A modern home has dozens of circuit boards: in the refrigerator, the furnace, the washer, the garage door opener, the EV charger. All of them are vulnerable to voltage spikes.
Where surges come from
Lightning is the dramatic cause but not the common one. Most surges come from utility switching, from power snapping back after an outage, and from large motors cycling inside the house. Small repeated surges wear electronics out over time.
What a whole house device does
A surge protective device mounts at the electrical panel and diverts excess voltage to ground before it spreads through the branch circuits. It protects everything, including hardwired equipment that cannot be plugged into a strip.
Cost
The device and installation are modest compared with the cost of one appliance control board. Installation usually takes about an hour.
Is it required?
Current electrical code requires surge protection on dwelling services for new construction and when a service or panel is replaced. If you are getting a panel upgrade, it should be part of the job.
Do you still need power strips?
For computers and entertainment systems, yes. Good point-of-use protectors add a second layer for sensitive gear.
Who benefits most
- Homes with frequent outages or flickering power
- Homes with solar, batteries or EV chargers
- Home offices and smart homes
- Anyone who has lost appliances to a surge already
One caveat
Surge protection depends on good grounding. A proper installation includes checking the grounding electrode system and bonding.