1. What is a Power Surge and how are they caused?
A surge (transient over-voltage) is a momentary sharp burst of high voltage. Surges can enter the home through the electrical distribution lines as well as through the telephone line and cable TV line. Lightning is not the only cause of dangerous surges. Surges are caused by car accidents involving telephone poles, high winds, trees touching power lines, etc. Surges can also be caused, in the home, by the cycling on and off of heavy energy users such as refrigerators, printers, power tools etc.

2. Why do I need Surge Protection?
Your home's expensive appliances and sensitive electronics (Home Computer, TV, VCR, DVD, cordless phone etc.) are susceptible to damage from destructive electric surges.

3. What is wrong with the $8.00 power strip I bought at the hardware store?
The power strip is just that, a power strip. These provide no surge protection. The HomeGuard(tm) Plug-In surge protectors offered by NHEC are manufactured by one of the largest and most respected manufacturers of surge protection equipment, EFI Electronics. The plug-in surge protectors offered by NHEC provide the "peace of mind" that any destructive surges will be caught BEFORE they damage your expensive home electronics equipment. All plug-in protectors offered by NHEC have indicator lights (LED's) and/or audible alarms to alert you in the event the unit has been damaged and requires replacement. They are backed up by the most comprehensive replacement and connected equipment warranty in the industry.

4. What does NHEC offer that I cannot get somewhere else?
NHEC is proud to offer NHEC members the HomeShield(tm) Ground Status Monitor with Surge Protection. HomeShield(tm) not only provides the most advanced, state-of-the-art "Whole-House" surge protection, but HomeShield(tm) also continuously monitors your homes electrical distribution and grounding system to ensure your homes electrical and grounding system is safe. In the event a dangerous electrical shock or fire hazard condition is detected or the surge protection circuit has been damaged, you will be alerted by indictor lights located on the unit and by an audible alarm.

5. What exactly do I get?

• a. HomeShield(tm) Ground Status Monitor with Surge Protection installed at the electric meter.
• b. Four (4) plug-in surge protectors:
  • One (1) eight outlet receptacle plugstrip with Cable & Telephone protection
  • One (1) single outlet unit
  • One (1) single outlet protector with Telephone Protection
  • One (1) single outlet protector with Cable TV Protection
  • One (1) three blade receptacle Circuit Tester
• c. A detailed inspection and test of your main Service Entrance grounding system.
• d. Professional Installation and Delivery
• e. HomeShield(tm) Ten (10) year product and connected equipment warranty
• f. Lifetime product replacement and 15 year connected equipment warranty on all plug strips.

Prior to installing the Surge protection devices at your home, NHEC personnel will inspect and test your present grounding system, verify that the phone and cable are grounded at the main service entrance ground connection, and will make any minor repairs at that time. In the event it is discovered that more extensive rehabilitation or repair is required, NHEC will recommend that you contact a qualified electrician to make the necessary repairs to bring the grounding system up to the proper local and National Electric Code standards. In the event the phone and/or cable are not properly connected to the main service entrance ground, you should contact them to have a technician come out and properly ground their systems.

Also, the Socket tester should be used on all sockets to check for proper internal grounding. You should avoid plugging anything into a socket that doesn't have a proper ground.

7. What if my house is grounded to the public water lines?
You probably have a good ground system. However, it is recommended that you have an additional ground rod installed at the service entrance. This will provide you with the adequate grounding needed for the surge protection to work as designed and will also provide you with the added safety of that in the event the water company needs to replace the piping, you will maintain a safe and adequate ground at all times.

8. What if I live in an old house with two prong outlets?
If you live in an older home with two-blade outlets and would like to have the surge protection installed on your home, it is recommended that you contact a qualified electrician to have a ground rod system installed at the electrical service entrance. Installation of the ground rod is relatively inexpensive and will not only make your home safer, but you will allow you to be able to adequately protect your appliances from destructive surge damage by the installaton of the HomeShield(tm). However, you can only partially protect your electronics (the plug in units will add no additional protection).

9. Who Installs the HomeShield(tm) meter unit, plug-ins and UPS unit?
Under the program, only NHEC personnel are authorized to install the HomeShield(tm) meter base unit. The member can easily install both the plug strip protectors and the UPS system.

10. What if I need additional plug-in units?
You can purchase additional plug strip protectors when you signup or you can contact NHEC to order additional units, which will be mailed to you immediately.

11. What happens if a surge protection unit indicates that it is damaged?
Contact NHEC and we will send you a post-paid envelope with a new replacement unit at no charge. Please put the damaged unit in the envelope and just drop it in the mail. If the HomeShield(tm) device at the meter is damaged due to a surge you will hear an audible alarm. Contact NHEC immediately and NHEC will replace the HomeShield(tm) unit at no charge.

12. What happens if I do incur surge damage?
Just contact NHEC and we will be glad to assist you with filing a warranty claim with the manufacturer.

13. What if I need additional plug-in units?
You can purchase additional plug strip protectors when you signup or you can contact NHEC to order additional units, which will be mailed to you immediately.

14. What is this UPS thing? I thought UPS was a package delivery company.
UPS is a package delivery company. Our UPS is really "uninterruptible power supply". This allows your computer to continue to run on battery backup power in the event of a power outage. It will give you 5 to 15 minutes in order to save your work and shut down your programs (software included will do this automatically). It is safer for a computer to be shut down properly than for it to be shut off improperly. UPS units also provide surge protection with four outlets: two for battery backup/surge protection and two for just surge protection. You should probably put your monitor and computer on the backup/surge protection outlets and your printer on the surge protection outlet.

15. Can I get more time or larger batteries with my UPS unit?
Yes, we sell a larger unit known as the ES800. It will provide 45% more backup time than the ES550 on your computer. Keep in mind that this is relative to your computer only. Each computer has a different energy draw.

16. What is AVR (automatic voltage regulation) on the UPS units?
AVR means that the computer actually runs off the batteries all the time. The batteries are charged by the line power. These batteries provide a constant level voltage. This should make the computer last longer and perform better. Normal fluctuations in voltage can wear down computer components. Many less expensive UPS units do not provide AVR.

17. Can I use UPS on my plasma TV or other sensitive electronics equipment besides my computer?
Absolutely, and you will receive the same warranty and insurance protection.

18. Can I just buy the UPS unit without the whole surge system.
Yes. See the pricing table.

19. Do I have to install the shut down software with the UPS unit?
No, but you should shut the computer down manually in the event of an outage.

20. What is the Warranties and Insurance for the Surge Protection System and UPS system? What is covered and what is not covered?
See the table for warrantees.

21. What is the cost of the surge protection system and UPS unit?
See the table for pricing.

22. I can't seem to get my UPS shut down software to work. Who should I call?
As the Co-op doesn't have staff or expertise to help in this area, please call OPTI technical support.

23. What if I am unsatisfied with my purchase or just don't think I need it?
Return the units to NHEC in their original packaging within 30 days and you will receive a full refund. Unfortunately, NHEC will not pay for return shipping.