Protect Your Home with a Whole-Home Surge Protector
A whole-home surge protector is essential for safeguarding your major appliances and electrical systems from power surges. When your electrical system is overloaded, it can damage appliances like your air conditioner, refrigerator, and water heater. To understand the installation and benefits of whole-home surge protectors, let’s take a closer look.
Types of Surge Protectors
There are three main types of surge protectors available for your home. While each type is effective in its own way, the best defense against both internal and external power surges is a type 2 whole-home surge protector. These protectors are installed directly into your home’s main electrical panel and provide the most comprehensive protection.
The Installation Process
Installing a whole-home surge protector typically takes a few hours and must be done by a licensed electrician to avoid hazards. The electrician will shut off the power and mount the surge protector inside the electrical panel, ideally near the main breaker panel. In some cases, the main breaker panel may need to be replaced to accommodate the surge protector. The surge protector is connected to the panel’s grounding wire to redirect power surges away from your appliances and circuits.
How a Whole-Home Surge Protector Works
A whole-home surge protector constantly monitors the voltage flowing through your main electrical panel. When it detects a sudden spike, it isolates the panel to prevent high voltage from reaching your appliances. The surge protector then channels the current through the grounding wire and into a ground rod outside your home, dispersing the excess energy safely.
External vs. Internal Power Surges
Internal power surges happen due to circuit overloading or faulty appliances. Your home’s electrical system is designed to protect against these surges by tripping the circuit breaker. External power surges, often caused by lightning strikes, are more dangerous and can quickly damage appliances and circuit boards. A whole-home surge protector is crucial for defending against these external surges.
Get the Best Surge Protection for Your Home
If you’re considering whole-home surge protection, rely on the expertise of NSW Electric. Our licensed electricians have extensive experience installing surge protectors. Contact us today to learn more about our surge protection services or for any other electrical assistance you need.