Whole Home Surge Protection VS Power Strips: What’s The 
Difference
What Is Whole Home Surge Protection?
Whole home surge protection protects your entire home against power surges. The device is hardwired into your main electrical panel. If the voltage spikes, the device reroutes the electricity to the ground away from your home. This installation can protect your electronics, appliances, and HVAC from damage caused by excessive energy from lightning and electrical issues.
Whole home protection starts with the device installed at the main line. However, other surge protection devices are also connected to the electrical panel inside your home. This device manages the load side. Next, point-of-use protectors or power strips are plugged in throughout your home.
Each surge-protection point redirects power surges and prevents major property damage. We recommend surge protection for your whole home to prevent electrical damage, especially during hurricane season.
What Is the Real Difference Between These Devices?
Whole home surge protection is a comprehensive system that protects against power surges. It offers several protection points to stop electrical surges from damaging your home, appliances, and electronics. We install a device on your main electrical panel outside and on your interior breaker panel, and we offer surge protection strips for your outlets.
Power strips don’t require a professional installation. You can plug them into outlets throughout your home. These strips protect only the devices plugged into them. They do not protect any other electrical entry point in your home. The only way to protect all electrical connections is to install surge protection for your entire home.
Do Florida Electrical Codes Require Surge Protection For Your Home?
Yes, the Florida Building Code follows the National Electrical Code and requires whole-home surge protection for all new residential properties. The 2020 NEC Section 230.67 requires that a Type 1 or 2 SPD be installed on the main electrical line and at the interior electrical panel.
Homeowners cannot simply use point-of-use strips to comply. They will not divert electrical surges away from the home as well as Type 1 or 2 SPDs. The strips only manage power surges at the point of use and protect only the devices plugged into the strip.
How Are Surge Protection Devices Different?
A Type 1 surge protection device is used for the main electrical line. It is installed outside on the main line to prevent a power surge from reaching your interior breaker panel. It redirects external voltage surges to the ground outside your home. A Type 1 SPD is considered your first line of defense against electrical damage, fires, and explosions.
A Type 2 surge protection device is installed on your interior breaker panel. It redirects power surges caused by residual exterior surges and high-voltage transients inside the home. High-voltage transients may include surges from your electronics, appliances, or HVAC system.
These devices use a clamping principle to redirect high voltage to the ground. They can suppress internal switching transients, such as pump switches or compressor starts. They also protect your sensitive electronics, including EV chargers or smart home installations.
Why Does Florida’s Hurricane Season Make This New Installation Worth It?
During Florida’s hurricane season, strong storms can increase extreme voltage spikes. Utility grid instability, lightning, and downed power lines increase these risks. Surge protection for your entire home can improve electrical safety during these storms. It can divert high voltage away from your home and toward the ground. Without it, your home and electrical system are at risk. It may also give you discounts on your homeowner’s insurance.
How Much Damage Can a Power Surge Cause?
In under a minute, a power surge can cause thousands of dollars in damage. It can melt internal wiring, destroy your computers and servers, and damage circuit boards. A power surge can cause slow degradation of vital components in electronics and appliances. The most severe power surges can cause electrical fires and explosions, leading to the total loss of your home.
Are Power Strips Necessary, Too?
Yes, while power strips cannot protect against all electrical surges, they can protect points of use. You can plug them into your outlets and protect the devices connected to them. You can also turn off the strips when you aren’t using them to cut off the electrical supply.
We can install specialty power strips with outlets designed specifically for your smartphones. Charging stations are helpful and charge your devices efficiently. We can install these specialty outlets in your primary living spaces or any room you prefer.
Do You Need a Permit For This Installation?
Yes, a permit is required for these installations. We will secure the permit to install your new system and protect your home. The National Electrical Code and Florida Building Code require these installations to meet all standards. Inspections are also necessary to ensure compliance with these electrical and building codes.
We will manage the permit and inspections for you. We will ensure that your new installation meets all code requirements, and your home is compliant.
How Can Mister Sparky Protect Your Home?
We know how important whole home surge protection is for your home. Our licensed and bonded electricians have the skills to complete electrical installations. They will manage the entire electrical project for you, including securing permits and managing inspections.
At Mister Sparky, we can install whole home surge protection for your entire property. We offer Type 1 and 2 surge protection devices, as well as power strips, to fully protect your home. Our technicians can explain how we install each device and the benefits of our services. Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky.
