Whole-home surge protection, installed where it actually protects the house.
A plug-in surge strip protects whatever is plugged into it. A surge protector at the panel protects the air conditioner, the refrigerator, the range and everything else wired into the house.
What a whole-home surge protector does
A surge is a short spike in voltage. Lightning nearby is the dramatic cause, but switching on the utility side and large motors cycling inside the house cause them too. Modern appliances and HVAC systems are full of electronics, and repeated surges shorten their lives even when nothing fails on the day.
A whole-home surge protective device is installed at the main panel and clamps those spikes before they reach your circuits. It works alongside plug-in strips, not instead of them: the panel device handles the big surges coming in, and point-of-use strips handle the smaller ones near sensitive electronics.
Newer editions of the National Electrical Code require surge protection when a home's electrical service is installed or replaced, so if you are planning a panel upgrade, it belongs in the same job. If your panel is staying, a surge protector can usually be added to it on its own.
- Whole-home surge protector installed at the panel
- Added during panel upgrades and generator installs
- Advice on point-of-use protection for electronics
- Licensed, permitted work where required
Licensed, bonded and insured. TX Electrical Contractor License #34414.
Surge Protection: common questions
Is a surge protector worth it in the Houston area?
Storm season here brings frequent lightning, and a surge protector is inexpensive compared with an air conditioner control board or a refrigerator. For most homes it is one of the cheapest forms of protection you can buy.
Will it protect against a direct lightning strike?
No device guarantees that. A surge protector greatly reduces the damage from surges coming in on the utility lines, which is the far more common problem.
Can you add one to my existing panel?
Usually yes, if the panel has space and is in sound condition. If the panel itself is due for replacement, we will tell you and do both together.
Does a generator need surge protection too?
It is a good idea. We often install a surge protector at the same time as a standby generator and transfer switch.
Adding a generator or upgrading your panel?
Surge protection belongs in the same visit. Ask about it when you request your quote.