Q: Gone are the days of the power strip protection, what do I need now?
Power surges are a fairly common occurrence, they can originate from lightening strikes, arc faults or minor short circuits within the home or just surges/irregularities from the power supply itself. (This is a common reason for a surge.)
Why is surge protection more important in the “modern” world?
Twenty years ago, our worlds had just a few complex “electronic” devices. Power surges still happened just as frequently but the consequences were not as evident. A blown light bulb does not have the same impact as a suddenly useless smart phone.
Today we have all kinds of “small computers” and sensitive electronics in every room of our homes; kitchen appliances, led lighting fixtures, phones, televisions, actual computers and all the other gadgets of modern life. These sensitive electronics can be easily damaged or completely ruined by a common or even relatively small surge in voltage. Now instead of a few dollars for a new light bulb, you are looking at $600 for a new phone, $1000 for a new TV, $800 to replace the dishwasher, etc. No fun.
I’ve got my electronics on a “power strip” – Why isn’t that enough?
Many of us have surge protected power strips that are great for turning on/off a group of devices but they only protect against smaller surges. Most household level surge are rated as low as 200 joules and up to 3000 joules so can protect from a small surge or “short circuit” but may not stand a chance against a larger surge or lightening strike (A billion joules on average). Additionally they have a limited lifespan and should be replaced every few years, be sure to keep an eye on the indicator light to see if your surge power strip is still providing protection. These devices work well for in an office or media stand but it may not be realistic to use them at every outlet or for smart appliances that are “everywhere” now.
Home Surge Protection:
Whole Home Surge Protectors work by regulating the voltage coming through your main electrical line to your meter or main electrical panel. Voltage spikes and surges are blocked from reaching your appliances by pushing (shorting) the excess voltage to your grounding system. The whole home surge protector acts like a pressure release valve, if excess voltage is sensed on the line, the surge protector stops it and sends it to ground, protecting your home wiring and appliances/devices inside the home.
Costs & Considerations:
Home surge protection is not expensive when you consider the cost of replacing a single major appliance, smart phone or other damaged device. Depending on your needs, home surge protection costs range from about $350-$650. You will need to have a minimum of two empty breaker slots available and space beside the breaker box for the unit itself. The other common addition we see is the need to add a second ground rod to meet current building codes. (If your home was built before 2008, it s common to have only a single ground rod.)
As far as the units themselves, we like Eaton or Intermatic as brands. Homeowners should do some research on available features as well as the warranty and coverage offered by the company should a unit fail before making your choice.
Ask the Electrician is a column we publish with our advertising partner WCHL/Chapelboro. In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office.