Why Do I Need a Surge Protector?
A single voltage spike can destroy thousands of dollars in electronics in an instant — a surge protector is inexpensive insurance against it.
The Risk to Your Electronics
A sudden voltage spike from the grid, a nearby lightning strike, or a fault on the line can damage or destroy computers, TVs, and other electronics in an instant. Without a surge protector in place, there's nothing standing between that spike and the sensitive components inside your appliances — and modern electronics, packed with delicate circuitry, are often less forgiving of a spike than older equipment was.
What a Good Surge Protector Provides
Beyond the basic function of diverting excess voltage away from connected devices, many surge protectors also guard phone, TV, and internet lines, which can carry a surge into your equipment through cabling rather than the power outlet. Look for a unit rated for your specific electronics load, and replace it after it absorbs a major surge — most are designed to sacrifice themselves to protect what's plugged into them, and a surge protector that's already taken a hit offers less protection going forward.
Where to Use One
At minimum, plug sensitive electronics — computers, routers, TVs, and gaming systems — into a surge protector rather than directly into the wall outlet. For whole-home coverage, including hardwired appliances like a furnace, well pump, or central air unit, a panel-level surge protector installed at the breaker box covers everything on the circuit at once, adding a layer of protection that individual strip units can't provide on their own.
Part of a Complete Lightning Protection Plan
Surge protection guards against voltage spikes traveling through your wiring, but it isn't a substitute for a full lightning protection system if your building is at risk of a direct strike — that requires air terminals, conductors, and grounding as well. Think of surge protection as one layer of a broader plan rather than the whole solution on its own.
Talk to a Local Provider
RS Lightning Protection has been protecting homes and businesses across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia from lightning-related damage for years. Call 1-866-415-2231 to learn more about surge protection and full system options.
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