A Homeowner’s Guide to Whole-House Surge Protection

The appliances in your home can easily sustain damage if you experience a voltage spike. The solution is to have a whole-house surge protector, which will block the electrical flow or ground the current to short it. This feature is installed on your electrical panel and will keep your appliances safe from all kinds of power surges. You can think of a whole-house surge protector as a pressure relief valve for your electrical system. Here’s what you need to know about this form of home protection.

When Do Voltage Strikes Occur?

Homeowners are often most concerned about lightning causing a voltage spike. In reality, the majority of surges occur due to large appliances in your home cycling on and off, which releases small bursts of energy. Another internal cause is circuit overload of electronics like washers, dryers, computers, TVs, refrigerators, and dishwashers. Together, these types of events cause between 60 and 80 percent of power surges.

The remaining surges are often due to direct lightning strikes, but other causes include fallen utility lines and changes to electric flow caused by usage in nearby houses that results in voltage fluctuations.

What Kinds of Electronics Can Voltage Spikes Damage?

All sophisticated electronics can suffer some damage due to power surges. Those with microprocessors (which are present in many modern electrical devices) are the most sensitive because they need exactly the right voltage to function. Such electronics include your heating and air conditioning system, various kitchen appliances, and entertainment systems. The loss of any of these is expensive, inconvenient, and possibly uncomfortable. Furthermore, repeated voltage spikes can reduce the lifespan of electronics over time.

Do You Need Whole-House Surge Protection?

If you have any of the above electronics in your home (and virtually all modern homes do), you need a whole-house surge protector. The aftermath of just one voltage spike can cost more than the purchase and installation of the device.

Who Can Install a Whole-House Surge Protector?

It’s dangerous for anyone but a professional to work with whole-house surge protectors. Plus, improper installation or a lack of grounding could prevent the whole-house surge protectors from working correctly, meaning you are still at risk for a voltage spike. A professional electrician will be familiar with the wiring of your service panel and can complete the job in a matter of hours.

You need a residential electrician who has experience installing whole-house surge protectors — such as the professionals at MMi Electrical. Contact us for a free electrical home inspection in addition to the installation.