Short answer
A whole-home surge protector is a device installed at your electrical panel that limits voltage spikes before they reach the building's circuits. It protects the things a power strip can't, like the furnace, well pump, appliances and hardwired equipment. Consider one if you're replacing a panel (recent editions of the National Electrical Code require it on new and replaced dwelling services), have had equipment damaged in a storm, or have expensive electronics. Select Electric installs surge protection for homes and businesses in Midland, Bay and Saginaw Counties.
A surge is a short spike in voltage. Big ones come from outside: lightning nearby, a tree taking down a line, the utility switching circuits after an outage. Smaller ones happen all day inside the building as motors, compressors and pumps turn on and off. Over time, both wear down the electronics in everything from a refrigerator to a furnace control board.
How Whole-Home Surge Protection Works
A surge protective device (SPD) sits between the incoming power and your circuits. When voltage spikes above a set level, the SPD diverts the extra energy to ground in a fraction of a second, then returns to normal. It needs a solid grounding and bonding system to work, so part of the install is checking that the grounding electrode, bonding and neutral connections are sound.
Layered Protection
- Type 1: installed on the line side of the main, at the meter or service disconnect.
- Type 2: installed in or next to the panel, on the load side of the main breaker. This is the most common whole-home install.
- Type 3: plug-in strips and receptacles at the equipment itself.
A panel SPD plus good plug-in protection at computers and entertainment equipment covers both outside and inside surges.
What Surge Protection Won't Do
An SPD protects against short voltage spikes. It does not protect against long-lasting problems like a lost neutral on the service (which can make some lights very bright and others dim), sustained overvoltage, or a direct lightning strike. It also only works as well as the grounding behind it. If lights across the house suddenly get brighter and dimmer, that is a separate and urgent problem; see half the house has no power and call your utility or us.
Who Should Consider It
- Anyone replacing a panel or upgrading a service, where recent editions of the National Electrical Code call for surge protection.
- Homes that have lost a furnace board, appliance, garage door opener or TV after a storm.
- Homes on a well pump, sump pump or other equipment you can't afford to lose.
- Businesses with computers, point-of-sale systems, controls or refrigeration.
- Buildings with a generator, since transfers between sources can create switching surges.
How the Job Goes
- Check the panel and grounding. We look at the panel, available spaces and the grounding and bonding.
- Choose the device. An SPD rated for your panel and service.
- Install. Usually a short job, mounted at the panel on its own breaker with short, direct leads (lead length affects how well it works).
- Confirm. We check the indicator and show you what to look for in the future.
What It Costs
This work is priced per job, because the building, the distances and what's already in the panel are different every time. Ask for a written quote that lists the materials and everything included. For what drives electrical prices in general, see what electrical work costs.
Local Detail: Storms and Outages in the Great Lakes Bay Region
Summer thunderstorms and winter ice and wind storms bring down lines across Midland, Bay and Saginaw Counties. The moments when power drops out and comes back on, sometimes several times in a row, are when surges happen. If your lights flicker badly during storms or equipment has failed afterward, see lights flickering or dimming. If you run a generator during outages, see power's out: generator questions.
To add surge protection, call (989) 835-3587.
Common Questions
What is a whole-home surge protector?
It is a surge protective device (SPD) mounted at or in your electrical panel, or at the meter. It limits voltage spikes that come in on the service before they reach the circuits in the house. Recent editions of the National Electrical Code require surge protection when a dwelling service is installed or replaced, and it can be added to an existing panel.
What is the difference between a Type 1 and a Type 2 surge protector?
A Type 1 SPD is rated to be installed on the line side of the main breaker, such as at the meter or service disconnect. A Type 2 SPD is installed on the load side, usually in the panel on its own breaker. Most whole-home installs are Type 2 in the panel. Plug-in strips at your electronics are Type 3 and work as a second layer.
Do I still need surge protector power strips?
They are still worth using for computers, TVs and other sensitive electronics. A panel-mounted SPD handles large surges coming in from outside, and a good plug-in strip at the device handles what's left, plus surges that start inside the house when motors and compressors cycle.
Will a surge protector save my house from a direct lightning strike?
No surge protector can promise that. A direct strike carries far more energy than any SPD is built for. Surge protection is aimed at the much more common events: nearby strikes, utility switching and storm damage to lines, and surges from equipment inside the building.
How do I know if my surge protector still works?
Most panel-mounted SPDs have indicator lights that show whether the protection is still active. An SPD wears as it absorbs surges and may need replacing after a large event. If yours shows a fault, or you're not sure what you have, call (989) 835-3587.