Whole House Surge Protector: Surge Protection Device

A surge protector is a device, which guards the electronic devices at home against high voltage electrical surges. They regulate the power supply to the electronic devices. There are a number of surge protection devices available like the power strips, whole house surge protector, etc. The small surges, that happen throughout the day, do not pose any threat to the appliances. But, over a period of time, the life of the appliances can reduce up to 30%.

The modern day homes are full of electronic equipments. These equipments have to be protected from surges, which occur a number of times throughout the day. In case of a high voltage surge, it has the capacity to burn down an electronic equipment. The equipments also have danger from lightning striking in close proximity to the homes, as lightning damages the electronic equipments. All the electronic devices behave like magnets, therefore in case of lightning, there is a possibility of the equipments getting burnt. The surging can also lead to fire in the house. When lightning strikes at a place, the electric charge travels through pipe lines till it finds a place to ground itself like electronic appliances, leading to blowing up of the unit.

The power strip surge protectors provide the minimum level of surge protection. They shield against the routine surges, but they do not guard against major ones. Over a period of time, they prove to the less efficient than in the initial days.

Very often, the computer and its peripherals are plugged into power strip surge protectors. But the other household appliances like fridge, microwave, washer and dryer, home theater, etc. are not protected at all. Is it a good option to have all these equipments plugged into individual power strip surge protectors? How many power strip surge protection devices will have to be installed? Are the power strip surge protectors equipped, to actually take care of high voltages spikes as well? Surges also happen due to two electronic devices starting simultaneously in the same house or in the neighboring houses. The better option to this is, to have whole house surge protectors installed. At the same time, make sure the house is sufficiently grounded. While choosing the surge protection device, care should be taken that the device protects not only the power lines, but also the cable and telephone lines.

The whole house surge protectors are to be installed on the electric panel. But lets not forget that the home surge protection devices are not lightning arrestors, although lightning arrestors are also available separately in the market. The whole house surge protectors cost approximately from $200 to $1500 and the installation cost is charged extra. This can be seem to be as an upfront expense, but it is definitely a cheap insurance for the appliances at home. Do not forget that the whole house surge protectors should be installed by a qualified electrician only.

Insurance companies give discount in home insurance, if the house has whole house surge protectors installed. But certain home insurance policies do not cover for spikes. The surge protectors can be included in the mortgage as well. Most of the builders can have the house surge protectors installed at the time of the construction itself. The surge protectors, then can become an USP for them. It's said 'Prevention is better than cure'. Hence, instead of paying for new equipments, which will cost a lot, its better to have the whole house surge protectors installed.