When it comes to protecting your electrical appliances from power surges, then nothing works better than a whole house surge protector. However, many people falsely believe that installing a power strip with basic abilities will be enough to protect their expensive devices.
But as far as your electrical devices are concerned, the latter will not be enough. In this article, we will talk about the five important things you must keep in mind about the whole house surge protector to help keep your electronics safe.
1. Learn About What Causes Power Surges
It is common to think that lightning is the main culprit when it comes to power surges. Nevertheless, not many people know that it can be caused due to several other sources. For instance, your regular utility service provider operations, such as downed utility lines, may cause surges.
Simultaneously, your devices, such as furnaces, computers, and air conditioners, can too cause voltage spikes due to cyclic off and on. Understanding these causes will help you choose the right whole house surge protector for your home.
2. Whole House Surge Protector Is A Worthy Investment
When you install a whole house surge protector where the power supply enters your home, it acts as your first defense line. This helps protect you against unexpected surges when the power is restored after an outage. It is also helpful in safeguarding your electronics against other types of spikes.
3. Choosing The Right Device
Surge protectors are divided into three basic categories:
- Type 1: these surge protectors are mainly used in industrial complexes that help discharge partial lighting current.
- Type 2: This type of whole house surge protector helps protect low-voltage devices and prevent the spread of voltage surge in electrical installations. If you are looking to protect your home against power surges, then this is the one you should choose.
- Type 3: these are only meant to be used as supplements to Type 1 and Type 2. However, these can be installed inside a home aligned to the devices it is intended to protect.
It is absolutely necessary to check and verify the specific voltage requirements before choosing a surge protector. This will ensure that the device meets the highest performance standards in terms of safety and reliability.
4. Filters Alone Are Not Enough
By itself, filters do not offer sufficient surge protection as they are designed to operate within a certain frequency range. Surges that are caused due to lightning can be too much for them to deflect. However, they do work well when supplemented with a well-matched whole house surge protector.
5. Placement Is The Key
When installing the surge protection device, it must be placed close to the device you are trying to protect. It is critical to use the least amount of cabling to ensure that the path is not circuited but straight. You must also ensure that the grounding connection is reliable.
The electrical transients can creep into your home through phone lines and cable systems as well. Therefore, surge protection devices must be installed if you want to guarantee maximum protection for your expensive electronic gear. After all, your investment in your electrical appliances and electronics is costly and more important than you realize.
While it is acceptable to install the type 3 surge protector yourself, a whole house surge protector must only be installed by an experienced electrician. This helps ensure that your devices have the maximum protection. Besides, you will also be able to prevent damage to your expensive electronic items and save money in the long run.
