WHOLE HOME SURGE PROTECTION

Why Residential Surge Protection Matters?

Power surges are sudden and unexpected spikes in voltage that can damage or destroy electronic devices and appliances. These surges can come from several sources, including lightning strikes, downed power lines, or even the switching on and off of large appliances within your home. Therefore, whole-house surge protection is a comprehensive solution designed to safeguard your entire home’s electrical system against these damaging surges.

What is Whole-House Surge Protection?

Whole-house surge protection involves installing a surge protector at the main electrical panel to protect all the circuits and outlets in your home. Unlike point-of-use surge protectors, which only protect individual devices, a whole-house surge protector defends against surges entering through the electrical system and distributes protection throughout your home.

How Does Whole-House Surge Protection Work?

Here’s a simplified breakdown of how whole-house surge protection functions:

1. Surge Detection: The surge protector is installed at the main electrical panel or breaker box. It effectively monitors the voltage levels coming into your home’s electrical system.

2. Surge Diversion: When a surge is detected, the surge protector instantly redirects the excess voltage away from your home’s electrical circuits and toward the grounding wire, effectively neutralizing the threat.

3. Continuous Protection: This process happens in microseconds, protecting your devices from even the briefest power spikes. The surge protector remains vigilant 24/7, providing ongoing protection.

Sources of Power Surges

Understanding where power surges come from helps illustrate why whole-house surge protection is essential:

1. Lightning Strikes: A lightning strike near power lines can send a massive surge through the electrical grid, causing extensive damage to homes without surge protection.

2. Utility Grid Switching: Changes or repairs in the utility grid can create surges that affect multiple homes.

3. Internal Sources: Large appliances, such as refrigerators or air conditioners, can generate internal power surges when they cycle on and off.

Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection

Whole-house surge protection offers several key advantages:

1. Comprehensive Coverage: It provides protection for your entire home, including hard-wired devices that plug-in surge protectors can’t safeguard.

2. Enhanced Safety: By preventing surges from damaging your electrical system, whole-house surge protectors reduce the risk of electrical fires.

3. Prolonged Appliance Life: Protecting your appliances from surges can extend their lifespan, saving you money on repairs and replacements.

4. Convenience: Once installed, whole-house surge protectors require little maintenance and provide continuous protection without the need for multiple devices or constant monitoring.

5. Insurance Benefits: Some homeowners’ insurance policies offer discounts for homes with whole-house surge protection, recognizing the reduced risk of electrical damage.

Installation of Whole-House Surge Protection

Here’s what to expect when installing whole-house surge protection:

1. Professional Assessment: A licensed electrician will evaluate your home’s electrical system and determine the best location for the surge protector. This will typically be at the main electrical panel.

2. Installation: The surge protector is installed at your main electrical panel. This involves connecting it to your home’s grounding system to ensure proper diversion of excess voltage. In some cases, it may be necessary to upgrade the electrical panel to allow for more space for surge protection to connect to the bussing of the electrical panel.

Types of Surge Protectors

Whole-house surge protectors come in several types, including:

1. Primary Surge Protectors: These are installed at the main electrical panel and provide the first line of defense against external surges.

2. Secondary Surge Protectors: These can be installed at individual branch panels or directly at key appliances for additional protection.

3. Power Strip Surge Protectors: While not part of whole-house systems, these provide supplementary protection for individual devices, particularly sensitive electronics.

Whole House Surge Protection and the NEC (National Electrical Code)

• NEC Requirements and Oregon Codes: The National Electrical Code (NEC) first introduced mandatory whole-house surge protection in the 2020 edition. The National Electrical Code (NEC) mandates equipping all electrical services for dwelling units with a Surge Protective Device (SPD) as per Article 230.67. This also includes single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, and even dormitories. These codes aim to enhance safety and reduce the risk of electrical fires and damage. Thus, understanding the NEC code related to surge protection can help ensure that your installation meets safety standards and provides optimal protection for your home.

  While the NEC serves as a national benchmark, individual states and localities adopt these codes at their own pace.

  Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that your state has adopted the 2020 NEC update regarding surge protection. Accordingly, you should visit your local license Electrical Contractor to check whether or not your State or local jurisdiction has adopted this portion of the NEC. 

Maintenance and Testing

– Visual Inspection: Periodically check the surge protector for any signs of wear or damage, such as burnt marks or corrosion.

– Replacement: Surge protectors have a finite lifespan and can degrade over time, especially after repeated surges. Consequently, you’ll need to replace them as recommended by the manufacturer or if they show signs of failure. Several models will have Green LED indicator lights suggesting that they are still operational and do not need replacing at that time. When a surge protector needs replacing, it’s a strong sign it has successfully shielded your home.

Conclusion

Investing in whole-house surge protection is a proactive step in safeguarding your home’s electrical system against unpredictable power surges. Therefore, by installing a surge protector at your main panel, you provide comprehensive protection for all your appliances and electronic devices, enhancing safety and extending the lifespan of your investments. For the best results, consult a licensed electrician to assess your needs and ensure proper installation.

Need More Information?
For more information on protecting your home’s electrical system, visit (https://Call-EdgeWise.com) for an electrician in the Salem/Keizer Oregon area.