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Great Reasons To Install A Whole House Surge Protector

The value of whole house surge protectors is immeasurable. via_Now_Toronto.jpg

Nearby lightning strikes, large equipment cycling on and off at nearby factories, downed power lines and even powering up or down your larger appliances in your own home are all sources of power surges.

I had a whole-house surge suppressor professionally installed in my home less than a year ago while the electrician was on-site preparing the wiring and breakers for my natural gas range to be installed.

I am convinced it was a very good investment. Here are a few reasons why…

Most of today’s modern appliances have microprocessors and our house is certainly no exception. Here are the following major items I felt needed protection from surges and nearby lightning strikes:

our_electric_circuit_panel_box.JPG

  • computers

  • monitors

  • printer/fax

  • televisions

  • new gas range

  • new washer

  • new dryer

  • new HVAC system

Now if you figure the cost of repair or, most likely, replacement of any one of those items and it will probably far exceed the $208 I spent on the installment of the surge protector that comes with a lifetime warranty backed by Mr. Electric. The unit I had installed, the Surgeassure TE1C40, is known as a “main zone protector” or “load center protection” and is warranted to protect motor-driven appliances in residential and light commercial applications against electrical power surge damage, including lightning, from entering through the main electrical service panel. It is also warranted to protect against surge for major household electrical and electronic equipment for 10 years when installed by a qualified electrician.

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Here are the features and benefits from the makers of the surge arrester (Advanced Protection Technologies, Inc.) I had installed in the circuit breaker panel box:

  • UL listed surge protection

  • Rated for single phase panels up to 400 amps

  • Installation flexibility

  • Audible alarm

  • Internal diagnostics

  • Ground status monitoring

  • 10 year product warranty

  • 10 year $100,000 connected equipment warranty

Photo at top via Now Magazine-Toronto.

Related Links

How to Choose Surge Protection for Your Home

General Household Electrical Safety Guidelines: AFCI’s (arc fault circuit interrupters), GFCI’s (ground fault circuit interrupters) and more.

Randy Boerstler

Writing a home building blog that chronicles new homes during different phases of construction from a consumers' point-of-view is rather unique and loads of fun. Basically, my tips are a collection of checklists for what I think should (and should not) go into building a quality home. So let's have fun seeing what's new in the housing market these days!

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  • Eddie Douglas

    You cannot install devices in electrical panels, that’s why there is a nipple on the device, for surge protection, wires need be as short as possible and installed closest to the main and have UL 1449 listing. as far as the ground and neutrals, this is a main, at the main they are bonded together, ( green screw) once past the main , they cannot be bonded together. you get what you get for $208.00

  • Eddie Douglas

    You cannot install devices in electrical panels, that’s why there is a nipple on the device, for surge protection, wires need be as short as possible and installed closest to the main and have UL 1449 listing. as far as the ground and neutrals, this is a main, at the main they are bonded together, ( green screw) once past the main , they cannot be bonded together. you get what you get for $208.00

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