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Outage Center
CFEC’s meter-based surge protection is an excellent way to safeguard your home’s major appliances—such as your washer, dryer, dishwasher, oven, and water heater—from lightning strikes that can enter through your electric meter.
How to Get Surge Protection Installed on Your Meter
- Call Our Office
Ask to speak with a Member Services Technician. 
Schedule a Ground Test
The technician will schedule a visit to your home to test your ground system by measuring the ohms (electrical resistance).- Your ground must measure less than 100 ohms to qualify for surge protection.
- If it passes, the technician will move forward with installation.
Surge Protector Installation
- The technician will remove your meter to install the surge protector.
- A ground wire is connected to a chip inside the device.
- If lightning strikes, the surge protector will direct the energy safely into the ground, protecting your appliances.
What the Light Means
- Once installed, a red light on the device means it’s working.
- If lightning hits the device, the light will go out—this means the device has taken the hit and protected your home.
- If your appliances stop working and the red light is off, call our office. A technician will help start a claim with the surge device manufacturer.
Commonly Asked Questions
A connection fee of $20 is charged when the device is installed. Surge Protection is an additional $5.50 on your monthly electric bill.
No, these types of devices are not protected by CFEC meter-based surge protection. Surge protector power strips that can be purchased at electronic and department stores are best for protecting these types of devices.
No, any electrical issues that happen in the home after the surge device is installed are not due to faults from the surge device.
No, this device does not prevent your lights from flickering during bad weather.