We will show you what Whole House Surge Protection can do to keep your home safe. Most people know about a lightning bolt causing a massive power surge. But while that is a huge source of damaging power surges, it is also just a small part of the many electrical surges that can be detrimental to your home.
There are two types of harmful electrical surges:
1. External Surges (Big Problems)
- Lightning: Orlando has the highest number of lightning strikes per year compared to any metro city in the United States. Indirect lightning strikes (a lightning strike down the street, or to a neighbor’s tree) can create a devastating power surge that goes straight into your electrical panel.
- Utility Grid Switching: Every time the utility company switches between power grids, restores power after an outage, or encounters a malfunction, they produce significant surges that go directly to your home through the lines.
- Tree limbs or accidents: Power surges occur when an object (tree branch) falls onto a power line or a vehicle collides with a power pole.
Internal Surges (Wear-and-Tear)
It is shocking to find out that up to 80% of all electrical surges start inside your home.
Each time a big appliance (central air conditioning unit (ACU), refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) turns its compressor/motor on and off, it produces a brief, fast-moving increase in voltage. These are minor, micro-power surges; however, they have a cumulative effect to degrade the sensitive electronic components in your smart devices, LED lighting, and appliances over time. A Whole House Surge Protection system shields against both the enormous external strike and the continuous internal degradation.
What a Whole House Surge Protection System Will Protect
A Whole House Surge Protection system is designed to protect every item connected to your home’s electrical system. It does so because it is installed at your main electrical panel (or in some homes near your electric meter) . The whole house system provides protection for both the major, hardwired systems that cannot be protected by standard power strips, as well as all other appliances and systems in your home.
Protectable Systems/Critical Items:
HVAC System & AC Unit: Most expensive appliance in your home in terms of cost, and also the hardest working in Orlando. The sensitive electronic control board in your ACU is susceptible to surges. Damage to the board will leave you facing extreme heat and a potentially thousands of dollar repair bill.
- Major Appliance Boards: Each of your refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers/dryers and many others have sophisticated computer boards that are prone to damage by voltage spikes.
- Smart Home Devices: Security system, garage door openers, smart thermostats, networking equipment and much more are vulnerable to surges.
- Entire Electrical System Infrastructure: A surge can damage your main electrical panel, circuit breakers and internal wiring in the walls of your home, creating a potential fire hazard.
How a Whole House Surge Protection System Works
A Whole House Surge Protection system functions by detecting a voltage spike immediately upon occurrence and routing the excessive voltage safely to the earth, thereby removing the threat before it can reach your valuables.
Installation of a Whole House Surge Protection System: Why You Need a Licensed Orlando Electrician
Only a portion of the process of installing a Whole House Surge Protection system is selecting the correct surge protector. The performance of the surge protector depends on professional Surge Protector Installation. The surge protector is connected directly to your electrical main panel. Therefore, installation requires working directly with the high-voltage lines that provide electricity to your entire home.
- Correct Size/Surge Protector Rating
Prior to installation, a licensed electrician will evaluate your home’s unique electrical service size and power needs. Surge protectors are rated by their Suppressible Amperage (kiloamperage, or kA). Due to the high frequency of lightning in the Orlando area, we usually install a surge protector that provides a higher kA rating than is required in lower lightning areas. - Grounding is Essential
Grounding is key to the functioning of a Whole House Surge Protection system, as the entire mechanism of the surge protector is to divert excess voltage to the ground. Without good grounding, the surge protector simply cannot function effectively and leave your home unprotected. Perfect, code compliant grounding is provided during our professional Surge Protector Installation. - Code Compliance and Manufacturer Warranty
Your professionally installed Whole House Surge Protection system is guaranteed to meet all current National Electrical Code (NEC) and local Florida building codes. Many high quality Surge Protector manufacturers will void their products and warranty for the connected equipment if the system is not installed by a qualified, licensed electrician. This is invaluable peace of mind.
Layered Protection: The Best Method to Safeguard Against All Types of Surges
While a Whole House Surge Protection system is the foundation of a safe electrical system, we always recommend a layered method for protecting extremely sensitive equipment, such as high-end home theater systems, gaming PCs and medical equipment.
This Layered Protection Plan consists of:
- Level 1: Whole House Surge Protection (Foundation) – Installed at your electrical main panel, this device will protect your home from large external surges and internal surges that may affect the electrical systems of your home.
- Level 2: Outlet Surge Protectors (Fine Tuning) – High-quality, UL listed plug in surge protectors are placed at each outlet of your sensitive electronics. They will catch any remaining voltage that may have escaped the main protector, as well as small internal surges caused by the electronics themselves.
Together, this Layered Protection Plan is the most effective method to protect your home from both a close-by lightning strike and the constant wear-and-tear of internal voltage spikes.
Take Action Now to Improve Orlando Electrical Safety
Don’t wait until the next storm hits and you have to spend thousands of dollars repairing or replacing a blown TV, AC board or smart hub. The investment in a Whole House Surge Protection system costs significantly less than repairing/ replacing a single appliance — let alone your entire home entertainment system.
Investing in a high-quality Whole House Surge Protection Installation is the most intelligent decision you can make regarding electrical safety and peace of mind for homeowners and businesses in Orlando.
Are you ready to protect your home and property from the unpredictable Florida weather? Call the local professionals at Vetcon Electricians today to set up a consultation to learn more about how a professional Surge Protector Installation can keep your home and family safe.
