For damage from direct lightning strikes, you will need professional installation of whole-home surge protection. Though MOVs in common surge strips can be destroyed after a powerful surge, the ones used in whole-house systems are made to shunt large surges and last for years.
How long do whole house surge protectors last?
You can expect a whole house surge protector to last between 2 and 5 years. Because a surge protector's functional lifespan is measured by the cumulative total of the number and size of the surges it absorbs, not years, any lifespan estimate is going to be a wide range.15 Apr 2020
How often should a whole house surge protector be replaced?
every two years
Is surge shield worth the money?
Surge protection protects your appliances and devices from voltage spikes. Given the amount of power that appliances and devices now have, surge protection is more important than ever. If you have too much voltage running through an outlet, it can cause electrical issues or even a fire.2 Mar 2020
How do I choose a whole house surge protector?
Whole-house systems should be rated to stop a 40,000-amp surge, at minimum. Features to look for include thermal fuses, and lights or alarms that indicate when a device has taken a hit. Protection for an average house with 200-amp service will run about $500—including a couple of hours of an electrician's labor.
What strength surge protector do I need?
Energy absorption/dissipation: This rating, given in joules, tells you how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. A higher number indicates greater protection. Look for a protector that is at least rated at 200 to 400 joules. For better protection, look for a rating of 600 joules or more.19 Jan 2022
Is it worth getting a whole house surge protector?
In addition to qualifying you for potential discounts from your insurance company, a whole house surge protector can save you the replacement costs of your many sensitive and expensive electrical devices, from your home entertainment system, to kitchen appliances, home office equipment and mobile technology, paying for
Is 1000 joules surge protector enough?
A unit with up to 1000 joules of surge protection is adequate for these small electronics. Units with surge protector ratings of 1000 to 2000 joules will provide sufficient protection for power tools and office equipment such as printers, copiers and routers.8 Jun 2020
What size breaker do I need for surge protector?
Essentially, the circuit breaker must be sized to the protector's wire size and the electrical panel's ratings. For example, a surge protector with 10 AWG wires should be used with a breaker rated at 30A. The circuit breaker's ratings (interrupt rating, voltage rating) must also be suitable for the panel.1 Oct 2009
How do you wire a whole house surge protector?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGpOwUAJ16c
Do you need an electrician to install a whole house surge protector?
Many manufacturers recommend hiring a professional electrician to install your whole house surge protector. This is for good reason as accessing the main power panel box for your house can be very dangerous.5 Dec 2018
Is it worth installing a whole house surge protector?
Do Whole House Surge Protectors Really Work? Yes! A whole-house suppressor instantly blocks the surge from entering home circuits to provide comprehensive lightning protection. Individual plug-in suppressors can't protect electronics that aren't plugged in, but are hard-wired instead.
When should a whole house surge protector be replaced?
Surge protectors that regularly absorb power surges wear out faster than those in homes with fewer surges. Many devices have warranties of five years or more, but electricians generally recommend replacing surge protectors every two years.20 Oct 2021
Do whole house surge protectors wear out?
Yes, a surge protector isn't designed to last forever and will eventually wear out. The bad news is that it's almost impossible to tell when a surge protector wears out. Which means, you might think your appliances are protected against dangerous power surges when they really aren't.13 Sept 2017