Today’s homes contain more sensitive electronic equipment than ever. TVs and computers are only part of the picture. Refrigerators, HVAC systems, washers and dryers, smart-home devices, security equipment and many other household systems now rely on electronic components that can be affected by voltage surges.
A home surge protector adds a layer of protection between damaging voltage spikes and the electrical equipment throughout your home.
But not all surge protectors work the same way. A plug-in power strip protects very differently from a professionally installed whole-home surge protective device.
Here’s what Louisville and Kentuckiana homeowners should know before choosing surge protection for their homes.
What Is a Power Surge?
A power surge is a brief increase in electrical voltage beyond the normal level supplied to your home.
Electrical Safety Foundation International identifies several potential sources of surges, including large appliances switching on or off, faulty wiring, power restoration, damaged power lines, utility grid switching and lightning. ESFI also notes that many surges originate from sources inside a building rather than only from severe weather.
Some surges are large and noticeable. Others may be relatively small and occur repeatedly over time.
Surge protective devices are designed to limit transient overvoltage before it reaches connected electrical equipment.
What Is a Whole-Home Surge Protector?
A whole-home surge protector, more formally called a surge protective device or SPD, is installed as part of your home’s electrical system.
Rather than protecting only the devices plugged into one outlet, a whole-home SPD helps protect electrical equipment throughout the house.
Depending on the type of device and installation, surge protection may be located at or near the home’s main electrical service or panel.
Laswell provides professional whole-home surge protection installation for homeowners throughout Louisville and surrounding Kentuckiana communities.
How Does Whole-Home Surge Protection Work?
When normal electrical conditions are present, the surge protective device essentially waits in the background.
When a transient voltage spike occurs, the SPD limits or diverts the excess surge energy so less of that voltage reaches equipment connected to the home’s electrical system.
NFPA defines an SPD as a device designed to limit transient voltage by diverting or limiting surge current. Type 1 and Type 2 devices are permanently connected, while Type 3 devices are point-of-use protection.
The goal isn’t to stop electricity from entering your home. It is to reduce damaging transient voltage before it reaches equipment that may be vulnerable to it.
What Can a Whole-Home Surge Protector Help Protect?
Modern homes contain electronics almost everywhere.
Whole-home surge protection can provide a layer of protection for equipment such as:
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Washers and dryers
- Heating and cooling equipment
- Televisions and entertainment systems
- Computers and networking equipment
- Smart-home devices
- Kitchen appliances
- Lighting controls
- Garage equipment
- Other connected electrical devices
ESFI specifically identifies HVAC systems, laundry equipment, water heaters, ranges, refrigerators, lighting and entertainment systems among equipment that may be damaged or have its lifespan reduced by surges.
One advantage of whole-home protection is that it can help protect equipment that cannot simply be plugged into a surge-protecting power strip.
Whole-Home Surge Protector vs. Surge-Protecting Power Strip
These devices serve different purposes.
Point-of-Use Surge Protection
A point-of-use surge protector is typically connected at an outlet and protects equipment plugged directly into it.
This can be useful for items such as:
- Computers
- Televisions
- Gaming systems
- Home office equipment
- Entertainment systems
It’s important to remember that an ordinary power strip is not automatically a surge protector. ESFI specifically warns that typical power strips do not provide surge protection unless they are designed and identified as surge protective devices.
Whole-Home Surge Protection
Whole-home protection is permanently connected to the electrical system and provides broader protection across the home.
ESFI recommends a layered approach using whole-building and point-of-use surge protection for the strongest overall protection.
In other words, the two approaches do not necessarily compete with each other. Point-of-use protection can supplement a whole-home system for particularly valuable or sensitive electronics.
Does a Whole-Home Surge Protector Protect Against Lightning?
This is an important distinction.
Surge protective devices can help protect against voltage surges associated with indirect or nearby lightning events, but they should not be confused with a complete lightning protection system.
ESFI specifically notes that surge protective devices cannot protect against a direct lightning strike or sustained overvoltage.
A lightning protection system serves a different purpose by providing a controlled path for lightning energy to reach the ground.
Are Power Surges Only Caused by Storms?
No.
Lightning gets much of the attention because it can produce dramatic electrical events, but power surges can occur even when the weather is clear.
Potential sources include:
- Large motors and appliances cycling on and off
- Electrical equipment within the home
- Faulty connections or wiring
- Utility switching
- Power restoration after an outage
- Damage to utility lines
- Nearby lightning activity
That’s why surge protection is designed to operate continuously rather than only during thunderstorms.
Louisville homeowners can also read more about surge protection during summer storm season and the additional electrical risks associated with severe weather.
Does a Whole-Home Surge Protector Replace Good Electrical Wiring?
No.
Surge protection addresses transient voltage events. It does not correct damaged wiring, improper electrical connections, overloaded circuits or other problems within the home’s electrical system.
If you’re experiencing flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers, burning odors, warm outlets or other warning signs, those issues need to be evaluated separately.
A professional electrical safety inspection can help identify concerns with wiring, electrical panels and other components of your home’s system.
Does Your Electrical Panel Matter?
Because whole-home surge protection is integrated with your electrical system, the condition and configuration of the electrical panel are part of planning an installation.
An electrician may evaluate:
- The existing electrical panel
- Available equipment space
- Service configuration
- Grounding and bonding
- Existing electrical conditions
- Manufacturer requirements for the selected SPD
Surge protection by itself does not mean an older or problematic panel needs replacement. However, if other concerns are discovered during evaluation, your electrician may recommend addressing those separately.
If your home’s panel is already outdated or struggling to support modern electrical demand, learn more about home electrical panel upgrades.
How Long Does a Whole-Home Surge Protector Last?
There isn’t one replacement interval that applies to every surge protective device.
SPDs are designed to handle transient voltage events, but their condition can change over time depending on the equipment and the surge events they experience.
Many devices include an indicator showing whether the unit is still providing protection. Homeowners should follow the manufacturer’s inspection and replacement recommendations for the specific device installed.
If an indicator shows that protection has been lost, the device has experienced a significant event or you’re unsure whether an older SPD is still operating properly, have it evaluated by a qualified electrician.
Is Whole-Home Surge Protection Worth It?
For many homeowners, the question comes down to how much electronic and electrically powered equipment exists throughout the house.
Consider everything connected to today’s electrical system: HVAC equipment, refrigerators, televisions, computers, smart appliances, networking hardware, entertainment systems and home automation equipment.
A whole-home SPD provides a layer of protection for many of those devices at once rather than requiring homeowners to rely exclusively on individual plug-in protectors.
It cannot eliminate every possible electrical risk, but it can reduce exposure to the types of transient voltage events it is designed to handle.
Do New Homes Need Surge Protection?
Surge protection has become an increasingly important part of modern residential electrical systems.
The 2020 National Electrical Code introduced requirements for Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective devices for dwelling-unit services, reflecting the growing amount of electronic equipment used in today’s homes.
Exact code requirements applicable to an individual home can depend on the jurisdiction, project and adopted electrical code, so homeowners should rely on their electrician and local authority for project-specific requirements.
Even when a home already has surge protection, it’s worth knowing where the device is located and how to determine whether it is still operating.
Whole-Home Surge Protection in Louisville, KY
Power surges aren’t limited to major thunderstorms, and protecting today’s electronics requires more than relying on basic power strips alone.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protective device can provide another layer of protection for appliances, HVAC equipment, electronics and other connected equipment throughout your home.
Laswell has served Louisville and Kentuckiana since 1995. Our licensed electricians can evaluate your electrical system and recommend a surge protection solution appropriate for your home.
Call Laswell at 502-231-6326 to discuss whole-home surge protection for your property.
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