Improve and Maintain Grounding System

There are a number of ways that electrical surges can enter a facility and wreak havoc on sensitive electrical equipment, but in the end the surge must travel along a conductor that is connected to the respective piece of equipment.  Given this, the easiest way to protect equipment is through the use of surge protection devices (SPDs).  The most common method of entry is through the power lines themselves, thus SPDs should be provided at the main electrical service panel and key subpanels, as well as at the point of use of all sensitive equipment.  To assure that adequate protection is provided, minimum performance criteria for point of use SPDs should be developed and uniformly applied.  Unfortunately, there are deceptive manufacturers who tend to exaggerate, stretch or even falsify data, therefore it is best to obtain several references from a reliable electrical, lightning protection or communications contractor and then see what fits within your budget.  For a good general understanding of electrical surge protection devices, the following internet link, http://computer.howstuffworks.com/surge-protector.htm/printable, will connect you to an article on the How Stuff Works website. 

In addition to protection from surges through the power lines, SPDs should also be installed for radio coax, cable TV coax, satellite, phone lines, modem/Ethernet lines and any other conductors that enter into equipment.  While these are not typically current carrying lines, a surge can be induced upon them by a lightning strike or surge on an adjacent power line.  One means of protecting data lines without SPDs is to use wireless transmissions or fiber optic connections, which cannot transmit a surge.  Given the loss activity sustained by the department in the past and the various factors involved in determining the best type(s) of SPDs needed for each piece of equipment, we recommend your organization consider conducting a systematic review of current controls with a qualified contractor.