Whole House Surge Protectors
Power surges occur when voltages exceed the standard 120 volts, potentially causing wires to overheat and burn. Homes and businesses are filled with electrical appliances—such as computers, TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, phones, and fax machines—that require protection from surges to prevent damage.
Many of these appliances contain sensitive microchips or circuitry that can be easily harmed by voltage fluctuations. Even a slight power spike can strain appliances, impair performance, or destroy them altogether.
Power Surge Causes
One of the most common causes of power surges is the operation of heavy-duty appliances, such as air conditioners, elevators, and refrigerators. These appliances require high voltage for motors and compressors to start and run, and the toggling of high-power devices can disrupt the flow of electricity, leading to surges.
Other common causes of power surges include:
- Downed power lines
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Issues with utility lines, transformers, or other equipment
Ratings in Surge Protection
Standard surge protectors work by passing electrical current from an outlet to the plugged-in device. When a surge occurs, the protector directs excess electricity to the grounding wire, leveling the voltage.
Major Ratings to look for when buying Surge Protectors
- Response Time: Choose a surge protector with a response time of less than a nanosecond. Longer response times leave appliances exposed to surges for too long.
- Energy Dissipation/Absorption: This rating reflects the amount of energy the surge protector can absorb before failing. A rating of 600 joules or higher is recommended for reliable protection.
- Clamping Voltage: This indicates the voltage level at which the protector will divert excess voltage to the ground. Lower clamping voltage ratings are better, with approved protectors offering ratings of 500V, 400V, or 330V.
Purchasing a Surge Protector
For standard electrical outlets, a surge protector with a built-in breaker ensures that the device will trip in the event of a surge. An indicator light is also a helpful feature to confirm the protector is functioning properly. Other features to consider include:
- GFCI protection
- Three-line protection
- Resettable circuit breakers
- Power shutdown protection
- Automatic warning devices and warranties
Some surge protectors also offer additional connections, such as coaxial inputs for cable TV, USB ports for computers, and phone line jacks.
Whole house Surge Protector
Power surges can enter a home through various wiring systems, putting appliances at risk. Many consumers believe that plugging appliances into multi-outlet surge suppressors is enough to protect them, but this isn’t always the case.
For comprehensive protection, it’s best to install a whole-house surge protector. A licensed electrician should handle the hardwiring of the surge protection unit into your home’s electrical panel. Delicate equipment like cable and telephone lines may also require dedicated smaller surge protectors.
Multi-outlet surge protectors can serve as secondary protection, ensuring that appliances remain safeguarded in case any excess power bypasses the primary surge protection system. With a properly installed and functioning surge protection system, both your appliances and your home will be protected.
Request a Quote
