Jacqueline
Deputy Writer from Forbes.com, at ForbesMeet Jacqueline, the deputy writer and editor extraordinaire hailing from Boston. With a decade of experience under her belt at Forbes.com, where she most recently served as editor, Jacqueline is no stranger to the world of lifestyle publications. Her expertise spans a wide range of topics, from product reviews to how-to guides, and she approaches each assignment with a keen eye for detail and a dedication to excellence. When she's not crafting compelling content, Jacqueline...
Jacqueline
Deputy Writer from Forbes.com, at ForbesMeet Jacqueline, the deputy writer and editor extraordinaire hailing from Boston. With a decade of experience under her belt at Forbes.com, where she most recently served as editor, Jacqueline is no stranger to the world of lifestyle publications. Her expertise spans a wide range of topics, from product reviews to how-to guides, and she approaches each assignment with a keen eye for detail and a dedication to excellence. When she's not crafting compelling content, Jacqueline...
Power surges and lightning strikes are at risk in a whole-house surge protector. A power strip can prevent damage to a number of electrical appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, and freezers, among others.
Surge protectors are most commonly installed behind the panel of an electric panel or directly on the circuit breakers located near the main service panel.
Alternatively, if an outlet on the power strip is shared by two pieces of equipment, that can be protected with an “in-line power strip.”
When either of the electronic parts fails, only one appliance is affected.
Whole-Home Surge Protector Worth It
Surge Protector: What does it do?
Electrical equipment can be protected from power surges by surge protectors. To protect against sudden surges in electric voltage, the device redirects electricity to metal oxide varistors inside when it detects a surge or spike above the set level. These events can cause damage, but it minimizes the damage.
Several outlets are located on both sides of these stylish little black boxes; some models are already mounted on a wall! As long as the electronic devices plugged into them are protected from harm, you can rest easy.
How does an entire house surge protector work?
Those housing surge protection work similarly, but are built to handle a lot of power surges. Additionally, all appliances and devices are protected from surges by the whole home surge protector reviews. I find it strange too!
Smart surge protection protects sensitive electronics and important appliances from damage caused by electrical storms or other events causing a sudden voltage shift.
Protecting the entire house from surges
For whole house surge protectors, most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional electrician. Because it can be difficult to access the main panel box for your house, this is for a good reason.
It is still possible to electrocute and even die from live wires in the box, even when the main power switch is off. You may choose to do the job yourself, despite these risks if it doesn’t cost too much or entail too much trouble for any of the following reasons:
- Installation of all the systems at once instead of doing them one by one can result in money savings.
- Wishing there was a greater level of control over the wiring.
- Electrical work interests me (which, like all other professions, has its hazards).
A power outlet must be nearby.
The installation of whole-house surge protectors will make your family and home feel safer.
You can do it this way!
A list of tools is provided below for installing a surge protector on a primary panel.
- Flathead screwdriver and screws
- Wire strippers
- Needle nose pliers
- Electrical tape
- Flashlight
- Hammer and nails
- Cordless drill or driver
- Voltage detector
The Surge Protector can be mounted on the main panel box if you follow these steps
Here is the first step. Disconnecting the main power source
Make sure to turn off the main electric switch outside the electric panel before you begin your home improvement project for safety reasons.
- A fault will stop all electricity from flowing, preventing any dangers such as electrocution and fire.
- Then, first, check if a voltage detector has indicated that the voltage is safe and if breakers are present at each breaker slot so they can be safely reconnected.
- Touching live wires is dangerous! In case you plan on setting up the surge protector yourself, take the time to make sure it’s set up correctly.
Make sure to consult an electrician before you make any connections if you don’t feel confident about doing so.
This is step two. How to mount a surge protector
Simply knock the side of your surge protector gently with your fist to create a hole where your surge protector’s wires can pass. Connect everything by inserting the end of the wire into the opening and leading it along the front side.
- Using a screwdriver or a drill, close any remaining holes so the installation is done!
- When your surge protector is mounted outside the panel, you can easily access it and ensure that your plugged-in devices will be protected to the fullest. Make sure that you read installation instructions thoroughly before you install anything!
- Complete the installation of the surge protector for the whole house
- You can connect the surge protector to the panel box using four wires.
- The ground is the green wire
- A white wire is a neutral wire
- Connect 2 black wires to complete the circuit
This is the third step. Wires that connect surge protectors should be cut off
- The wire end must be inserted into an area of the stripper that reads 14 AWG. Including the strip gauge in the measurement will keep your cable from being damaged and will help keep the surge protector’s effectiveness up.
- To connect the ground bus bar to the green wire, connect the ground bus bar to the right side of the board
- The neutral white wire needs to be connected to the right (along with other white wires).
- By connecting the two black wires to a dipole circuit breaker near the power wires, it is best to install it close to the main power wires
This is the fourth step. Panel cover should be replaced and tested
Reinstall the panel cover carefully after connecting your wires (be sure not to flip any breaker switches). All other screws should be replaced after the four main screws are replaced.
- Replace these few components without leaving any gaps.
- Once you have turned off the main breaker, you can turn it back on!
- With a screwdriver, connect two black wire leads from the dipole switch’s circuit board.
Make sure the lights and digital displays show as recommended in the owner’s manual now; the surge protector must function properly before power can flow through without being damaged.
Power surges aren’t caused just by lightning, even though they are a serious problem for many electronics.Is there a benefit to having a surge protector throughout the house?
Additionally, surges in electricity are very likely to cause damage to your home that is not covered by your insurance policy.
In general, they are quite expensive, but the peace of mind alone would be worth all the expense!