How does a surge protector actually stop a power surge?
A surge protector uses components that sit idle at normal voltage and then conduct when voltage jumps. That sends the extra energy to ground instead of through your devices. The protector absorbs the spike once, and repeated hits slowly use up the parts inside until little protection remains.
A power strip without surge protection only adds outlets. Look for a listed rating on the packaging and a status light, since the light tells you whether the protective parts are still working.
Protection also depends on a properly grounded outlet. A protector plugged into an ungrounded or loose outlet has nowhere to send the energy.
A protector's rating is expressed in joules, and a higher number generally means it can absorb more energy before wearing out. Look for a listed product with a clear clamping rating. Avoid unmarked strips from unknown sellers, since some have no real protection inside at all.
Do surge protectors wear out?
Yes, surge protectors wear out. Every spike they absorb degrades the internal parts, so a unit that has taken several hits may keep powering your devices while offering no protection. Most units with an indicator light show when protection is gone, and that is your cue to replace the strip.
In the West Valley, monsoon storms bring lightning, utility switching and brief outages. Those events can add up quickly, so a protector near the end of its life may fail when you need it most.
If a protector feels hot, smells like plastic or looks discolored, unplug it and replace it. Do not keep using it.
Plug in protectors also differ in what they cover. Some include phone, cable or network lines, because spikes can arrive through those paths as well. If you have a home office, protecting the modem and router along with the computer is worth doing. Take photos before you start.
What is the difference between a plug in surge protector and whole house surge protection?
A plug in surge protector guards only the devices plugged into it, while whole house surge protection installs at your electrical panel and protects every circuit in the home. Using both is a common layered approach, with the panel unit taking the large surges and plug in units catching what is left.
Appliances without plugs in strips, such as the AC system, a well pump, a refrigerator or an oven, benefit from panel level protection. Those items are costly to replace and often hardwired.
Installing a whole house unit means working inside or beside the panel. That is licensed electrician work and not a DIY job.
Think about what you would be upset to lose. Air conditioners, pool equipment, garage door openers and refrigerators have circuit boards that are costly to replace and are not plugged into a strip. That is the case for protection at the panel. Label each wire with tape before you disconnect anything.
What devices should I put on a surge protector?
Put computers, televisions, game consoles, home office gear, modems, routers and anything with sensitive circuit boards on a surge protector. Skip large heating appliances such as space heaters, which can overload a strip. Never plug a surge protector into another power strip or extension cord.
Daisy chaining strips is a common cause of overheating. A single strip rated for the load, plugged straight into a wall outlet, is the safer layout.
If you keep tripping a breaker or a strip feels warm, you probably have too many devices on one circuit, and an electrician can add outlets rather than stacking extension cords.
Monsoon storms make the West Valley an obvious place to think about this. Power can dip, jump and return within seconds when the grid switches or a transformer takes a hit. That return surge often does more harm than the outage. Note which switch positions turn the light on.
When should I call an electrician about surge protection?
Call a licensed electrician if you lose electronics or appliances after storms, if lights flicker often, or if you want protection for the whole home. A panel mounted surge protector installs in a short visit and covers every circuit, which a stack of power strips cannot do.
Vortech installs whole house surge protection for homes in Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise, and can look at your panel and grounding while on site.
Never open your own panel to add protection. Call us and we will handle it, including any permit that applies in your area.
It also helps to have the panel inspected at the same visit. A loose neutral or poor grounding can undermine protection, so we look at those basics while we are there. Most protection upgrades are a quick visit and do not require tearing into walls. Ask about bundling extra small jobs when you book.
More questions: Surge Protection: 12 Most Asked Questions Answered