What is a Surge Protector and The Types?
Not all surge protection is the same — here's the difference between a plug-in power strip and a whole-house system, and which appliances actually need one.
What a Surge Protector Actually Does
A surge protector monitors the electricity flowing to whatever it's connected to and diverts excess voltage — from a storm, a grid switching event, or a faulty line — away from the appliance and into a ground wire before it can cause damage. Without one, a voltage spike lasting only a fraction of a second can fry sensitive components inside a device permanently.
What Needs Protection
Anything with a motor or sensitive electronics benefits from surge protection: kitchen appliances like ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers, HVAC equipment, washers and dryers, refrigerators, and entertainment electronics, along with computers, printers, modems, and other networking equipment that's expensive to replace. Power tools with electric motors, like saws and other yard or shop equipment, also run safer behind a surge protector, since a sudden power spike can cause a motor to draw far more current than it's built for.
Strip Protectors vs. Whole-House Protectors
A strip protector is a small plug-in device with several protected outlets, suited for a cluster of electronics like a home office or entertainment center. A whole-house protector is installed near the breaker box and protects everything on the electrical panel at once, including hardwired appliances like a furnace or well pump that a strip protector can't reach. Many properties benefit from using both — a whole-house unit as the first line of defense, with strip protectors on top for the most sensitive individual devices.
Part of a Larger System
Surge protection is one of five core components in a full lightning protection system, alongside air terminals, main conductors, grounding, and bonding. On its own, a surge protector guards your electronics from voltage spikes — but it doesn't replace a full system if your building is exposed to direct strikes.
Get It Installed
RS Lightning Protection installs surge protection devices and complete lightning protection systems across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia. Call 1-866-415-2231 to find out what your property needs.
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