Protect Your Appliances

Refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers are expensive. Naturally, when a person purchases such an appliance, they hope that it will last for a while before it has to be replaced. An occurrence that can dash that hope is an electrical surge brought about by a thunderstorm.

Meter can

Lightning is powerful and unpredictable. Depending on how close it strikes, damage is unavoidable. However, New-Mac Electric provides for a monthly lease a layer of protection that might help your major appliances to weather the storms.

For $5 per month (plus a $25 installation fee), New-Mac will install a device called a meter can at your residential service. This protective measure gives warranty coverage to major appliances located inside your home, such as a refrigerator, stove, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, freezer and an electric furnace. The meter can’s warranty does not cover phones, computers or home-entertainment electronics (TVs, satellite receivers, etc.), New-Mac highly recommends plug-in strips with phone line and coaxial cable connection points for such applications. These types of strips are commonly available at retail and home-improvement stores.

The meter can is a plastic collar installed in your meter base. Your meter then fits directly into the “can,” extending the meter out a few inches from the base. Once it is installed, you need to check the indictor light(s) on the side of the collar after each storms passes to see if the light(s) are still illuminated (MORE DETAILS BELOW). If the lights are fully shining or flickering, the unit is operational. If the light(s) are no longer visible, the unit has expended itself for the sake of your appliances and needs replaced. In that event, call the New-Mac office, and we will install a replacement at no additional charge.

For more information about the meter can, ask for Tamara in our Member Services Department at 417-451-1515 or 800-322-3849.

 

New-Mac offers surge protection for well pumps

New-Mac Electric has surge protection available for well pumps, which can be purchased at the co-op for $99.49.

 

Well pumps are particularly vulnerable during thunderstorms due to lightning-to-ground electrical surges. Usually damage occurs when lightning strikes the earth and travels through the soil to the steel casing of a well. However, damage may be minimized with a surge protector installed at the control box.

The unit, available at both New-Mac offices, requires hard-wire installation by an electrician (New-Mac does not install).

Once installed, there is a red indicator light (on the front of the unit) that will remain illuminated ONLY when the pump is running. It will not be lit when the pump is in standby mode. This should be checked following every storm. If the red light goes out (while the pump is running), the unit likely has absorbed a surge and has been expended, meaning the protector performed its intended purpose. If that occurs, a new unit must be purchased from the co-op.

Damage to the well pump or control box is not covered by warranty. New-Mac recommends that you check with your insurance agent about well pump coverage. Also, if you incur damage, make sure you do not dispose of the damaged pump until after it is inspected by the insurance adjuster.

For more information, ask for Tamara in our Member Services Department at 417-451-1515 or 800-322-3849.

 

How to check your meter can indicator lights

New-Mac Electric’s meter can provides a layer of protection for the white-good appliances in your home. Remember it can only protect if it is fully functional. If you have a meter can installed, you need to remember to check the unit’s indicator light(s) after the passing of each thunderstorm.

Currently, New-Mac has meter cans installed from three manufacturers. These units are plastic collars that extend the meter out a few inches from the base. Your meter can and its indicator lights will be one of the following:
(1) light gray with two red lights on the underside
(2) gray with two green lights on the right-hand side
(3) gray with a single orangish red light on the right-hand side.

During the day these lights are challenging to see without shading. It is much easier to check these lights after the sun has gone down for the evening. If the lights are fully shining or flickering, the unit is operational. If the light(s) are no longer visible, the unit has expended itself for the sake of your appliances and needs replaced. In that event, call the New-Mac office, and we will install a replacement at no additional charge.