Modern 21st-century home life is quite different from the typical household of 50 years ago. Now, we’re all practically swimming in a sea of electronic devices.
Your kitchen? It’s jam-packed with all sorts of gadgets that plug in. Wander into any room, and you’ll spot desktop PCs, entertainment devices, and more.
Not forgetting, you also need your all-important HVAC appliances as well, for both the summer and winter seasons.
But here’s the thing—all these devices are at risk. Ever heard of a power surge? It’s not your friend. A nasty surge could fry your gadgets in a blink. Imagine saying goodbye to your electronics in one go—that means shelling out cash for new ones.
Now, power strips might seem handy. They give you extra outlets and promise some surge protection. Great for minor spikes, but what about the big ones?
Think of major power surges from downed power lines or lightning strikes. Even a sudden power hike at a nearby factory could send a surge your way.
Enter the hero—whole house surge protectors. These nifty devices are not just any ordinary protectors. They’re hard-wired right into your service panel.
They work by letting electricity flow normally… until they sense trouble. When voltage spikes, they kick into action fast, redirecting excess energy to the ground wire in less than a nanosecond. That’s lightning-fast—literally!
Choosing the right one is key, and installing it correctly? Even more crucial. You might want to hire a professional for this gig. It’s a surefire way to keep your tech safe and sound. This may be the best choice for most households.
After all, isn’t peace of mind what we all want in our digital paradise?
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Whole House Surge Protector Installation
But if you insist on doing it yourself, you should follow these steps:
1. Prepare The Necessary Tools
These include the following:
- Cordless drill or driver
- Electrical tape
- Flashlight
- Flathead screwdriver and screws
- Hammer and nails
- Pliers
- Voltage detector
- Wire strippers
2. Flip the Main Switch
This turns the breakers off and cuts power to your home.
Don’t open the panel before doing this first. Use the voltage detector to confirm that the power flow has stopped. Once you’ve flipped the main switch, you can unscrew and remove the whole panel door.
In case there are energized wires even with the breaker switched off, take precaution and only work with the part where you need to connect your surge arrestor.
3. Mount the Surge Protector
You should read the surge protector’s manual on how to mount the device outside the panel.
Look closely once you’ve removed the front panel, and you should see one of the small knockout areas shaped like a circle. This is on the side of the panel that meets the wall. Knock out on one hole gently, making an opening for the surge protector wires.
Use this opening to feed the wires through, and guide them through until you’re ready to connect. Use the screws, drill, and screwdriver to secure the surge protector into the wall.
4. The Wires
Be sure you know what the various wires of the surge protector are all about, depending on the colors of the wires.
Now you can strip the insulation off the tail ends of the cables. Set the end of the wire into that part of the stripper that reads 14 AWG.
- Green wire—ground / Earth. Connect to the ground bus bar on the right
- White wire—neutral. Connect to the neutral bus bar on the right
- 2 black wires—complete the circuit. Connect both to a dipole circuit breaker. Mount close to the main power wires
5. Returning the Panel Cover
Replace the panel cover, before you flip back on the main breaker. Flip the dipole circuit breaker switch and check either the display or lights to confirm that it’s working.
FAQs
What’s the most dangerous type of power surge for your electronics?
Lightning-induced surges top the list as the most dangerous. Imagine lightning hitting a utility pole close to your house. This could unleash up to 200,000 amps and tens of thousands of volts straight through your wiring, bypassing your main breaker panel.
Such a powerful surge can easily fry all your electronics—so you might have to bid farewell to gadgets like your TVs, hard drives, and pricey kitchen gear.
Luckily, lightning needs to strike quite close to your home to cause such devastation. If it’s more than a mile away, it’s unlikely your electronics will be affected.
What else can cause a power surge?
While surges from lightning strikes are notably risky, they don’t happen too often. More commonly, power surges occur due to sudden changes in electricity use, like when a nearby factory ramps up its energy consumption or power lines get knocked down.
You might also experience a small power surge at home if you’re running multiple high-energy devices simultaneously. For instance, if you have several air conditioners on and then start up multiple water heaters and other power-hungry appliances, this can overload the system and cause a surge.
With the whole house surge protector, does that mean there’s no need for the plug-in surge protectors?
Actually, it’s best to use both types together. A whole house surge protector does a great job at mitigating surges but might let through up to 15% of excess voltage.
That’s where plug-in surge protectors come in handy, as they can handle that remaining surge and protect your individual devices effectively.
Can I Install a Whole House Surge Protector Myself
Yes, you can install a whole house surge protector yourself, but it requires a good understanding of your home’s electrical system and strict adherence to safety protocols. Here are a few things to consider:
- Electrical Knowledge: You should have a solid understanding of electrical systems. If you are not confident in your ability to work with electricity, it is better to hire a professional.
- Safety First: Always turn off the main power at the breaker panel to avoid any risk of electrocution. Use personal protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses.
- Installation Steps: The basic steps involve locating an appropriate place in your breaker panel for the surge protector, installing it into the panel, and making the necessary electrical connections, including grounding. Detailed instructions are usually provided with the surge protector.
- Local Codes and Regulations: Check your local building codes and regulations to ensure compliance. In many areas, electrical work must be inspected and approved.
Conclusion
Installing a whole house surge protector is a smart investment for your home. It drastically reduces the risk of a powerful electrical surge damaging crucial and expensive appliances, such as your refrigerator’s motherboard, the temperature controls of your high-end oven, big-screen TVs, and essential desktop computers.
Imagine the potential loss of up to $15,000 from damaged electronics. For just $650 to $1,000, a whole house surge protector is a cost-effective way to secure peace of mind, ensuring your electrical devices are safe from unexpected surges.
Given the risks and the technical nature of the installation, I suggest that unless you have prior experience or sufficient knowledge of electrical systems, it’s advisable to hire a licensed electrician. This ensures the installation is done safely and correctly, and it often complies with local electrical codes which might affect your insurance or warranty claims.