What Causes Power Surges in a Home?

Many homeowners associate electrical surges only with lightning strikes, but most voltage fluctuations can come from other sources.

Common causes of electrical surges include:

Utility Grid Changes

Changes in electrical distribution equipment or utility switching can sometimes create voltage fluctuations entering the home.

Large Appliances Cycling On and Off

Equipment such as air conditioners, refrigerators and other high-demand appliances can create smaller electrical fluctuations when motors and compressors turn on or off.

Electrical System Problems

Loose wiring, damaged electrical components and other electrical problems can contribute to irregular voltage conditions.

Power Restoration After an Outage

When electricity is restored after a power outage, voltage fluctuations may occur as electrical systems and equipment come back online.

Lightning

A nearby lightning strike can create a significant electrical surge even when lightning does not directly strike the home.

A whole-house surge protector cannot guarantee that every piece of equipment will survive every electrical event, but it can provide an important layer of protection against many damaging surges.

Why Install Whole-House Surge Protection?

Replacing damaged electronics or appliances can quickly become expensive. A strong electrical surge can potentially damage several devices at the same time. Whole-house surge protection can help reduce the risk of damage to equipment connected throughout your electrical system.

Benefits may include:

• Protection for multiple electrical circuits
• Added protection for expensive appliances
• Protection for sensitive electronics
• Protection for HVAC equipment
• Reduced dependence on individual surge strips
• Protection against many internally generated electrical surges
• An additional layer of protection during utility voltage fluctuations
• Greater protection for modern smart-home technology

For homes containing thousands of dollars in electronics and appliances, installing a whole-home surge protection system can be a practical electrical upgrade.

Whole-House Surge Protectors vs. Power Strips

Plug-in surge strips can still be useful, but they provide localized protection.

A whole-house surge protector works differently because it is installed directly into the home's electrical system.

For additional protection, homeowners may use whole-house surge protection together with quality point-of-use surge protectors for especially sensitive electronics.

What Appliances Can Whole-House Surge Protection Help Protect?

Many newer appliances contain circuit boards, electronic displays and computerized controls.

That means electrical surges may affect far more than televisions and computers.

Whole-house surge protection can help protect equipment such as:

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Electric ranges
• Microwave ovens
• Dishwashers
• Washing machines
• Dryers
• HVAC systems
• Heat pumps
• Furnaces
• Water heaters with electronic controls
• Smart thermostats
• Garage door openers
• Home security equipment

Even relatively small voltage spikes occurring repeatedly over time may contribute to stress on sensitive electrical components.

Where Is a Whole-House Surge Protector Installed?



Most whole-house surge protection devices are installed at the home's main electrical service panel.

Depending on the electrical system and equipment being used, the surge protector may be installed:

• Inside the electrical panel
• Adjacent to the panel
• At the main electrical service equipment

Correct installation is important because the device must be properly connected to the electrical system and grounding system.

A licensed electrician can evaluate the electrical panel and determine the appropriate surge protection setup for the home.

Does My Electrical Panel Support Whole-House Surge Protection?

Many electrical panels can accommodate a whole-house surge protection device, but available breaker space and panel condition must be considered.

An electrician may evaluate:

• Electrical panel manufacturer
• Available breaker positions
• Panel condition
• Service capacity
• Grounding and bonding
• Existing electrical equipment
• Previous electrical modifications

If the panel is outdated, damaged or already overcrowded, additional electrical work may be recommended before installing the surge protection device.

Do I Still Need Surge Protector Power Strips?

Possibly.



Whole-house surge protection provides broad protection at the electrical service, while point-of-use surge protectors provide another layer of protection close to individual electronics.

For expensive electronics such as computers, entertainment systems and networking equipment, homeowners may choose to use both.

This layered approach can provide additional protection against different types of electrical surges.

Signs You Should Consider Whole-House Surge Protection



You may want to consider installing a whole-house surge protector if:

• Your home contains expensive electronics
• You recently installed new appliances
• You have a modern HVAC system
• Your home uses smart-home technology
• You experience frequent power interruptions
• You work from home and depend on computers or networking equipment
• Your electrical panel is being upgraded
• You are adding an EV charger
• You have previously experienced surge-related equipment damage

Installing surge protection during other electrical panel work can also be a convenient time to make the upgrade.

Professional Whole-House Surge Protector Installation in Greeley, CO

Whole-house surge protection involves working directly with the home's electrical panel.

Professional installation helps ensure the surge protection device is properly connected and compatible with the electrical system.

AC-DC Electric can inspect your electrical panel, determine the appropriate installation method and install a whole-house surge protector in Greeley, CO.



The electrical system may also be checked for conditions that could affect surge protection performance, including grounding, panel condition and available breaker space.

Why Choose AC-DC Electric?

Homeowners need electrical systems that are safe, dependable and capable of supporting today's technology.

AC-DC Electric provides professional residential electrical services for homeowners throughout Greeley, CO.



Our electrical services include:

• Whole-house surge protector installation
• Electrical panel upgrades
• Electrical panel replacement
• Electrical troubleshooting
• Circuit breaker repair
• Outlet and GFCI installation
• EV charger installation
• Whole-home rewiring
• Residential electrical repairs

Whether you are protecting newly installed appliances or upgrading your home's electrical system, AC-DC Electric can help determine the right solution for your property.

Whole-House Surge Protection FAQs