Personalized Whole-Home Surge Protection
Most experts agree that homeowners could benefit from whole-home surge protection. The National Electrical Code added it as a requirement in the 2020 update. Homes built before then likely don’t have protection, and homeowners should consider adding it to bring their homes up to code. Homeowners in newer homes should still schedule an inspection. There are different types of protection, and it helps to know which components your home has and which it doesn’t.
There are three main types of surge protection used for residential applications: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Type 3 is by far the most common. This includes the outlet-specific surge protectors that many people use to protect their televisions, computers, and more. You generally don’t need an electrician to install a Type 3 device. That said, our electricians can provide guidance about product choices and configurations. Our team can also install outlets that have integrated protection.
Type 2, or point-of-use (POU), surge protectors are common in new homes. We install these directly into a home’s electrical panel. They provide protection against external surges. That includes direct lightning strikes and blown transformers. It also protects against internal surges and spikes, such as from a heat pump or standby generator kicking on.
A Type 1, or panel-mount surge protector, provides protection between the electrical power and the main electrical line. This configuration does not protect against internal surges, but it provides even more robust protection against external ones. You can install Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 and have them all work together. Type 1 can protect against even the most devastating direct lightning strikes. Type 2 serves as the second line of defense and protects against internal power issues. Type 3 provides local protection for your electronic devices.
Surge protection degrades through use. Residential units typically don’t require repairs or rebuilding. They have status indicators that show you the protection is active. When those lights go out, such as after a lightning event, you know to schedule a replacement.
The are many benefits to whole-home surge protection:
- Peace of mind
- Electronics protection
- Electrical fire avoidance
- Extended appliance life
- Money saved on repairs