Power surges are sudden, brief spikes in electrical voltage that can cause serious damage to your home’s electronic devices and appliances. While lightning strikes are the most dramatic example of what can trigger a surge, there are many other causes, like everyday appliance cycling or issues with power lines.
These surges can go unnoticed, but over time, they add up—slowly degrading your expensive devices, or in some cases, frying them instantly. Imagine coming home after a storm only to find that your brand-new TV or computer has stopped working, or worse, catching a spark that leads to a house fire. It’s a costly and dangerous reality that many homeowners face, yet few are adequately protected against.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what causes power surges, how they can impact your home and devices, and most importantly, how you can protect your home using whole-house surge protectors. These devices offer a reliable solution, shielding both your appliances and your family from the potential hazards of electrical surges. Let’s dive into why surge protection is not just a good idea—it’s a necessity.
5 Reasons Power Surges Happen
Understanding why power surges happen is the first step toward protecting your home from these potentially costly events. Below are five common reasons power surges occur and what you can do to safeguard your electrical system.
1. Lightning Strikes
One of the most well-known causes of power surges is lightning. When lightning strikes near a power line, it can send a surge of electricity through the wiring into your home. A single lightning strike can introduce tens of thousands of volts into your electrical system, overwhelming appliances and causing irreversible damage. Even though lightning strikes may seem rare, the damage they cause can be devastating, making surge protection essential, especially during storm seasons.
2. Cycling of High-Power Appliances
Your large household appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines, cycle on and off every day. These devices require a lot of energy to operate, which can create small power fluctuations. Although these fluctuations may not be noticeable at first, over time, they contribute to wear and tear on your electronic devices. This gradual accumulation of small surges can significantly shorten the lifespan of your electronics, leading to unexpected failures and expensive replacements.
3. Downed Power Lines
When a power line goes down—whether due to storms, accidents, or other issues—it can cause a sudden change in the electrical supply. This disruption can lead to surges that affect not just your home but also nearby properties. Downed power lines are a particularly dangerous cause of surges because they often happen without warning and can cause sudden spikes in voltage, resulting in significant damage to unprotected electronics.
4. Faulty or Old Wiring
Older homes or those with faulty wiring are especially vulnerable to power surges. Wiring that is frayed, exposed, or improperly installed can lead to inconsistent electrical flow throughout the home. This can result in power surges when the wiring malfunctions. In addition to posing a fire hazard, faulty wiring makes it difficult to control the flow of electricity, increasing the risk of surges.
5. Sudden Changes in Electrical Usage
If you live near industrial facilities or businesses that use a significant amount of power, their fluctuating electricity demands can cause surges in your home. When these facilities cycle large machinery or equipment on and off, the sudden change in power demand can create voltage spikes that travel through the local power grid and into residential homes. Even if you’re miles away, these surges can affect your home’s electrical system.
What Are The Benefits Of Whole-House Surge Protectors?
While plug-in surge protectors offer some level of protection for individual items, whole-house solutions provide a higher degree of safety, ensuring all the electronics and appliances in your home are shielded from damaging voltage spikes. The benefits of full-home surge protectors include the following points…
1. Whole-House Surge Protectors Keep All Of Your Electronics and Appliances Safe
Unlike small plug-in surge protectors, which can only protect individual devices, whole-house surge protectors cover everything connected to your home’s electrical system. This includes your major appliances—like refrigerators, washers, dryers, and HVAC systems—along with smaller electronics such as televisions, computers, and gaming consoles. By stopping surges at the main panel, whole-house surge protectors prevent damaging spikes from ever entering your home’s wiring, giving you complete peace of mind that your appliances and electronics are protected from potential damages.
2. How Whole-House Surge Protectors Work To Prevent Expensive Damage
Power surges can destroy expensive electronics and appliances in an instant. Imagine the cost of replacing a refrigerator, entertainment system, or home office setup after a severe surge. A whole-house surge protector, though it requires an initial investment, can save you thousands of dollars in the long run by offering surge suppression and preventing these costly repairs or replacements. Even minor surges, if left unchecked, can wear down appliances over time, shortening their lifespan and leading to expensive failures. By intercepting these surges, a whole-house protector helps ensure that your appliances run smoothly for years to come.
3. Whole-House Surge Protectors Offer Protection Against Lightning Strikes
While many surges come from within the home, lightning strikes are a major external cause of power surges that can wreak havoc on unprotected homes. A whole-house surge protector offers crucial defense against lightning-induced voltage spikes. Even if lightning strikes a power line far from your home, the surge can travel through the grid and into your home’s electrical system. Whole-house surge protectors intercept these surges before they can reach your appliances, potentially saving you from significant financial and property damage.
4. Whole-House Surge Protectors Reduce the Risk of Electrical Fires
In some cases, severe power surges can do more than just damage your electronics—they can cause sparks or even start fires if the electrical system becomes overwhelmed. Without proper surge protection, overloaded outlets, and faulty wiring are more likely to spark or ignite during a surge. Whole-house surge protectors not only protect your electronics but also reduce the risk of these dangerous scenarios, keeping your family and home safe from fire hazards.
5. Whole-House Surge Protectors Offer Comprehensive Home Safety
Whole-house surge protectors contribute to overall home safety by reducing the likelihood of electrical malfunctions that could result in fires, sparks, or other hazards. During a significant surge, unprotected appliances and electrical outlets can malfunction, potentially producing dangerous sparks or flames. By installing a whole-house surge protector, you are safeguarding not just your devices but your home and loved ones from these potentially catastrophic events.
6. Whole-House Surge Protectors Provides Long-Term Savings and Peace of Mind
Though installing a whole-house surge protector comes with an upfront cost, the long-term savings can be substantial. Replacing just one major appliance can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, whereas a surge protector typically represents a one-time investment. Additionally, knowing that your home is fully protected offers significant peace of mind, especially during stormy seasons or in areas prone to power fluctuations.
7. Whole-House Surge Protectors Safeguard Your Sensitive Electronics
Modern homes are filled with sensitive electronics, from smart home systems and computers to home theaters and gaming consoles. These devices are particularly vulnerable to power surges, even small ones, which can disrupt or permanently damage their internal circuits. Whole-house surge protectors ensure that these delicate devices are protected, even from the smaller surges that happen within your home, such as those caused by appliance cycling.
Myths About Whole-Home Surge Protectors
Many homeowners may think they’re already protected or that they only need surge protection in certain situations, but these myths can leave your home vulnerable. Let’s debunk some of the most widespread misconceptions about surge protectors.
1. Myth: I Only Need Surge Protection During Thunderstorms
Many people believe that surge protection is only necessary when lightning strikes or during severe weather. While lightning strikes are one of the most well-known causes of power surges, they aren’t the only source. Everyday events, like the cycling of large appliances (refrigerators, air conditioners) or issues with power lines, can also create surges. In fact, the majority of power surges are caused by internal sources within the home and can happen anytime, not just during storms. Whole-house surge protectors provide constant protection, regardless of the weather.
2. Myth: Power Strips with Surge Protection Are Enough
It’s a common misconception that plug-in power strips with built-in surge protection offer sufficient defense against surges. While these strips do provide a basic level of protection for small devices, they are limited in capacity and cannot protect your entire home’s electrical system. Additionally, they only shield devices plugged into them and may not be effective against larger surges, such as those caused by lightning strikes or downed power lines. Whole-house surge protectors, installed at the main electrical panel, safeguard all of your appliances and electronics from surges, not just the ones connected to a power strip.
3. Myth: Surge Protectors Last Forever
Many homeowners assume that once they install a surge protector, it will last indefinitely. In reality, surge protectors have a limited lifespan and can wear out over time, especially after absorbing a large surge. Every surge a protector absorbs reduces its effectiveness slightly, and eventually, it will need to be replaced. Most whole-house surge protectors come with indicator lights or alerts to let you know when they need to be serviced or replaced. It’s important to periodically check and maintain your surge protection system to ensure continued safety.
4. Myth: I Don’t Need a Whole-House Surge Protector if I Have Circuit Breakers
While circuit breakers (also called a load center) are designed to prevent electrical overloads and protect against short circuits, they do not protect against power surges. A circuit breaker’s job is to shut off the electrical flow when it detects an overload, but it won’t stop the fast, high-voltage spikes that characterize a power surge. Surge protectors, on the other hand, are specifically designed to divert excess voltage away from your home’s electrical system. Both circuit breakers and surge protectors serve different functions and work together to ensure your home’s safety.
5. Myth: Surge Protectors Are Only Necessary for Expensive Electronics
Many people believe that surge protectors are only worth the investment if they’re protecting high-end or expensive electronics, like a home theater system or a gaming PC. However, power surges can damage everyday appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, all of which are costly to replace. Even small electronics, such as phone chargers and routers, can be impacted by repeated surges. Whole-house surge protectors ensure that all your home’s electronics and appliances—big or small—are shielded from damage.
6. Myth: Installing a Whole-House Surge Protector is Too Expensive
While the upfront cost of installing a whole-house surge protector may seem high compared to individual plug-in protectors, it’s actually a cost-effective investment in the long run. The cost of replacing just one major appliance after a surge can easily exceed the price of installing a whole-house protector. When you consider the value of all the electronics and appliances in your home, the investment in whole-house protection quickly becomes a smart financial decision.
7. Myth: Surge Protectors Are Only Needed in Older Homes
Some homeowners think that newer homes with modern wiring don’t need surge protection, but surges can happen in any home, old or new. Regardless of your home’s age, power surges caused by external events (like downed power lines) or internal events (like large appliance cycling) can still affect your electrical system. Whole-house surge protectors offer protection for any home, regardless of how new or advanced the wiring may be.
Tips For Choosing A Whole-Home Surge Protection Device
Choosing the right surge protector for your home is essential to ensuring maximum protection for your electronics and appliances. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know which features to prioritize and what will offer the best defense against power surges.
1. Determine the Type of Protection You Need
The first step in choosing the right surge protector is determining the level of protection your home requires. There are two primary types of surge protectors:
- Whole-House Surge Protectors: Installed at the main electrical panel, these protect your entire home from both internal and external power surges. They are the best choice for comprehensive protection, safeguarding all devices and appliances, including major ones like HVAC systems, refrigerators, and washing machines.
- Plug-in Surge Protectors: These are smaller devices that protect individual appliances or electronics. They are ideal for high-value or sensitive electronics like computers, home theater systems, and gaming consoles, but they won’t offer full-home protection.
For the best defense, a combination of both types is often recommended—whole-house surge protectors at the panel and plug-in protectors for your most sensitive or valuable devices.
2. Look for the UL 1449 Certification
One of the most important factors when selecting a surge protector is making sure it is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), specifically the UL 1449 certification. This rating ensures that the surge protector meets specific safety and performance standards. When shopping for whole-house or plug-in protectors, always check for this certification on the packaging or product description to confirm you’re getting a reliable and safe device.
3. Check the Joules Rating
The joules rating on a surge protector indicates how much energy the device can absorb before it fails. The higher the joules rating, the more protection it offers. For whole-house surge protectors, aim for a device with a minimum of 1,000 to 2,000 joules. For plug-in protectors used for expensive electronics, a rating of 2,000 joules or higher is ideal.
| Protection Level | Joules | Best Use Case |
| Low-Intensity Protection | 500–1,000 joules | Suitable for small electronics like lamps or chargers |
| Medium-Intensity Protection | 1,000–2,000 joules | Great for appliances like refrigerators or microwaves |
| High-Intensity Protection | 2,000+ joules | Ideal for computers, TVs, and entertainment systems |
4. Response Time and Clamping Voltage
There are two important technical aspects to consider when choosing a surge protector are response time and clamping voltage.
- Response Time: This refers to how quickly the surge protector reacts to a power spike. The faster the response time, the better the protection. Look for surge protectors with a response time of less than 1 nanosecond.
- Clamping Voltage: This is the voltage level at which the surge protector kicks in to divert excess voltage away from your devices. The lower the clamping voltage, the better. The best surge protectors typically have a clamping voltage of 400 volts or lower, with many high-quality models having a clamping voltage around 330 volts.
5. Consider Installation and Maintenance
For whole-house surge protectors, professional installation by a licensed electrician is required. These devices are installed at the main electrical panel and need to be properly grounded to function correctly. When choosing a whole-house protector, consider the ease of installation and ensure that the protector you choose includes clear installation guidelines or comes with professional assistance.
Additionally, whole-house surge protectors, while durable, will need to be replaced after absorbing a large surge or after several years of use. Look for models that include indicator lights or alert systems to notify you when the device is no longer functioning and requires replacement.
6. Energy Absorption Capacity
Another important factor is the energy absorption capacity. This refers to the amount of electrical energy the surge protector can safely absorb before it fails. Whole-house surge protectors should be able to handle high levels of energy to protect the entire home. Look for devices with an energy absorption rating of at least 20,000 to 50,000 amps, ensuring they can handle even large external surges like those from lightning strikes.
7. Additional Features
Some surge protectors come with extra features that can enhance their functionality or make them more convenient. These include:
- Resettable Circuit Breakers: A handy feature that automatically shuts off power when the surge protector has absorbed too much energy and can be reset without needing to replace the unit.
- EMI/RFI Noise Filtering: Some surge protectors also include noise filtering, which reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). This is particularly useful if you have sensitive electronics, such as audio/video equipment, which can be affected by electrical noise.
- Warranty: Many high-quality surge protectors come with warranties, offering peace of mind. Some even include equipment protection policies, where the manufacturer will reimburse you for damaged devices if the surge protector fails. Look for surge protectors with warranties of five years or more for added confidence.
8. Budget and Long-Term Investment
While whole-house surge protectors typically come with higher initial costs, they are a long-term investment in your home’s electrical safety. The cost of installation is outweighed by the protection offered against costly repairs or replacements of appliances and electronics. Plug-in protectors are less expensive upfront but don’t provide the comprehensive protection that whole-house systems offer.
Allbritten Can Help You Install Or Replace Home Surge Protectors
When it comes to protecting your home from power surges, professional installation is key. At Allbritten, we specialize in installing whole-home surge protection systems that offer top-tier defense against electrical surges, whether they’re caused by lightning strikes, faulty wiring, or high-powered appliances. Our experienced electricians will ensure your surge protector is properly installed at the main electrical panel, giving your home comprehensive protection from day one.
In addition to installation, we also offer surge protector maintenance and replacement services. Surge protectors, like any safety system, wear down over time as they absorb surges. Allbritten’s team is here to provide regular checkups, ensuring that your system is functioning properly and replacing it when necessary to keep your home safe.
Protect your home with peace of mind by contacting Allbritten today for surge protector installation or replacement services. We’re here to help you keep your appliances, electronics, and home safe from unexpected power surges.
