Whole-House Surge Protector
In the case of an electrical surge from a lightning strike, problems with the power grid, or a downed power line, your home may not be prepared to meet the demand! The results could be damage to your appliances, stress on your electrical system, and even fire. Indeed, every year, homeowners lose thousands of dollars on lost televisions, laptops, chargers, and other electronics and appliances because of sudden voltage surges.
Luckily, a whole-house surge protector can be the solution against this serious risk. Here at Chanay Electric, we install these systems in homes all over the Fort Lauderdale area so that our clients can always keep the lights on!
What does a whole-house surge protector do?
A whole-home surge protector is a device that monitors and controls the voltage that passes through your power breaker panel. If this device, which is mounted on or near the breaker panel, detects that there is an excess of power flowing through the system, it will divert the current away from the main electrical panel.
Are surge protectors necessary in Fort Lauderdale?
In our part of the country, whole-house surge protectors are always recommended, for two main reasons:
- Our area receives strong electrical storms. Here in South Florida, we know how to weather a storm! In fact, we’re in the top five states in the country when it comes to thunder and lightning storms, with an average of 1.2 million lightning flashes per year. What this means is that our electrical grid is especially vulnerable to power surges that can cause damage to individual homes.
- We rely on appliances to stay comfortable and safe. Also because of our unique climate, residents here in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas rely on our HVAC systems to stay safe and comfortable throughout the year. Having an air conditioning unit decommissioned because of a power surge is a potentially dangerous situation.
For these reasons, all constructions here in South Florida are recommended to have whole-house power surge protectors installed. This is especially true if you have already been dealing with some electrical issues, such as flickering lights, overheated outlets, and appliance failure. This is a sign that your electrical panel is highly vulnerable to damage from a sudden surge.
How are whole-house surge protectors installed?
Installing one of these devices is not considered a DIY project. In fact, you’ll want a licensed, bonded, and insured electrician to install a whole-house surge protector. That way, you can lower the risk of electrical issues and personal injury during installation and have the guarantee that the surge protector system will work when put to the test.
Here’s how we at Chanay Electric go about installing one of these devices:
- First we disconnect the power to the panel and check the voltage.
- Next we find the most strategic placement of the surge protector next to or inside the panel box to have the best chance at interrupting a surge.
- Once the protector is mounted, we can go about wiring the device to the corresponding breaker and neutral bus.
- Next, we’ll run a few tests to ensure that the whole-house surge protector is working.
- Finally, we’ll walk you through key things you should know about the device, such as how to identify that it is working properly.
All in all, the installation process shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.
whole-house surge protector maintenance and repairs
As is the case with any electrical device, a whole-house surge protector won’t last forever and may require repair or replacement.
You can tell that one of these devices needs attention if the indicator light has turned off or turned red. One of the benefits of installing a whole-house surge protector on the outside of the breaker box is that you will be able to quickly determine whether it’s working properly. A quick glance at that indicator light will tell you if you need to call an electrician.
Another good time to call in an electrician to take a look at your whole-home surge protector is if you’re planning any kind of home renovation, change to your electrical system, or large appliance installation. In this case, we can make sure that your protector is capable of meeting the new demands.
Call Chanay Electric for a whole-house surge protector installation!
A power surge can happen unexpectedly, resulting in irreparable damage to your laptops, televisions, and kitchen appliances and increasing your risk of a house fire. So, if your home doesn’t already have a surge protector installed, don’t wait until it’s too late! We can help you find the right whole-house surge protector for your electrical panel and oversee installation and testing.
Chanay Electric offers our services to family homes and businesses all over the Fort Lauderdale area as well as surrounding communities including Margate, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Hollywood Beach, Miami and more.
