There are two types of home surge protection:
What Is Primary Surge Protection?
Primary surge protection devices are the first line of defense against power surges. They are installed at your electrical service panel and building entrance to protect you from nearby lightning strikes and general power surges from your utility company. These devices are hardwired to provide a higher surge rating than secondary surge protection devices and can be installed anywhere on the load side of the electrical system or service entrance with no fuse or breaker required.
Primary Surge Protection Devices
We use Eaton and Sycom surge protectors for our primary surge protection installation services in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham and the surrounding areas to take the larger surge voltages down to 130 volts.
What Is Secondary Surge Protection?
Have you ever noticed that when your air conditioner comes on, or you start up your vacuum cleaner, the lights will blink or dim for just a second? That is a secondary surge that is created by the sudden large electrical demand in your electrical system.
This sudden additional load, or power surge, is not protected by the primary surge protector at your electrical panel, because it is inside the house. The secondary surge protector will protect buildings, people and electronic devices from power surges that occur past the primary surge protection. Like primary surge protectors, they are also a permanent hardwired device connected on the load side of the primary overcurrent disconnect, and they do not always need a dedicated breaker or fuse.
Secondary Surge Protection Devices
We use Leviton surge receptacles for our secondary surge protection installation to protect from the secondary surges, giving you complete surge protection throughout your home.
Benefits of Whole House Surge Protection
If you have a direct lightning strike hit your home, there is nothing man-made that can protect you. But surge protectors will protect you from 99% of all other surges inside and outside of your home.
Whole house surge protection devices connect to your home's electrical service box and provide top protection for your home. They are designed to divert large power surges without damaging their components, and they can last for years.
A power surge can enter your home through devices like the HVAC system, cable and generator. Using metal oxide varistors, the surge protection system will short the surge to the ground or block its flow.
These systems are beneficial to have because:
- It will protect your technology devices: Homes have many laptops, tablets, smartphones and other gadgets that contain valuable information. These devices, along with appliances and even lightbulbs, can be damaged from a power surge. Surge protection ensures these devices won't be affected and will continue to function as normal.
- It will protect against internal power surges: Many power surges are short and originate from a home appliance. One surge is not damaging, but many over time can cause wear and tear on your electronics. A whole-house surge protection system mitigates this damage to avoid long-term consequences.
- It safeguards your entire electrical system: When the surge protection system detects a surge, it sends it back through the breaker panel and shunts the power. This system protects your appliances and electronics as well as every outlet.
- You can use layering for additional protection: If you use shared circuits, an appliance on that circuit can compromise everything on that circuit if it sends out a surge. Layering your surge protection system means there is a direct connection between the electrical panel and the point of use for extra protection.
Adding this protection system to your home requires contracting professional experts from an electrical company since the work may be hazardous if you don't have experience. For your whole house surge protector installation needs, contact Wiretech Company.
Schedule Your Surge Protection Device Installation
Wiretech Company has been the trusted electrical contractor for Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle area since 1990. As a locally owned and operated business, we are committed to serving our community with primary and secondary surge protection installations and repairs. Whatever your electrical needs, we're the experts to call.
Schedule your home surge protection installation in Raleigh today by calling 919-847-1617 or completing our contact form.
