Why these Ontario homeowners' TVs 'fried' from power outages
Two Ontario men were surprised after their large flat-screen TVs were ruined from surges due to separate electrical power outages.
"When I came home, I found out my Smart TV was broken. It was not working anymore as it was caught in a power cycle as a result of a power outage," Artak Arzumanyan of Pickering told CTV News Toronto.
Arzumanyan had to buy a new TV, and his "fried," three-year-old television now sits in his basement.
The $1,600 TV will turn on, but it shuts off and quickly fades to black.
"You can turn it on, but after a few seconds, it turns off, and you cannot use this TV anymore," said Arzumanyan.
Arzumanyan said he used a surge protector, a product meant to protect his electronic devices from excess voltage damage. He said he feels his electricity provider, Elexicon Energy, should replace his TV, so he filed a claim with the electricity provider's insurance company.
"I think they have to take responsibility for what happened," said Arzumanyan.
But, Arzumanyan's claim was denied.
A spokesperson from Elexicon Energy explained to CTV News Toronto that on Sept. 4, 2023, about 27,000 of its customers in Ajax, Pickering, and Whitby experienced many power outages within an hour. The outages were caused by a "load complication" at a HydroOne transformer station, which feeds upstream electrical supply to Elexicon Energy.
"Any customer claim regarding damaged electronics during these unplanned outages was promptly sent to Elexicon's insurer, The MEARIE Group, for consideration. MEARIE denied any such claims, stating in its response that Elexicon had no control over these power outages as they resulted from a loss of supply from HydroOne," the spokesperson said.
"We understand that power interruptions and voltage fluctuations are an inconvenience. Our dedicated teams strive to safeguard the electricity grid from outages, however, there are circumstances that are beyond our control that cause interruptions and fluctuations. We encourage customers to consider proactive measures to better protect their appliances and home electronics by installing a home panel surge protector and/or plug-in surge protectors to reduce potential impact from unforeseen outages."
In a separate incident, Brian Brodhagen of Brantford also experienced power surge damage to his TV despite using a surge protector. Brodhagen told CTV News there had been issues with power surges in his building, and when his TV was damaged, he wanted his building to pay to repair or replace it.
"The left side of the TV was light and the right side was dark and there was no picture. I want them to fix it," said Brodhagen.
When Brodhagen asked his apartment building to replace the set, he was told to file a claim through his tenant insurance, which he didn't want to do.
"When you put a claim through insurance, your insurance goes up, and I don't feel I should have to pay for it," said Brodhagen.
Rich Fisco, a technology expert with Consumer Reports, says surge protectors do not work 100 per cent of the time. He said they can expire or require replacing, depending on how much they have been used.
"Surge protectors actually do have an expiry date," said Fisco.
Fisco said surge protectors may have to be replaced every three to five years as they wear out protecting devices. A big jolt from a power outage could render one ineffective.
"It's like it gives up its life to protect the TV. When it's done, that's it – it's done. It's not coming back and it's time to get a new one," said Fisco.
Arzumanyan said he still feels his electricity provider should be held accountable for the damaging power surge which ruined his TV.
"I'm not expecting them to pay for my new TV or full price for my old TV, but I did expect them to take some responsibility for what happened," said Arzumanyan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump says he 'shouldn't have left' the White House as he closes campaign with increasingly dark message
Donald Trump, who said in Pennsylvania on Sunday that he regrets leaving the White House in 2021, is ending the 2024 campaign the way he began it – dishing out a stew of violent, disparaging rhetoric and repeated warnings that he will not accept defeat if it comes.
Guelph, Ont. woman says she was pushed to homelessness and 'thrown on the street'
For people living on the fringe of society, the line between the safety and security of a home and homelessness is very thin.
James Van Der Beek says he has colorectal cancer
The 'Dawson’s Creek' alum told People magazine in a statement published Sunday that he has colorectal cancer.
Where should Canada look to improve its housing situation? The answer may shock you
Housing experts argue widespread adoption of government-supported affordable housing, the growth of alternative models like co-operatives and co-housing, and the increased use of advanced building techniques could all play a role in improving Canada's housing system.
No strike notice so far as talks continue between Canada Post and workers' union
Canada Post says talks are continuing with the union that represents postal workers and neither side has given notice of a work stoppage.
U.K. prosecutors are mulling whether to charge Russell Brand over sex assault allegations
British prosecutors say they have been given a file of evidence from police about alleged sexual offenses by comedian Russell Brand and are considering whether to charge him.
Federal mediators on site for negotiations between B.C. port employer and union
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says federal mediators are standing by and ready to help hammer out a deal in order to avoid a labour disruption at ports across British Columbia.
Winnipeg transit union raises concerns over violence after bus driver has gun pointed at him
The executive vice-president of Winnipeg’s transit union is raising concerns over an increase in violent incidents on buses after an operator allegedly had a gun pointed at him early Friday morning in front of police headquarters.
Trump wants to narrow his deficit with women but he's not changing how he talks about them
Donald Trump's campaign has used sexist and crude language, expressing alarm at the idea of women voting differently than their partners.