Does gfci protect from lightning ?

[Stevenfyeager]

A friend asked me if his garage outlets had been gfci, would it have saved his panel board in his garage door opener motor when lightning close by damaged it.

 

[tom baker]

No.
SPDS can, but not if a direct strike.
Put an spd at point of use for electronics, and a panel type at the service.

 

[Little Bill]

I've seen lightning blow out (literally) a GFCI receptacle in a garage and also cause damage to the door opener. A GFCI is not a surge protection device.

 

[paulengr]

A friend asked me if his garage outlets had been gfci, would it have saved his panel board in his garage door opener motor when lightning close by damaged it.

No. A GFCI has nothing to do with lightning protection. Even if somehow it triggered the lightning pulse is too fast.

 

[kwired]

I wouldn't say never, a lesser surge could trip it before the nearby strike occurs, then the load side item is more isolated. Certainly wouldn't count on that to happen though.

 

[ptonsparky]

The older GFCIs seemed to love lightning.