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- info@remtechdestvinstallers.co.za
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The short answer
Use a good surge protector on the decoder and TV, have an electrician check your earthing, and unplug equipment in severe storms. Surge protectors reduce damage from power spikes, including those when load shedding ends, but nothing stops a direct strike. Keep your invoices and photos for insurance.
Summer thunderstorms bring frequent lightning, and a dish is a metal object on a roof with cables running into your home. A strike nearby can push a surge down the cable and through the mains. Power returning after load shedding can also send a spike into your equipment.
| Entry point | What happens | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Mains power | Spikes at the plug, especially when power returns | A surge protector or a UPS with surge protection |
| Coax cable from the dish | A nearby strike induces a surge that travels to the decoder | Surge protection for the cable, fitted by an installer or electrician |
| Network and HDMI cables | Surges can travel along them to connected equipment | Protect network equipment, and unplug in severe storms |
| The dish and mast | A direct strike can’t be fully prevented | Correct earthing, done by a qualified person |
Good earthing gives a surge somewhere safe to go. Ask a qualified electrician to check your main earthing, and whether protection at the distribution board makes sense for your home. Don’t attempt earthing work yourself.
Keep invoices, serial numbers and photos of your setup. Check whether your policy covers lightning and power surges, and report damage quickly. Ask your insurer what proof they need. A written report from your installer on what failed can help.
See also: the storm season checklist · DStv after a power cut.
No. They reduce damage from surges. A direct strike can overwhelm any protector.
Unplugging in severe storms is the safest habit, especially for a TV, decoder and router.
Many policies do, but terms differ. Check yours and ask what proof is required.
Yes. The LNB is exposed on the dish, and it is a common casualty. See what a Smart LNB is.
A UPS with surge protection helps, but the cable from the dish is a separate route. Ask your installer about it.
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