Whole Home Surge Protection Installation Durham, NC
Lightning, storms and even your own AC can send spikes of voltage through your wiring. Brian Electric installs whole home surge protectors in Durham and nearby towns. We check your panel and ground first, so the device can do its job.
- Licensed in North Carolina
- Type 1 and Type 2 installed
- Permit and inspection handled
How It Works
What a Whole Home Surge Protector Does
A power surge is a quick spike of extra voltage. It lasts less than a second, but it can damage the boards inside your TV, furnace or fridge.
A whole home surge protector sits where power enters your home. When a spike comes down the line, the device sends the extra voltage to ground before it reaches your outlets. As a licensed electrician in Durham, NC, we install two types.
Type 1 Surge Protector at the Meter
- Where it goes
- At the meter, or ahead of the main breaker
- What it stops
- Big surges from the power lines, like a lightning strike nearby, before they reach the panel
Type 2 Surge Protector at the Panel
- Where it goes
- On or next to your breaker panel
- What it stops
- Surges from outside, plus the spikes made inside the house, on every circuit in the panel
All major brands. Already bought one? We can install it.
- Eaton
- Square D
- Siemens
- Leviton
The Causes
Where Power Surges Come From in Durham Homes
Most people think of lightning. That is the big one, and summer storms are common in Durham. But many surges start inside your own home, each time a large motor turns on.
Surges From Outside Your Home
These are rare, but they hit hard.
- Lightning that strikes near your home or the power lines
- Storms that bring trees down on the lines
- Power rushing back on after an outage
- Utility work and switching on the grid
Surges From Inside Your Home
These are small, but they happen every day.
- The AC or heat pump starting up
- Fridge and freezer motors turning on and off
- Washers, dryers and well pumps
- Loose or damaged wiring
One small surge does no harm you can see. Hundreds of them over the years wear down the circuit boards inside your appliances, so they fail sooner than they should.
Best Setup
Two Layers of Protection
No single device stops every surge. The best setup uses a whole home device and plug-in protectors together.
Protection at the Meter and Panel
A whole home device takes the big hit before it spreads through your wiring. It guards things you cannot plug into a power strip, like your furnace, AC, water heater and oven.
Plug-In Protectors for Your Electronics
A small amount of voltage can still get past the panel. A plug-in surge protector catches it right at the TV, computer or gaming system. Look for a joule rating and a UL 1449 label on the box. A plain power strip without them adds outlets, not protection.
- Surge comes in
At the meter Type 1
Stops: Big surges from the power lines
At the panel Type 2
Stops: Surges from outside and inside the house
At the outlet Plug-in
Stops: What is left, right next to your electronics
- Your home and devices
What It Covers
What a Surge Protector Covers in Your Durham Home
A whole home device guards everything wired to your panel, not just what is plugged into a strip. Here is what is worth protecting in most homes.
Heating and Cooling
Your AC, heat pump and furnace all have control boards. They are some of the costliest parts to replace in a home.
Kitchen Appliances
Fridges, ovens, dishwashers and microwaves now run on circuit boards and touch panels.
Washer and Dryer
Front load washers and newer dryers have electronic controls that do not like spikes.
TVs and Home Office
TVs, computers, printers and your internet modem. Add plug-in protectors here too.
EV Charger
A Level 2 charger and the car plugged into it both have costly electronics inside.
Smart Home and Garage
Smart thermostats, doorbells, security systems and garage door openers.
The Work
How We Install Surge Protectors in Durham, NC
Most installs take one visit. You get a price before we start, and we explain what we found along the way.
Step 1
Check the Panel and Grounding
We open the panel and look at its age, brand and open spaces. Then we check the ground rod, ground wire and bonding.
Price before work starts
Step 2
Pick the Spot and Mount the Device
A Type 2 device goes on or next to your panel. A Type 1 goes at the meter or ahead of the main breaker. Short wires help it work better.
Panel or meter
Step 3
Connect and Test
The power is off for a short time while we connect it. Then we turn it back on and check that the status light shows it is working.
Short power off
Step 4
Permit and Inspection
When a permit is needed, we pull it and set up the inspection. You do not have to call the city or county.
We handle it
Why we check the ground first
A surge protector works by sending extra voltage to ground. If the ground wire is loose, rusted or missing, the voltage has nowhere safe to go, and the device cannot do its job. Older homes often need a ground fix before a surge protector makes sense. If yours does, we tell you and add it to the quote.
Good Timing
When Durham Homeowners Should Add Surge Protection
You can add a surge protector any time. These three moments make it an easy add.
With a Panel Upgrade
Code calls for itThe electrical code now calls for a surge protector when a home's service equipment is replaced. So if you are planning a panel upgrade, we add one as part of the job.
When You Add an EV Charger
Little extra timeA charger and the car are a big investment. Since we are already working in the panel for your EV charger installation, adding a surge protector takes little extra time.
After a Storm or Surge
Protect what is leftLost a TV, a modem or an AC board in a storm? Protect what is left before the next one. If outlets are dead or a breaker will not reset, call our emergency electrician line first.
Upkeep
How Long a Surge Protector Lasts
A surge protector wears down a little with every surge it stops. One big hit, like a lightning strike nearby, can use it up all at once.
Check the Status Light
Most panel devices have a light on the front. Look at it a few times a year and after every big storm. It only takes a few seconds.
When to Replace It
If the light is off or the alarm sounds, call us. We swap the old unit for a new one, often in the same spot, and test it before we leave.
Status light
Service Area
Surge Protection Installation in Durham and the Triangle
We are based in Durham and install surge protectors in homes all over the Triangle. Not sure if we come to your town? Call and ask.
Neighborhoods We Serve
View All Service AreasFAQ
Surge Protection FAQs
Not sure which surge protector your home needs? Call and tell us about your panel, and we will tell you what comes next.
Call (984) 271-2113What is the difference between a power strip and a surge protector?
A power strip only gives you more outlets. A surge protector has parts inside that absorb spikes. Check the box for a joule rating and a UL 1449 label. If it has neither, it is just a power strip.
Can I install a whole home surge protector myself?
We do not recommend it. The work is inside your panel or meter, and some parts stay live even with the main breaker off. It may also need a permit. A licensed electrician should do it.
Does code require a surge protector in my Durham home?
The electrical code calls for one when a home gets new service equipment or has it replaced, like during a panel upgrade. If you are not changing your panel, you do not have to add one, but it is still worth having.
Will the power be off during the install?
Yes, for a short time while we connect the device. We tell you before we turn it off, so you can save your work and plan around it.
Will a surge protector stop a direct lightning strike?
No device can promise that. A direct strike carries more energy than any home surge protector can handle. It does protect well against nearby strikes and the everyday surges that wear out your appliances.
Do I still need plug-in surge protectors?
Yes, for your TV, computer and other costly electronics. The whole home device takes the big hit, and the plug-in one catches what is left right at the device.
Can you install a surge protector I already bought?
Yes. Tell us the brand and model when you call. We check that it fits your panel and is the right type before we install it.
What if my panel has no open spaces?
We can often free up space or mount the device next to the panel. If the panel is old or full, we explain your options, including a panel upgrade with surge protection added.