UPDATE 12/2/22: Electronics Recycling

[kalianna]

I can't blame Helco or power surges. My computer was 15 years old. And humidity is the main culprit. Mold. Inside lenses, drives, etc. I now keep my cameras and batteries in a dry box and buy cheap drives, backed up to the cloud.

[terracore]

Ouch.  Sounds like you need some UPS and/or surge protection.

HELCO burnt up the surge protectors everything was plugged into as well.  They are thorough.  

Just curious if you tried to use the "warranty" a lot of the surge protectors claim to offer if their products don't protect your equipment?  I'm just guessing they are probably a marketing gimmick but have always wondered if anybody has had any luck with them.

[Obie]

HereOnThePrimalEdge

Don't you live oceanfront ?

Salt and humidity are your problem.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Salt and humidity 
…
Warranty 

Most of the equipment was damaged when the HELCO line to my house collapsed and damaged the connection to the meter, which caused a ground fault. That seesawed the voltage back and forth between 105 and 135 volts.  The surge protectors smoked, melted, and burned black in places. I didn’t try calling the surge protector companies because I assumed they would (rightly) blame HELCO as the source of the problem.  HELCO said it was my fault. There’s a woman at the company who I believe works full time to not pay out claims with her magical thinking.

[Obie]

If the damage is at your meter base then it's your responsibility.
I had the same thing happen. Their wiring ends at the spices to your meter drop and you are also responsible for supporting the wire to your house.

[terracore]

What about homeowner's insurance?

[AaronM]

Worth the deductible?

[Durian Fiend]

If the damage is at your meter base then it's your responsibility.
I had the same thing happen. Their wiring ends at the spices to your meter drop and you are also responsible for supporting the wire to your house.

A meter based surge protector is a good investment for those on the grid.