Surge Protection Awareness
When Broadband service is installed, the installer installs a surge protector for the Broadband modem. This device not only protects the Broadband modem from electrical surges through the power line, but it protects the Broadband (phone) line as well. If the supplied surge protector has been used for protecting other equipment or disconnected all together, your Broadband service and modem is at risk!
"Why should I care?"
Although the Broadband equipment at your residence is property of GulfTel Internet, we hope you would take care of it as if it were your own. Ensuring the modem is protected from surges not only gives you peace of mind, but helps keep the cost of internet service down. At nearly $400 per modem, it's easy to see how important surge protection is, not only for us, but for you the customer.
"What can I do to make sure the modem is protected?"
Check to make sure both the modem power supply and Broadband line (phone) cords are connected to the surge protector. We currently have 2 types of surge protectors in use, both of which do identical jobs:
GulfTel Broadband surge protectors
The picture below shows a typical Broadband modem installation. Note, the cords have been shortened for demonstrative purposes.
GulfTel Broadband installed components
A correct installation has a Broadband line (phone) cord that comes out of the jack in the wall and is connected to the INPUT jack on the surge protector.
Line cord connected to Broadband jack and surge protector
From the OUTPUT jack on the surge protector, you should have another Broadband line (phone) cord connecting to the WAN port on the back of the Broadband modem.
Proper line cord installation
The power supply for the Broadband modem should be plugged into the AC outlet on the front of the protector. This Broadband pipe is protected.
"My Broadband line (phone) cord is not going though a surge protector. It goes directly to the Broadband box."
Your Broadband modem is not sufficiently protected. Following the above notes, connect the Broadband lines and power supply to the surge protector.
"I was not given a surge protector at the time of installation"
Due to supply issues with our distributors, we may have been out of surge protectors at the time your Broadband service was installed. You may pick up a surge protector at our Foley or Gulf Shores business offices. When you get it home, follow the above steps to install the surge protector. If you are unable to come by our business offices, please call us at 952-5100 and we will gladly send one to you.
"My surge protector was damaged and I have bypassed it to get online"
We ask that you bring your damaged surge protector by either of our business offices for replacement.
Please be sure to install the new surge protector promptly.
"Can I use your surge protector to protect my computer from power surges?"
The surge protector
provided by GulfTel is meant to protect the Broadband modem only. We cannot
be responsible for any other devices that are connected to the
protector should it fail. We urge you purchase a separate surge protector for
your computer. These are readily available from many sources,
including our resellers, discount stores, or online.
"My computer was damaged by lightning and I had your surge protector properly installed. Will Gulftel repair my computer?"
We're sorry, but we cannot accept responsibility for any damage your
computer may incur from electrical surges. (And please note the need
to buy a surge protector for your computer mentioned in the previous
question.)
However, many surge protectors come with insurance for
computers that are damaged by electrical surges while properly
connected to the surge protector. If your computer's surge protector
comes with this feature (which is usually listed on the product
packaging), contact the manufacturer of the surge protector to find out
how you can file a claim. And when in doubt during lightning storms,
don't hesitate to unplug your equipment from all power and data sources
for the duration of inclement weather.
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