5 Benefits of a Whole House Surge Protector

Benefits Whole House Surge Protector

Power surges can cause incredible damage and put your home and family in serious danger. Most people associate them with lightning. While storm-generated surges are common, as many as 80% of surge events originate from inside a structure, according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. A whole house surge protector can keep you safe no matter where a surge comes from; here are five benefits of installing such a system:

 

Benefits of Whole House Surge Protection

Benefits of Whole House Surge Protector

1. Protect Your High-Tech Gadgets

The average home has more appliances and devices than ever. Without a whole house surge protector, these often expensive pieces of equipment are vulnerable to power surges. Most appliances now have sensitive circuit boards and other components, as do LED light bulbs. Smart phones and tablets are vulnerable to power surges as well. One power surge can damage a circuit board beyond repair, disabling appliances and wiping vast amounts of data contained on personal devices.

2. Transient Surges Protection

Short transient surges most often come from inside your home. A high-power air conditioner motor can generate a small surge. Such spikes usually don’t cause serious damage in one event, but the impacts add up over time, decreasing performance and shortening the lifespan of large appliances and electronic devices, including microwave ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines. Large appliances that turn on and off frequent are often the source of internal surges.

3. Prevent Damage to Appliances and Devices

The same appliances that generate surges can be damaged by them. If your fridge fails due to a power surge, you won’t be able to keep food cold. A surge that causes an air conditioner or heater breakdown can cause your home to become uncomfortable chilly in winter and dangerously hot in summer. The damage can be quite costly as well, as many home appliances cost several thousand dollars. Not to mention the electronic devices you use every day; a whole house surge protector can avoid damage that could require replacing them as well.

4. Electrical Fire Prevention

Surges in your home wiring can cause overheating, sparks, electrical arcing, and fires. With protection against surges of at least 40,000 amps, high external voltages can’t reach internal circuits and damage from internal surges can be prevented. Wiring problems, faulty outlets, and aging appliances are among the most common causes of house fires, so it’s important to address these issues to maximize your safety. However, if there is a hidden problem, surge protection can reduce the risks when abnormally high voltages affect your electrical system.

5. Suit Your Home’s Power Needs

Whole house surge protectors are available in many forms. You can use an 80 kA-rated surge protector for 120 V systems. These are typical for U.S. homes. For the most part, homes rarely see surges higher than 10 kA, and anything over 50 kA is highly unusual. You should consider higher-rated systems if you live in an area where electrical storms are common.

A surge suppression system should include internal fuses and failure indicators. There are panel-mounted whole house systems and separate units for phone, power, and cable lines. Professional electricians can help determine the best type of system for your home.

Contact Service Today

Our team is committed to protecting homes throughout the Twin Cities area from potentially dangerous power surges. We can install a whole house surge protector, so your safety and large appliances and electronics aren’t affected by transient voltage spikes. You can save a great deal of money on repairs and reduce the risk of electrical failures. Call (888) 205-9590 or book an appointment with Service Today for help finding the right solution.