those that are constantly powered on 24/7.

I have TV, Astro, fridge, hood, air-cons, PCs and etc. Should I invest on this?

I use cal-lab for equipments level protection. If you need entire house is a different setup.

Hi,

Is it 1 cal-lab for 1 equipment? Or 1 cal-lab can used for multiple equipments?


Thank you.

Be a cheapskate, use lower rating ELCB.
Spend more on your ground, original grounding point provided by developer are not deep enough.

it's good to have. btw, your house always strike by lightning?

It is up to individual. Installing lightning surge protection is just like buying insurance. It is there to help you when you need it. If you have none, it is always too late when disaster happened.

In short, there are 2 general protection categories:
1) Outdoor protection- lightning rod, to protect the building structure from direct lightning strike
2) Indoor protection- SPD (Surge Protection Device), installed inside the Electrical DB (Distribution Board), to protect all electrical appliances

Frankly speaking, perhaps this is also Malaysians' mentality, 90% of my customers install the lightning surge protection only after the lightning strike disaster occurred. The damages are far more expensive than the cost of installing an indoor surge protection device. "I should have installed it earlier...." is what I heard most of the time. It is always too late for them to know that starting from RM500 to have the whole house protected by industrial grade professional lightning surge protection device. I'm not talking about those plug-n-play type of power extension with built-in surge protection function.

Check out my company website to understand the differences between those power extension and the professional protection.
www.LightningSurgeProtectionMalaysia.com

Can be used for multiple, depending on how your equipment are layed.

I'd look into protecting TV, Astro and PC...hood not too sure

You can check it out there --> Cal-lab

ELCB won't prevent lightning. Only 2 days ago my colleague house had lightning attack and fry off his router, unify modem, cordless phone and autogate board. It happen when the lightning struck on the electric pole, and travel through the live / neutral wires, that fry all the above items i mention. Modem TM will replace foc, cordless phone and router all have to buy. Even with good grounding & roof lightning pole, lighting can come from other path.

The electric pole wires also have to be change after the strike.

This post has been edited by weikee: Apr 18 2014, 02:20 PM

You can join it to extension. Don't overload.

Guess you make it wrong already.
For your friend case, it is coming through the phone line. Happen to me twice. I'm using lower rating ELCB.

whole house protection is a worthy investment. got that installed, a phone line surge protection and fine protection from belkin in front of the pc & office & tv equipment. has saved me serveral times before already (when my neighbours stuff was spoiled...) - i stay in a high risk area (elevated).

No. Unifi signal comes through fibre optic cable, which is not susceptible to lightning.

interested on this... how much is the cost with installation for double story house with astro & streamyx? I have those belkin & cal-lab but if it can stop from surge at earlier stage much better and cost to buy belkin & cal-lab is not cheap as well if you need to buy more than one or two

This post has been edited by exkaizen: Apr 18 2014, 03:17 PM

Unifi is fiber friend. And TNB came replace the burned wires on the TNB poles.

I got 4 cal-labs.

I don't wish my house always strike by lightning
But it happened to me in my current house, my modem, CPU and monitor gone...

So I am thinking to add this protection in my new house
Just want to know more for this as I seldom heard people putting this at their house

huiyoo.... yeah I got one... but if installing cal-lab much cheaper than those at db... then have to get more cal-lab...

I think he mentioned somewhere it's RM500 onwards for those at db...

I'm using 5

To me is not about cost. So far Cal-lab proven and safe me few round of hassle. Use belkin before, it fry the belkin and also my equipment. I like protect the equipment in modular and need to be i just change the specific area.

Ahh, you beat me...

Is it? So signal transfer using optical don't have current

Fiber optic or copper, it is just used to transfer data. And you need current to transfer data. You no need to have much, just extra 10-20A surge are more than enough to fry your appliance.
And if that extra surge of current are really going through electric pole, the damage done won't be just unifi equipment only. You will need to change 50% of the house appliances.

Use wireless modem and don't use network cable.
Now Streamyx TM improve the system already, their junction box now comes with auto reset ELCB(think unifi don't have yet), whenever there's thunder storm in my area, I sure can't go online. And once over, I can use it back.

Exactly. Blocking the surge current at the 1st entry point is definitely more effective.

Imagine this:

Belkxx or others:
1) protects only 1 power socket, how about those direct connections (not using socket) such as air-conditioner, water heater, CCTV, alarm panel, autogate? You can't protect them.
2) to protect more sockets, you need to buy more. Accumulated cost is even higher than whole house lightning surge protection.
3) surge current travelling from power DB --> MCB --> ELCB --> CB --> travel around the house --> meets the Belkxx --> Belkxx divert surge current via earth wire --> earth wire surge current travels back to socket --> DB --> Earth wire --> Earth pit...........Can you imagine: the thieves already broke into your house then only you chase them out?

Professional Surge Protection Device (SPD):
1) Protects everything uses electricity, be it plug/socket or direct connection
2) Imagine this: Block the thieves from entering your house

You know which method make more sense.

Srtarting from RM500 including professional installation with 16mm2 cable, and soil resistence test, electrical safety test by trained professionals to ensure your whole house is protected.

Please leave your details at Professional Lightning Surge Protection, we will come back to you with practical and affordable lightning surge protection solution.

This post has been edited by liawei: Apr 18 2014, 05:02 PM

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question402.htm

Fibre optic uses light, not current, to transfer data.

There are some misconceptions here. Let me explain:

1) ELCB is designed to cut off power in the event of current leakage, not surge current. It is not designed to arrest/divert surge current. Perhaps you had the ELCB tripped during lightning strike and you were just plain lucky that the surge current was not strong. In developed countries, it is mandated to have ELCB and SPD (surge protection device) installed in order to get CF for new houses. But in Asia countries, only ELCB made compulsory but SPD is not mandated.

Forget about the rocket science explanation, just remember in short:
ELCB : To protect human
SPD: To protect electrical items
Outdoor lightning rod: To protect building structure

2) Unifi (fiber optic) is immune to lightning surge

3) Streamyx (copper) is very prone to lightning surge damage. Surge current travel through the telephone copper wire and damage your modem, and further downstream. RJ11 surge protection is a must.

4) All surge protection devices rely heavily on the condition of earth connection. The best lightning surge protection is useless if the earth grounding is bad.

5) Don't be surprised, 20% of the houses I visited have electrical safety problems. Some example of the problems:
- earth resistance very high.
- missing earth continuity from socket to DB
- wrong polarity in the socket
- wrong selection of CB, ELCB
- many more.......

People simply take safety for granted.

This is Bolehland, endless possibilities.

Still, it need to do conversion, right?

Yes, and the electrical current doesn't appear from nowhere. It comes from, guess what, the electrical poles.

You should really eat the humble pie and accept a new knowledge/concept here.

Since the fiber optic doesn't carry any currents from the port (the TM green box) outside your house to your fiber termination unit inside your house, you are safe. Any decoding/conversion done within your house is safe.

But why just the phone related stuffs only fried?
This is something we really look in to it.
As said, if it is from the main electric cable, the damage will be more, but if the damage like isolated like this, I highly doubt it.
If we don't make it clear then same sheet will happen again.
Till today, I fried 4 motherboards, 4 display cards, 4 power supply, 3 modems and 1 cordless phone. All of them are covered under warranty, so FOC, MBs only the network port fried which affecting display card and power supply.
An electrician when have a first glance check already can tell from where the frying job starts.

Auto gate board also fried. Fridge usually won't fry easy because less electronic board. Best of all he using belkin protect the network equipments... It proof again the reliable of belkin.

Fiber will not transmit current or voltage because is only transmit light.

Yup, fiber optic does not transmit current during digital stage.
But it will be interesting to know the actual cause on this.
Autogate board need to check the operating voltage, if low voltage type, sure it will blow fast.
And if the lightning really strike the pole, the TNB digital meter will be first to go. Happen to my house once which ended up I got 75% of discount for my bill.

If using non electronic meter it will survive lightning strike.

Yup, but TNB now are slowly phasing out analog meters.
Even the reading blown, once reset the main fuse, I still have power

how is the setup of this cal lab?

No need to setup, just plug between the wall socket and your equipment. If need more points, just put the extension between the wall socket and the extension.

socket - calLab - equiment?
is it like an extension?

Yes, make sure tour house / socket earth is working.

Got my house installled with SPD.. hopefully it wilk protect all equipment in my house.

any1 know how much need to spend if i want SPD installed in my house?

you can try to get quotation from here...
http://www.lightningsurgeprotectionmalaysia.com/

i would recommend http://tokai.com.my/solutions/esp.html they r the first company in Malaysia that started lightning & earthing industry. Developers nowadays want to maximise profit and save cost, so lightning protection installed by developers is very minimum.

I don't see any developer in here that have install surge protector for your house. Even minimum level. Or an expensive bangle.

Do you think this product will help? I heard any products also can't help when heavy lightning comes.

Yes. it help. That is already few experience that my belkin surge protector did do the job. While also have bad experience which I didn't use the surge protector.

Majority of the lightning is not direct strike to your house. It come from the line. Any line that have voltage running currently during strike.

Hi all,

I just moving in my new house in Nilai. Regret that, the ELCB always trip during the thunderstorm/lightning. Almost everyday after coming back from work, ELCB trip. MCB did not trip.

The electrician who installed the fan/lamp said the house is using 40A ELCB. He advice to change for a higher rating i.e 60Amp.

I suspect that the grounding is not good enough.

Any advice/idea on how to overcome this problem. Im afraid it will effect others electrical appliances.

Thanks guys.

wow! that good. I plan buy 2 unit belkin surge protector when have internet later.

I've installed SPD Type 2 for my house 2 weeks ago.Very affordable & professional installation...Contact in the link below

http://lightningsurgeprotectionmalaysia.com/

Your electrician is not solving the problem.
1) he did it right to change to 62A ELCB, which is common for residential in Malaysia. 40A was too small.
2) however, frequent tripping has nothing to do with 40A or 62A.
3) frequent tripping can be caused by:
A) poor earth connection as you suspected.
B) weak wire insulation somewhere in your house.
C) leakage current from some electrical appliances.

You can do:
1) identify which circuit breaker trip or is it random
2) get professional to measure earth value

You must not do:
1) don't simply listen to any electricians ask you to replace 100mA ELCB to a 300mA ELCB. This will reduce the sensitivity of ELCB trip but compromise on safety. This action is not solving the root cause and added the risk of electrocution.

99% of houses in Malaysia don't have SPD. Developer will not add such additional cost unless it's an RM2mil and above property then slightly higher chance it will have the SPD.

Tokxx is big company working with developers, and expect big price from them as residential is not their key focus.

I have seen those new banglo which cost RM2-3mil at some new housing area. Those house is at the very very high percentage of kena lightning area. But didn't see any SPD in the house. Probably hide somewhere.

The developer only setup few lightning pole with like a metal ball ontop the pole. Place at some house garden several area.

Mostly I use OKAYA. Which is also japan surge product maker. But not famous in here.

Your house still no line? There is also others like Cal lab that does a good job too.

AV equipment also need to protect. This are sensitive equipment.

Still waiting telepone line & internet.

Yes they install and conceal in the building itself, I have seen their work, but because the cable size they use is too small so when lightning strikes it cannot withstand such immense power going through therefore doesn't serve any purpose.

For surge protection, they only seems to install in big bungalows, for normal house they wouldnt bother

This post has been edited by silent_killer: May 28 2014, 05:59 PM

Tq liawei. I have contacted http://lightningsurgeprotectionmalaysia.com/ and they are willing to look into my problem.

Even for bungalow, no developer will install surge protector. No developer is such a nice soul in the world.

The one possible place to have it installed if the bungalow come with lift in which lift panel is very prone to surge-related damage. This surge protector is only good for surges. For proper lightning protection system, a good Faraday Cage is required.

Beside Tokai, Pekat teknologi is another competent contractor. Basically they use similar products i.e. furse, novaris and approved equivalent.....

Make sure you protect both power line and data line....

THere is no corelation between incident and new housing area. There are only corelation between incident to location, building height, protection level and maintenance.

Location = Malaysia has at least 200+ lightning day per year. Certain area in MY are more prone.

Building height = the higher you are, the closer you are to the clouds where lightning originated.

Protection level = look at Faraday cage....ESE is not reliable despite whatever the suppliers claim. Go Singapore NationAL Science Centre to check out the effectiveness of a proper Faraday Cage... Protection level also includes the three tier surge protection level.

Maintenance = Seen anyone maintain those lightning protection system or SPD?

My contractor have install this for me when I request.



Attached thumbnail(s)

Take note that the SPD is max at 40ka
Would recommend at least 80 ka

Should be ok la. Till your next equipment KFC.

How much is this?

Click the link and i got this:

Bandwidth Limit Exceeded

Just clicked on it...yup...Bandwidth exceeded' Try this FB link

https://www.facebook.com/LightningSurgeProt...onMalaysia/info

or call the guy directly

Wayne

016 233 0400

How much the cost..how they http://www.lightningsurgeprotectionmalaysia.com make the calculation? based on power socket or how? or number of fuse in the DB?

why need 80 ka?

my contractor didn't charge me this equipment. That means ok or not 40ka?
May I know beside surge protector blue color & test button for what.

This post has been edited by petlu28: May 29 2014, 11:55 PM

I used Pekat Teknologi to install Surge Protection and Lightning Protection for Setia Eco Park home as the home (3 storey high with lift) is higher than the 2 storey homes nearby. Expensive but with lightning flashing around during thunderstorms ... (Weather is not like when I was a young man. Nowadays heavier rains and frequent close-by lightning strikes.)

This post has been edited by hebronep: May 29 2014, 05:11 PM

hebronep - So far, any problems....any damage incurred? I think the weather is the same lah. Just that nowadays we have more sensitive equipment that are prone to surge damage. Last time, we still swim naked in river or ex-ming pool despite thunder clapping kau kau...or we are still playing bola sepak lumpur till dusk ro gelap.

Theorectically, yearly maintenance is required to verify the earthing conductivity, continuity of the Faraday cage (from top to ground) and also to check on the SPD......This may cost some money.

No problems so far ( 3+ years). I also installed a lighting monitor (on-top of copper cable from roof to ground copper rods) which reads how many direct lightning strike on the home. I will read next time I am in Eco Park home.

Surge protection will filter out all the power line communication signals. No use to use power line communications if you intend to install surge
protection. Better to position the wireless router in optimum location such that reasonable signals can be received in all parts of the home.

hmmm..lightning counter is good for lightning. this little device clamped onto the copper tape may not read surge attack...but good to have...

The pricig of the SPD based on:
1) maximum surge current needed- 20/40/60/80/100/120/150kA
2) classification of surge protection- class 1/2/3
3) Brand- price varies very much with different brand and technology
4) single phase or 3 phase power line.

Usually the price range from RM400-RM2500, depending on the selection of the above criterias.

big or small house doesn't matter.
Electricity consumption doesnt matter.

The site is up now.

If FOC, ok la...the blu/test button is on the ELCB (Earth Leak Circuit Breaker). Recommended to push the button monthly to ensure that the eLCB turns off. If you press the button and the elcb does not cut off, time to change a new one.

It's based on the supply ( single/3 phase)

Oh. Just test ELCB have functioning or not? I didn't push it when start staying there until now.

we should go for Greater kA or the smaller kA in the SPD ?

yup... I've installed mine from him...

Hi xekaizen, how much you pay for the SPD?

450 if not mistaken

Learn what an effective SPD does? This was first demonstrated by Franklin in 1752.

Lightning (and other surges) seeks earth ground. A best connection to earth is via a wooden church steeple. Because wood is a better electrical conductor than air. Unfortunately, wood is a poor conductor. So a 20,000 amp lightning strike would create a high voltage. 20,000 amps times a high voltage is high energy. Church steeple damaged.

Franklin connected lightning to earth via a better conductor - often called a lightning rod. That conductor is a better conductor. So a 20,000 amp lightning strike creates a near zero voltage. 20,000 amps times a near zero voltage is near zero energy. No damage.

That is protection of a structure. We do same to protect appliances.

Lightning seeks earth ground. A best connection to earth is via appliances. Unfortunately appliances are poor conductors. So a massive current would create a high voltage inside the appliance. That high current times a resulting high voltage is high energy. Appliance damaged.

For over 100 years, informed consumers connected lightning to earth via a better conductor. Usually a direct hardwire connection. Otherwise a next best solution is implements: a 'whole house' protector. Then 20,000 amps connected low impedance (ie 'less than 3 meters') to earth creates a near zero voltage. The resulting near zero voltage means no energy dissipates destructively in appliances. No appliance damaged.

A protector adjacent to the appliance does not do this. The protector at the service entrance must be sized to connect even direct lightning strikes to earth. And not fail. So a minimal 'whole house' protector is 50,000 amps. If a surge damaged that protector, then a 100,000 amp protector is needed in that venue.

Described is what effective protectors work, why they work, and relevant numbers such as 50,000 amps. Because any protector that fails did not provide effective protection. Protectors must not fail even after many direct lightning strikes.

What should also be obvious is what is more important than a protector. Protection is defined by the quality and connection to earth ground. Both for structure protection and for appliance protection. Most of your attention should focus on THE most important component in every protection 'system': earth ground. Since that is always where hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly dissipate.

This post has been edited by westom: Jun 1 2014, 05:22 AM

yes westom. you're more knowledgeable than IEEE.
say westom, are you familiar with the local wiring scheme? do you know that us over here is required BY LAW to implement earth grounding into the structural wiring?

and we here are indeed talking about diversion and dissipation of the lightning energy safely to the earth grounding THROUGH SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES. and while i could argue with your whole voltage this, voltage that, no energy no current zero voltage crap, i'm gonna let it slide.

enough with your endeavour to discredit the use of SPD and electronics surge protectors.

Apparently important numbers were ignored. That ground in a wall receptacle is not earth ground. Codes require a safety ground. Electrical characteristics such as 'less than 3 meters', no sharp wire bends, no splices, and ground wire separated from other non-grounding wires are critically important. Please grasp important references to low impedance to appreciate a difference between 'safety' ground and 'earth' ground.

Lightning is best connected to earth via a direct hardwire connection. A next best solution implements the same low impedance, earth ground connection via a 'whole house' protector. Then 20,000 amps connects low impedance (ie 'less than 3 meters') to earth; creates a near zero voltage. A resulting near zero voltage means no energy dissipates destructively in appliances. No appliance damaged.

Protectors adjacent to appliances cannot earth that energy. Too close to appliances and too far from earth ground electrodes. These devices must somehow block or absorb energy. This different device, also called a surge protector, does not claim to protect from destructive surges. Instead, it only claims to protect from surges typically so small as to be made irrelevant by protection already inside appliances.

Sometimes a surge too tiny to harm an appliance will destroy a grossly undersized and adjacent protector. A failed protector did not do protection. The appliance protected itself.

Concepts such as wire bends and wire length can subvert an earth ground connection. For example, connect a 200 watt transmitter to a long wire antenna. Touch one part of that long wire to feel near zero volts. Touch another part to be shocked by over 100 volts. Why two voltages on the same wire? These electrical characteristics explain why a wall receptacle's safety ground is not earth ground.

Effective protector must be located adjacent (ie 'less than 3 meters') to a single point earth ground. Last four words also have electrical significance. A protector too far from single point earth ground (ie connected to a wall receptacle) is not earthed. And does not even claim to do what an effective 'whole house' protector does.

Rather than ignore relevant numbers, appreciate these electrical concepts even defined in IEEE standards. What many mistake as an earth ground is really only a safety ground. This difference explains why best protectors are distant from appliances (ie up to 50 meters) and as close to earth ground as practicable. Please do not ignore the expression 'low impedance'. Protectors without that 'low impedance' connection do not claim to protect appliances from destructive surges. Ignoring that voltage discuss implies you did not understand an important concept: impedance.

This post has been edited by westom: Jun 1 2014, 10:08 PM

good sharing...

Can share with you how to size SPD accordingly? Let say for a bungalow

A protector must not fail. So what will be a typically largest surge? Lightning is typically 20,000 amps. So a minimal SPD should be rated at least 50,000 amps.

SPDs have an indicator light that only reports one type of failure. If its indicator light reports any failure, then the SPD was grossly undersized. Then a 100,000 amp protector is probably necessary.

SPD is only one part of a 'system'. SPD must be sized to not fail over many decades. The 'system's effectiveness during each surge is defined by the other and more important component - earth ground. 'System' effectiveness for each surge is defined by the quality of and connecton to single point earth ground.

Protectors are simple science. Earthing is an 'srt'.

Why are we using SPD to protect our appliances from direct lightning exposure? Arent deviate from the intention? Lightning Protection System such as Faraday cage is protect our appliances from direct lightning. I seriously think there are no SPD that can protect one from direct hit...

SPD is normally used to protect more sensitive equipment from lightning-induced surved or other form of surges.

note - SPD = surge protection device

So how often is your town without phone service for four days after each storm? A typical bulding may suffer a major surge every seven years. But the telco's computer is connected all over town. Thefore it suffers about 100 surges per storm. And without damage. Because protection from direct lightning strikes has been that routine for that long.

If protection from direct strikes could not exist, then telephone operators would remove headsets and leave the room with each storm. Reality. Even 100 years ago, that was unnecessary. Because protection from direct strikes was that well understood that long ago.

Protection uses a proven concept similar to a Faraday cage. But a Faraday cage is compromised if even one wire in any cable does not first connect to what performs a Faraday cage effect - single point earth ground. That is what a protector does. Protection is compromised if a protector does not make that low impedance (ie 'less than 3 meters') connection to single point earth ground.

A 'more sensitive' equipment is virtually every household appliance. That includes the dishwasher, air conditioner, dimmer switches, CFL bulbs, and clocks. Most every appliance now contains electronics. And all appliances are now as or more robust than that appliance was 40 years ago. Homeowners are only just learning about what was standard 50 years ago in facilities that could never have damage.


This post has been edited by westom: Jun 2 2014, 07:25 PM

Afaik, KL has not experienced 4 days downtime on phone service.

I am getting more confused with your post. Just now, you are talking about SPD sizing and now you talking about my town, building, protection...Faraday cage that is compromised.....Faraday Cage mostly used copper tape from top to bottom.....only very limited occassion, they use cable.

I think I have to stop reading your post to avoid confusion. Pemikiran berserabut, payah pembaca.

whole house protector like what?
any wiring diagram? anything to show? any example?

you could place your trust in this westom over here. zero voltage here, zero voltage there, boom no lightning strike.
or you could follow the recommendation from IEEE here.
or if that's too much to read, there's a simpler one over here.

yeah i'll use SPD. whatever westom might say about it.

Of course not - as I said. KL must have long used a 'whole house' solution. Their switching computer is threatened by about 100 surges with each storm - without damage. Because surge protection routinely makes direct lightning strikes irrelevant.

If you read something the first time and understand it, then it did not introduce anything new. If a concept is this new, then it should be reread at least three times. You misunderstand (misread) an example of direct lightning strikes without damage.

I never said KL suffered 4 days of downtime. Please read what was posted. I said KL never experiences 4 days of downtime because protection from direct lightning strikes is routine. So routine that damage is traceable to a human mistake.

This post has been edited by westom: Jun 2 2014, 07:37 PM

my apology.

IEEE is a source of what I have summarized. For example, IEEE Std 142 is entitled 'Static and Lightning Protection Grounding:
Standard 1100 says:
Summarized here are the principles that all industry professionals discuss for protection. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground.

Another IEEE Standard says

IEEE Standard 80 says: What is that secondary arrester? The 'whole house' protector. Secondary protection is located at the service entrance. A primary protection layer is installed by the utility.

One can criticize. Or one can first comprehend their technical sources. IEEE and I say same. Another forget to read what the IEEE says.

so now the protector is highly dependent on earth ground? you said the ground inside the receptacle is not earth ground?
and i quote:

is that cable going from the distribution box to the earth? the large copper cable?

oh yes we already have those in our distribution box. how is that different from your suggestion? your 3 meter rule? move the service entrance/distribution box? so you're suggesting that we move our DB to somewhere where it doesn't breach your 3 meter rule? how about if i live in a condo?

primary protection = installed by utility, correct?
secondary protection = lightning arrestor, correct?

Correct. So why the confusion? This was explained repeatedly because it is new and therefore difficult to grasp.

Or maybe another fundamental fact, posted previously, was misunderstood. Electricity is never same at both ends of a wire. Earth ground and safety ground are electrically different. I don't understand why this fundamental fact was not read. Was that long wire antenna example unread?

Receptacle safety ground is not earth ground. Why is that confusing?

A ballpark three meter rule comes from basic circuit theory. One protector is best because it has no earth ground connection. Instead, that protector mounts ON earth ground. Zero meters to earth means better protection.

Correct. Primary protection is provided by the utility. A picture demonstates what does that protection:
http://www.tvtower.com/fpl.html

Secondary protection is not a lightning arrestor (lightning rod or protector). Those are only connecting devices. Each layer of protection is defined by what absorbs hundreds of thousands of joules. A protector only connects to that other 'system' component: earth ground. Earth ground (not an arrestor) is the protection. Due to advertising myths and hearsay, this concept is extremely hard to grasp.

A protector is only as effective as its earth ground. Same is also true for lightning rods. Lightning rod is for protection of a structure. 'Whole house' protector is for protection of appliances. In every case and in every layer of protection: the only component that must always exist and that does the protection is earth ground.

This post has been edited by westom: Jun 3 2014, 12:48 PM

Utility companies never installed any so called "primary protection" for you.

Primary protection is the SPD installed at the 1st entry point, that is in the DB. In Malaysia, 99% buildings do not have it. Don't mistakenly assume the ELCB as SPD. In advanced countries, ELCB+SPD must be installef in order to get CF. Too bad in Malaysia and other SEA countries, SPD has been omitted due to poor awareness.

Secondary protection is the additional protection installed at the point of use.

Both primary and secondary protections are heavily relying on good earthing. "3 meter rule" is just a layman term guideline. In reality you can hardly see the earth path that is less than 3 meters.What important is the soil resistivity. You may have > 3 meters earth wire but as long as it is thick enough and connected to a earth rod with <5 ohm earth resistance, it is perfectly fine.