Whole House Surge Protection
What is a Power Surge?
At a basic level, a power surge occurs when wiring overheats and starts to burn. This commonly occurs when an increase in voltage substantially exceeds the standard designated flow of electricity – usually 120 volts.
Your home or office probably contains many important electronic equipment or appliances. Computers, phones, fax machines, entertainment systems, security systems, game centers. All are expensive and you depend on them every day.
Many of these items have circuitry or microchips that are overly sensitive to fluctuations in voltage. The slightest surge or spike in power can put a strain on these items, compromising their performance. Or worse yet, completely destroying them.
Surge protection quickly changes from a luxury to a necessity.
What Causes Power Surges?
The operation of heavy-duty electrical devices is one of the most common reasons for power surges. Refrigerators and air conditioners are just a few appliances that require a significant amount of electricity to turn motors and compressors on and off.
Four Causes of Power Surges:
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Defective electrical wiring.
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Down power lines.
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Problems with utility company’s power lines, transformers or other components
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While less common, lighting can also cause power surges. Lighting can increase electrical pressure in wiring by millions of volts, overwhelming even the best surge protectors.
Five Crucial Factors When Purchasing a Surge Protector
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Make sure your surge protector has enough ports. Most surge protectors come with six to eight ports. If you need more, buy a surge protector with more. Don’t connect surge protectors together.
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Consider what electronic equipment you'll plug into the surge protector. You don’t want to spend extra money on a higher-end surge protector if you don’t have to. Your TV and home entertainment center will require a more robust (and more expensive) surge protector while a phone and lamp need a more basic one.
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Check for the UL seal, and make sure it says "transient voltage surge suppressor." This label means your surge protector has met Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) standards and is safe for you to use in your home.
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Check the surge protector's energy absorption rating, and its "clamping voltage." The absorption rating is how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. Try to find one with at least 500 joules. Higher is better.
The clamping voltage is the voltage that will trigger the surge protector. I.e., when the surge protector wakes up and starts absorbing energy. Look for one around 400 V or less. Lower is better.
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Read the warranty carefully. Some surge protectors warranty the devices connected to it for some amount of damages if a power surge does get through. Check to see what's covered (and what’s not), and how you to file a claim if your surge protector fails.
When buying a surge protector, look for the words, “surge protection,” “fused strip,” or “interrupter switch.” If it says “power strip,” stay away. It most likely does not offer surge protection.
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A Surge Protector is Not a Power Strip
The first thing you need to know that a surge protector is not a power strip. While they may look the same, they serve two very different purposes.
A power strip just splits your outlet into multiple ports.
A surge protector is designed to protect your electronic devices against power surges, interference or “noise” on your power line.
When looking for a surge protector on Amazon or in a department store, read the description carefully. Just because a power strip is in the same category as surge protectors, or even hanging next to surge protectors, don’t assume it is one.
Whole House Surge Protectors
Many homeowners believe that surge protection means plugging their devices into a low-cost, multi-outlet surge protector.
That's false.
A power surge can follow any wire into a home and threaten phone, fax, computers, televisions and other equipment. A simple surge protector will not help you.
If you want complete protection of every outlet in your home, install a whole home surge protection system.
A whole house surge protector must be hard-wired into the main electrical panel by a licensed electrician.
Multi-outlet power strip surge protectors should only be used as a backup to absorb any excess power that gets through your whole house surge protector.
Call Us Today. Get Protected Tomorrow.
Don't go another day without protecting you precious, costly electronic equipment with surge protection. Contact us today to discover how whole house surge protection can put your mind at ease.
One of our professional, knowledgeable and friendly electricians will stop by when it’s convenient for you.