Surge Protection for Your Home

When we wire your new home, we prioritize your electrical safety by installing a Surgebreaker Surge Protective Device (SPD)* in your electrical service panel. This device provides an essential first line of defense against power surges, helping to protect your home’s electrical system and devices.

 

Required Protection Under the National Electrical Code

The installation of a surge protective device (SPD) is required under the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) for new or substantially renovated homes. This requirement ensures that all residences have a basic level of protection against potentially damaging electrical surges, safeguarding your investment and enhancing home safety.

 

How Lightning and Surges Can Enter Your Home

Power surges and lightning can affect your home’s electrical system through multiple pathways, including:

  • Utility Lines: Surges often originate from external sources, such as lightning strikes or issues with utility lines. The surge protector in the service panel helps guard against these surges before they reach your outlets and appliances.
  • Cable and Telephone Lines: Connected systems like cable TV, internet, and telephone lines can also carry surges. Protecting these systems with additional surge devices is recommended.
  • Other Sources: Surges generated within your home by large appliances cycling on and off can also affect sensitive electronics. There are many points that a surge can enter your home such as gutters, brick and even tree roots.

 

What Does the Surge Protector Do?

The Surge Protector is designed to:

  • Absorb and safely disperse excess voltage caused by power surges, redirecting it to the ground wire.
  • Protect your home’s electrical network and reduce the risk of damage to appliances and connected devices.

 

What It Doesn’t Do

While our surge protector provides significant protection, it does not guarantee immunity from all surges or lightning strikes. For enhanced protection:

  • Use point-of-use surge protectors for sensitive devices such as computers and entertainment systems.
  • Consider additional protection for cable, internet, and telephone lines.

 

How to Maintain Your Surge Protector

  • Check the Indicator Light: The SPD has a built-in indicator light that shows whether it is operational. Inspect this light monthly and after any nearby lightning events. If the light is off, the surge protector may need replacement.
  • Be Aware of Limitations: The device primarily protects against surges from utility lines but does not address surges from within the home or other external entry points.

 

Why We Install Surge Protection

In compliance with the 2020 NEC, our installation of the surge protective device (SPD) ensures your home meets current safety standards. While surge protection significantly reduces the risk of damage, it is not foolproof. We recommend additional steps, such as point-of-use surge devices, for comprehensive protection.

By installing this surge protector, we provide your home with an essential safety feature required by code and a vital layer of defense for your electrical system.

 

*As of 12/09/2024, Hual Electric Inc. is using the Square D QO2175SB Surgebreaker Surge Protective Device (SPD) and various Ditek products. This may change due to supply and panel type.

 

Schneider Electric Square D Protective Device Promo video.