Pool owners probably have given little thought to protecting their pool's electrical equipment from storms. Perhaps it's time they thought about it. When a lightning strike occurs, the electrical spike can be costly.

The flow of electricity is metered to be at a constant and even amount of current. Disruptions, such as surges, cause fluctuations to the electrical current that can instantly damage or destroy sensitive electrical components, based on the amount of the extra voltage in the system. Surges cause highs and lows in the amount of current by entering the electrical highway in your home - electrical wiring, television cable and/or telephone lines. Voltage surges are sometimes referred to as spikes.

"The momentary spike of electrical voltage can harm both high- and low-voltage pool equipment, says Ken Vierk of Sunsational Pool Systems in Orlando, Fla. High-voltage equipment includes the pool-pump motor, the spa air blower, heat pumps, pool and spa lights, and fiber-optic illuminators. Low-voltage power runs automation-control panels, displays and actuator valves.

The cost of replacing this equipment can be expensive. For a fraction of the replacement cost, homeowners can purchase surge-protection devices to guard against spikes.

The voltage surge-protector box is wired into the power line feeding the pool equipment. The protector unit senses the surge and disrupts the extra electricity, sending the spikes offline, and to neutral or ground wire to be safely absorbed by the ground.

Surge-protection devices for your pool equipment should be installed by a licensed, trained and insured electrical contractor. Warning: This is not a do-it-yourself job since high-voltage electricity is involved. Most systems protecting pool equipment could be priced at less than $750, depending on the amount and type of equipment, and your local service rates.

Although surge-protection devices can greatly reduce the effects of spikes on your pool equipment, no surge protection can guard against direct lightning hits that will immediately destroy the equipment and could even cause a household fire.